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Investigation of the Solidification of Sugar-Beeswax Mixture Using Smart Molds

Investigation of the Solidification of Sugar-Beeswax Mixture Using Smart Molds. Barry Johnson Suzanne Sachsman Albert Chmelar TAMPL Summer Research Program June 5, 1998. Overview. Background information Experimental procedure Data analysis Closing remarks. Introduction.

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Investigation of the Solidification of Sugar-Beeswax Mixture Using Smart Molds

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  1. Investigation of the Solidification of Sugar-Beeswax Mixture Using Smart Molds Barry Johnson Suzanne Sachsman Albert Chmelar TAMPL Summer Research Program June 5, 1998

  2. Overview • Background information • Experimental procedure • Data analysis • Closing remarks

  3. Introduction • Two microstructures commonly found are crystalline and amorphous • We investigated both types in this experiment (beeswax and sugar) • Cooling rates greatly affect the resulting microstructure in crystalline solids, and have no affect on the microstructure of non-crystalline solids • This experiment’s goal was to investigate the resulting microstructure of a beeswax/sugar-water solution solid

  4. Background Information • Beeswax is an amorphous solid, and has a homogeneous structure • Crystalline sugar however has a non-homogeneous microstructure • The combination of these two elements into one solid solution creates an interesting mix

  5. Experimental Procedure • Use rapid prototyping to construct smart mold with inserted thermocouple

  6. Experimental Procedure • Add minimum water needed to completely wet sugar • Heat solution on hotplate until the water evaporates and the sugar begins to boil • Monitor temperature of solution using thermocouple • Add beeswax pellets to the boiling sugar solution when desired temperature is obtained • When wax is melted, pour solution into smart mold

  7. Experimental Procedure • Record temperature using FLUKE apparatus over measured time interval • After cooling, remove hardened sample from mold • Examine microstructure of the solid using microscope,CCD camera and image processing software

  8. Quantitative Data • Initial measurements: 4 tablespoons sugar 20 ml water 40 ml beeswax pellets • Viscosity of sugar solution increased as temperature increased • Sugar became darker as temperature increased • Added wax pellets when sugar was amber in color at 180°C • Boiled wax/sugar solution for 15 min while stirring

  9. Cooling Temperature Plot

  10. Results • Resulting solid consisted of two layers Top layer: light brown - beeswax Bottom layer: dark brown - sugar

  11. Beeswax Microstructure • Homogeneous - uniform in structure • Non-crystalline • Surface roughness • Dull

  12. Sugar Microstructure • Crystalline • Impurities (Gas Bubbles) • Hard and brittle • Shiny

  13. Discussion • Sugar melted at high temperatures undergoes transformation • Microstructure provides evidence that wax did not dissolve in sugar solution • In certain proportions, wax may be soluble in sugar solution • Mold with larger surface area and smaller volume creates steep cooling curve

  14. Conclusion • Final microstructure of wax/sugar solution dependent on temperature and proportion of each component • Further research necessary to determine heat treatments for optimal mixture • Additional experimentation could develop heat treatments for desired microstructures

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