Weather testing of polymers

Okay kiddo, so when we want to make sure that things made from plastic (like toys, water bottles or even car parts) can withstand different types of weather, we need to test them.

Imagine going to the park to play with your ball. If it’s a hot and sunny day, your ball might expand and sometimes even burst! And if it’s really cold and windy, your ball might become brittle and break easily.

The same thing can happen to plastic toys or car parts that are left outside.

So scientists use special machines to test how different types of weather affect the plastic materials. They can simulate cold temperatures, intense solar radiation, and even high humidity levels.

They put small samples of the plastic material in the testing machine and run different types of weather conditions over them. They then observe what happens to the material. Does it change color, expand or shrink? Does it crack or break?

By testing the plastic material this way, scientists can figure out what types of weather the material can handle without breaking or losing its strength. Then companies can use this information to make better products that last longer and don't get damaged by different types of weather.

And that's how weather testing of polymers work!