|
Floor Polish Experiments
|
This experiment is courtesy of 
|
|
|
Come Shine with Us:
Floor Polish Testing and
Industrial
Science To Teach Critical Thinking
|
Developers:
|
|
Sr. Christine Konopelski, SSJ
Holy Cross School
Philadelphia, PA
|
Dr. Allen Marks
Rohm and Haas Company
Spring House, PA
|
|
Consultants:
|
|
Karl Hartman
Rohm and Haas Company
Spring House, PA
|
Charles O' Farrell
Rohm and Haas Company
Spring House, PA
|
|
Grade
Levels:
|
|
Middle School (6-7-8)
|
|
Disciplines:
|
|
Household Chemistry, Scientific
Method, Problem Solving
|
|
Goals:
|
|
1.
|
To understand how science
relates to everyday life
|
2.
|
To build in students a
natural curiosity about products in the world
around them
|
3.
|
To develop basic scientific
problem solving skills through
experimentation
|
|
|
Specific
Objectives:
|
|
- To learn testing procedures used
in an industrial laboratory.
- To compare various brands of
household and industrial floor polishes based on testing
for durability (water, soil, scratch, detergent, and
black heel resistance) and appearance (gloss, tack,
slip)
- To alter the formulation of a
floor polish and to check its performance.
|
|
Background:
|
|
Floor polish is an easily accessible
material and a common household product. It is used both to
protect as well as to beautify a floor. A polish's
durability or resistance to scratches, detergents, soil,
water, and black heel marks as well as its gloss, tack and
slip resistance are all important properties for
consumers.
A floor polish formulation or recipe
consists mainly of a polymer (the main film forming
component) and water (the carrier for the emulsion). In
addition, there are a variety of "salt and pepper"
ingredients that appear in very small amounts but which are
essential for the overall performance of the product. They
include such things as wax, wetting agents, defoamers,
preservatives, solvents, leveling agents and stabilizers. In
Part 2 of this experiment, students will have the
opportunity to alter the formulation of a floor polish by
adding small amounts of other ingredients and observing the
effects of these additives on the properties of the floor
polish.
Manufacturers produce both household
and industrial strength floor polishes. Household polishes
tend to be lower in cost, have poorer water and detergent
resistance, but have extremely high gloss and removability.
In comparison, industrial polishes have higher durability
and are more useful in heavy traffic areas such as school
halls. Household polishes can also be identified as
redispersable and non-redispersable. Redispersable polishes,
such as Perk� or Brite� dissolve the base coat when
a new coat is added. Any solids on the polish are dispersed
with the new coat, resulting in a new, clean single coating
of polish. In Part 1 of this experiment, students will have
the opportunity to compare and measure the different
properties of household and industrial floor
polishes.
|
|
Suggested
Timeline:
|
|
The following experiments were
developed to be used in conjunction with one another.
However, if time constraints make that difficult, Part 1 and
Part 2 could be done independent of one another. The teacher
would need to introduce the testing procedures developed in
Part 1, possibly as classroom demonstrations, in order for
the students to be successful in Part 2.
The following is a suggested timeline
for the use of all experiments in Parts 1 and 2. A class
period of 50 minutes is assumed for each day.
|
Day
1:
|
|
Tile Preparation
a. Discuss floor polish
background, testing, and hypotheses
b. Teacher preparation &emdash; Tiles for Parts 1 and
2
|
Day
2:
|
|
Performance testing (Part
1)
a. Polish application and wet
appearance
b. Test #1: Tack
c. Test #2: Water Resistance
|
Day
3:
|
|
Performance Testing (Part
1)
a. Test #3: Gloss
b. Test #4: Fingernail Scratch
c. Test #5: Detergent Resistance
d. Test #6: Soil Resistance
|
Day
4:
|
|
Performance Testing (Part
1)
a. Teacher Demonstrations
(1) Test #7: Black Heel Resistance
(2) Test #8: Slip Resistance
b. Discuss results and conclusions of Part 1
c. Teacher Preparation of solutions for Part 2:
Discuss choice of additives and hypotheses
|
Day
5:
|
|
Repeat Day 2 testing with Part 2
solutions
|
Day
6:
|
|
Repeat Day 3 testing with Part 2
solutions
|
Day
7:
|
|
Wrap up
a. Discuss results and
conclusions for Part 2
b. Discuss extension activities.
|
|
Management
Suggestions:
|
|
1. Group
Roles: These experiments can
best be done with teams of 5 students, each student being
assigned a specific role.
