Based on the statement below, answer a-e. High density polyethylene (HDPE) fiber is used as liners for surgical gloves. Although the liner has a very high resistance to being cut, the polymer allows a surgeon to maintain a delicate sense of touch. The HDPE liner is usually rigid and not flexible. a. Suggest a reason why low density polyethylene, LDPE cannot be used. b. Give a molecular level reason why HDPE is successful in this application. c. How does the molecular-level structure of HDPE and LDPE influence their physical properties? d. How do chemists control the production of LDPE and HDPE? e. Besides the extent of branching, what are other structural parameters that might lead to differences in physical properties of LDPE and HDPE?
Based on the statement below, answer a-e.
High density polyethylene (HDPE) fiber is used as liners for surgical gloves.
Although the liner has a very high resistance to being cut, the
allows a surgeon to maintain a delicate sense of touch. The HDPE liner is
usually rigid and not flexible.
a. Suggest a reason why low density polyethylene, LDPE cannot be used.
b. Give a molecular level reason why HDPE is successful in this
application.
c. How does the molecular-level structure of HDPE and LDPE influence their physical properties?
d. How do chemists control the production of LDPE and HDPE?
e. Besides the extent of branching, what are other structural parameters that might lead to differences in physical properties of LDPE and HDPE?
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