Group Leader: monitors the
group's progress and their attention to task; communicates
difficulties to the supervisor (the teacher); encourages
full group participation
Senior Scientist: main experimenter
Junior Scientist: assists senior scientist in active
experimentation
Technician A: takes care of all equipment needs
Technician B: reads directions and records data
2. Each team of students will need 4
black tiles and 4 white tiles to complete all of Part 1 and
Part 2 testing. The best tiles to purchase for testing are
unfinished, vinyl composition tiles with no urethane
coating. Kentile� solid black and white tiles can be
used, as well as Armstrong feature tiles which are available
from Color Tile� stores or from the factory:
Armstrong World Industries
Customer Response Center
P.O. Box 3001
Lancaster, PA 17604
1-800-233-3823
3. Lining the table tops with
newspaper or paper towels will help with cleanup after the
tile preparation and polish application.
4. Labeling of the tiles is important
to assure good interpretation of results.
The teacher might discuss how incorrect labeling could lead
to faulty conclusions by the scientist.
5. Test #1 and #2 are performed
immediately or shortly (a few minutes) after polish
application. Therefore, it is important for the students to
know the testing procedures before the polish
application.
6. At the end of the experiments,
tiles may be stripped with a solution of Spic and Span�
and household ammonia. They can then be reused for the same
set of experiments.
|
|
Materials:
|
|
Part 1 Testing:
1 black floor tile
|
Spic & Span�
(liquid)
|
1 white floor tile
|
index cards
|
ruler
|
masking tape
|
straws or popsicle
sticks
|
rubber gloves
|
Scotch� tape
|
potting soil
|
thick black marker
|
spoon
|
sponge
|
eye droppers
|
water
|
paper towels
|
gauze pads (2" x 2")
|
china marker
|
3M� cleaning pads
|
|
4 brands Household floor
polish
(Possibly: Mop & Glo�, Future�,
Perk�, Klear�)
|
1 brand of Industrial Floor
Polish
(Check the Janitor's supply closet; Possibly: Brite
'N Easy� or Mannington�)
|
Part 2 Testing:
all materials from Part
1
|
sugar
|
3 black tiles
|
salt
|
3 white tiles
|
stirrers
|
graduated cylinder
|
labels
|
small glass jars with
lids
|
teaspoon
|
liquid hand soap
(unthickened)
|
glycerine (available from
drug store)
|
Teacher Demonstrations:
box with lid (sweater box
size)
3 white tiles
piece of white paper
3 black rubber heels
|
|
Procedure:
|
|
Title Preparation: Part 1 & 2
(Teacher Preparation)
1.
|
Prepare a double
concentration solution of Spic & Span�
according to the directions on the
container.
|
2.
|
Wearing rubber gloves and using a 3M� cleaning
pad, scrub each black and white tile clean using
the concentrated solution. (This will remove the
factory rotective coating from the tile.) Use long
up and down strokes. Turn the tile 90 degrees and
repeat the scrub procedure. Rinse tiles with water
and a clean sponge. Wash gloves to be reused for
polish application.
|
3.
|
Divide each black tile into six test sections using
scotch tape. These sections will later become 5
test areas for polishes A through E in Part 1 and
test areas for new test solutions 1 through 4 in
Part 2. Each tile will also include a control area.
(See Figure 1)
|
|
4.
|
Using a china marker, label the back, top righthand
corner of one of the black tiles with the letter
"A" for Part 1 testing. Label the back, top
righthand corner of the other black tile with the
number "l" for Part 2 testing. This will assure
correct location of the test sections when applying
the polish. (See Figure 2.)
|
5.
|
Divide each white tile in a
similar manner using masking tape. Label the back
of the tile. See steps 3 and 4.
|
6.
|
Identify by letter the
polishes to be used and record.
Polish A -
____________
Polish B -
____________
Polish C -
____________
Polish D -
____________
Polish E -
____________
|
|
Polish
Apoplication:
|
|
Part 1
1.
|
Using gloves, apply 30 drops
or 1.5 mL of the appropriate polish to the assigned
section of each black and white tile. Be sure to
check the labeling position on the back to assure
the correct placement of polish. Puddle the polish
in the center of the areas to be coated. Use a
2"x2" gauze pad to absorb as much polish as
possible. Then disperse the polish evenly over the
surface with up and down and then crosswise
strokes. (Note: Use a clean gauze pad for each
polish application.)
|
2.
|
Note the wet appearance and
record on the data chart.
|
3.
|
Perform Test #1 for Tack and
Test #2 for Water Resistance as described in
procedure below.
|
4.
|
Allow tiles to dry for at
least 24 hours before further testing.
|
5.
|
When tiles are dry, letter
identifications of test sections may be placed on
the front of the tiles for easier identification of
test areas.
|
|
Questions:
|
|
(Set #1)
1.
|
Why do people polish floors?
As a consumer, what would your family look for in a
good floor polish? What would the janitor in your
school look for in a good industrial floor
polish?
|
2.
|
What controls are used in
setting up comparison testing of products? Why do
scientists use controls?
|
3.
|
What are the variables that
may affect the results?
|
4.
|
How is labeling an important
part of experimentation?
|
5.
|
What do you hypothesize will
be the difference between various household floor
polishes? Between household and industrial floor
polish?
|
|
Part
1:
|
|
Performance Testing of Floor
Polish
Testing Location
Diagram &endash; (Figure 3
below shows possible sites for Tests #1 through #5 which are
all performed on a black tile.)
Test #1: Tack
This test rates how fast the polish
film dries. Polishes need time for the film to build
hardness in order for the maximum strength of the polish to
be reached. Many consumers want a fast drying polish.
- Apply floor polish to the
appropriate section and allow it to dry for 7
minutes.
- Touch your finger to the lower
corner of each test section. Determine and record the
rate of drying or tack using the following scale:
5 - Excellent; completely dry
4 - Very good; slightly tacky
3 - Good; fingerprint mark is left when touched
2 - Fair; fingerprint mark is left and tile is wet to
touch
1 - Poor; completely wet, polish did not dry
Test #2: Water
Resistance
- This test determines what would
happen if water was spilled on a freshly polished
surface. The longer a film is allowed to harden or dry,
the greater should be its water resistance.
- After applying the floor polish,
wait 5 to 10 minutes until the film is dry. This timing
can happen simultaneously with Test #1 for Tack.
- Using a china marker, draw a
circle about the size of a quarter on the bottom of each
test section.
- Place 8 drops of water inside the
circle and allow it to remain undisturbed for 20
minutes.
- Afterwards, blot the water with a
paper towel and examine the film in the circle for
whitening. Determine and record a rating using the
following scale:
5 - excellent; no change from the
original appearance
4 - very good; faint water outline and film
lightening
3 - Good; some white dots throughout the area
2 - Fair; numerous white dots throughout area
1 - Poor, complete film failure with gross
whitening
Test #3: Gloss
This test rates how shiny the polished
surface is. Many consumers want a high gloss product.
- Prepare a gloss standard title as
follows (This should be done ahead of time by the
teacher):
a. On a prepared black tile, coat each
section, according to the diagram (See Figure 4):
5 - 100% Mop &
Glo�
4 - 75% Mop & Glo�; 25% water
3 - 50% Mop & Glo�; 50% water
2 - 25% Mop & Glo�; 75% water
1 - 0% Mop & Glo�; 100% water
|
|
b. Allow dry time of 24 hours and
apply a second coat. Again allow 24 hours to dry.
- On an index card, print your name
in bold, black letters. At the center bottom edge of the
card, tape a 3 inch piece of a straw or a popsicle stick
to the card as shown. (See Figure 5)
- Place the stick against each
section of the gloss standard and observe the reflection
of the letters. Then using the standard as a basis for
comparison, rate and record the gloss of each test
polish:
5 - Excellent
gloss
4 - Very good
3 - Good
2 - Fair
1 - Poor
|
|
Test #4: Fingernail
Scratch
This test gives some indication of the
hardness of the polish film by determining its resistance to
scratches. This is particularly important in heavy traffic
areas.
- Using the side of you fingernail,
wack the test area 3 or 4 times. Try to be uniform in
pressure.
- Examine the polish film and using
direct comparison between the polishes, rate and record
the results using the following scale:
5 - Excellent, no scratches
4 - Very good
3 - Good
2 - Fair
1 - Poor
Test #5: Detergent Resistance
This test gives some indication of how
well a polish film will hold up to floor washing between
polish applications. Most consumers want the polish to
last.
- Prepare a 10% solution of Spic
& Span� using 10 mL of concentrate to 90 mL of
water.
- Place 5 mL of solution on a 2" x
2" piece of sponge. Wearing gloves, scrub 3 test areas at
a time across the tile with 5 cycles. (Each cycle
consists of a back and forth stroke. Try to be uniform in
pressure.) Wipe with a damp sponge or paper towel and
wave tile for 30 seconds to air dry. Observe closely and
record film appearance.
- Repeat step #2.
- Rate the performance using the
following scale:
5 - Excellent; no film removed
after 10 cycles
4 - Very good; no film removed after 5 cycles, but haze
after 10 cycles
3 - Good; some film removed after 5 cycles and more
removed after 10 cycles
2 - Fair; most film removed after 5 cycles
1 - Poor; all film removed after 5 cycles
Test #6:
Soil Resistance
This test, done on a white tile, gives
some indication of how a polish will hold up to dirt
marks.
- Place a half-teaspoon of potting
soil on each test area. Using a 2" x 2" gauze pad rub the
soil on the tile for 10 cycles. (Each cycle consists of a
back and forth stroke.) After cycle 3 and 6, scrape loose
soil into the test area and continue cycles. Try to be
uniform in pressure.
- With a paper towel, wipe away
loose soil to observe tile.
- Using direct comparison between
the polishes, rate and record the soil resistance using
the following scale:
5 - Excellent; no soil marks
4 - Very good
3 - Good
2 - Fair
1 - Poor
Test #7: Black Heel
Resistance
Teacher
Demonstration - This test will
give some indication of a polish's resistance to heel
marks.
- Scrub a white tile and divide it
in half using masking tape. On one side apply 3 mL of
household polish (ex. Future�) and on the other side
3 mL of industrial polish. Allow 24 hours to dry.
- Use masking tape to secure the
corners of the tile to the bottom of a box. Add 3 black
heels and secure the lid.
- Pass the box around the room. Each
student is asked to shake the box for 1 minute and then
pass it to the next student to do the same. (Hint: Recess
might be a good time to pass the box around!) For best
results at least 15 students need to shake the
box.
- When completed, remove the tile
and examine it closely. A noticeable difference should be
observed.
Test #8: Slip Resistance
Teacher
Demonstration - All
manufactured floor polishes must pass a certain minimum
standard for slip resistance in order to comply with
government safety regulations. A qualitative "paper under
foot" slip resistance test will help students understand
this property.
- Two full white tiles will be
needed for this demonstration. Leave one tile unscrubbed,
with the factory coating still on it. Scrub and prepare
the other tile and coat it with 5 mL of any brand of
floor polish. Allow 24 hours to dry.
- Place both tiles on the floor
against the wall. Put a piece of paper under your shoe
and on top of the tile and slide the paper across the
surface. Compare the polished surface to the factory
coated surface.
- Demonstrate the procedure and
allow each student to test it for themselves.
|
Questions:
|
|
(Set #2)
- What controls are used in each
test? What variables have to be kept constant?
- What properties would you use to
determine the "best" floor polish? Examining the data
from Part 1, which polish would you consider the
"best"?
- Describe how you might quantify
the test for black heel resistance?
- Can you see any differences in
performance between household and industrial floor
polishes? If so, what are they?
- What polish would you suggest
using in your home? Why? What polish would you suggest
using on the school floor? Why?
- Why are some tests done on black
tiles and some on white tiles? Could colored tiles be
used?
|
Part
2:
|
|
Adjusting Properties of Floor
Polish
Preparation of Test Solutions
(Three sets of altered polish
solutions are made for Part 2 experimentation. One set uses
a household floor polish as a base...Future� is
suggested...another uses an industrial polish as a base, and
the last set uses a "Combo" as a base...50% household and
50% industrial. If material or time is a concern, the
teacher may decide to omit the "Combo" set of solutions.)
Preparation of solutions may be done ahead of class by the
teacher.
1. Household Base Test Solutions:
Each solution is prepared in a glass
jar. Contents are stirred vigorously and then covered with a
lid. Contents of the jars are labeled.
Test Solution #1:
Prepare a 2% solution of
liquid hand soap by adding 10 drops of soap to 25 mL of
Future�. (Soap is used during the process of making a
polymer. However, too much soap will negatively affect the
properties of the polish.)
Test Solution #2:
Prepare a 20% salt water
solution by adding 10 g of salt to 40 g of water. Slowly add
a total of 10 drops of this solution to 25 mL of
Future�. Add 3 drops, and then 4 drops at a time,
stirring vigorously until dissolved. (Salt has an ionic
character. Although it is not directly added to a polish
formulation, other ionic materials are added to help
interlock the polymer chains.)
Test Solution #3:
Prepare a 10% sugar solution
by adding a quarter teaspoon or 2 g of sugar to 25 mL of
Future�. (Sugar will directly improve the gloss of a
polish. However, it also has a negative affect on other
properties, besides the fact it is very attractive to the
ant population!)
Test Solution #4:
Prepare a 2% solution of glycerine by adding 10 drops of
glycerine to 25 mL of Future�. (Glycerine slows down the
dry time of a polish. It is similar to propylene glycol,
used as a polish stabilizer, but is more readily available
to teachers.)
2.
Industrial Base Test Solutions:
Prepare these test solutions in the
same way as described for the household base solutions, but
substitute 25 mL of Industrial polish.
3. "Combo" Base Test Solutions:
Mix 100 mL of Industrial polish with
100 mL of Future� floor polish to make the "Combo"
polish solution base. (Note: the teacher may choose to do
this in a larger quantity ahead of time.) Prepare the test
solutions in the same way as described for the household
base solutions, but substitute 25 mL of "Combo".
|
Polish
Application:
|
|
(Part 2)
- Follow the same procedure as in
Part 1. Be careful to place test solutions in correct
areas of tile. (See Figure 6)
- The top middle section is polished
with the base polish used in each set of test solutions
(ex.: Future�, Industrial, "Combo").The bottom middle
section is left unpolished.Both of these areas will serve
as controls for comparison.
- Perform Tests #1 and #2. Record
wet appearance of polish.
- When tiles have dried after 24
hours, carefully label sections for identification. Also
label both black and white tiles as Household,
Industrial, or "Combo".
Performance Testing (Part 2)
Follow all procedures outlined
in Part 1.
|
Questions:
|
|
(Set #3)
- How did each of the following
additives affect the performance of the floor
polish...liquid hand
soap?...salt?...sugar?...glycerine?
- Which of the above additives would
you want to add to a floor polish formulation?
Why?
- Which additives would you not add?
Why?
- Sugar improves the gloss of a
floor polish but is not likely to be added? Can you think
of a reason why you would not want something with sugar
on your floor?
|
Extensions:
|
|
1. After examining all data from Parts
1 & 2, each team of students can develop their own
polish formulation to create the "best" polish. Each team is
asked to:
a. Reassign group
roles to include a Marketing Manager, Advertising Manager,
Technical Adviser, Sales Manager, and Assistant Sales
Manager
b. Market their product and
present supporting data to back their statements
c. Propose a company and product
name
d. Prepare a commercial to sell
their product
e. Create a magazine and/or
newspaper advertisement to sell their new product.
2. Invite an industrial scientist to
your classroom to talk about what he or she does. Contact a
local industry and ask to tour their research
laboratories.
|
Student
Assessment:
|
|
To assess students' growth in
understanding and application of what they have learned,
assign the following as team or individual projects:
- Write written responses to each
set of questions.
- Prepare a written report or orally
present an analysis and interpretation of your results
and findings.
- Design an experiment to test
another commercial product. Be sure to identify various
properties of interest to the consumer. Devise controlled
tests for evaluating the performance of the product and
qualifying the results.
|
Glossary:
|
|
Polymer - A chemical with very large molecules. Floor
polishes, paints, glue, plastics, nylon and chewing gum are
all polymers. In floor polishes, polymers make up at least
50% of the formulation.
Emulsion &endash; A mixture of very small polymer
particles dispersed and suspended in water.
"Salt and Pepper"
Ingredients - Relatively small
amounts of additives which make up the recipe of a floor
polish. They are essential for the overall performance of
the polish. Too much of any one additive, however, will have
a negative affect on the properties of the polish.
a. Wetting Agents -
These are generally soap-like materials which will allow the
polish to wet out over the floor title. However, because
they are like soaps, they will tend to lead to foam
production in the polish bucket or on the floor.
b. Defoamer - This
is an oil-like material which serves to break down foam
bubbles in the polish.
c. Preservatives -
These materials protect the wet polish from bacteria and
fungal microbes.
d. Leveling Agents -
These are used to achieve a smooth polish film surface and
prevent mop application ridge marks after multiple
coatings.
e. Stabilizers -
These are added to help protect a wet polish from
freeze/thaw instability and/or some viscosity or
sedimentation instability on prolonged storage.
f. Wax - This is
added to favorably change the polish's scuff, black heel,
and slip resistance.
g. Solvents - These
are organic materials added to help in film
formation.
|
References:
|
|
1. Literature on floor care and
testing is available through Rohm and Haas Company. Write
for information to:
Marketing Services
Rohm and Haas Company
Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19105
When writing for
information ask for the following:
Floor Care Polymers:
Test Methods for Evaluation of Floor
Polishes,
Rohm and Haas: May, 1990. #83B4
Polymers, Resins and Monomers:
Duraplus,
Rohm and Haas: April,
1989, #83B39
2. Additional literature may be
obtained by calling or writing to the manufacturer of each
floor polish used.
3. Technical references &endash;
See Project LABS Publications, 1989, 1990, 1991. Rohm and
Haas Company, 727 Norristown Road, Spring House, PA
19477.
|
This experiment is courtesy of 
|
|
|