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

Smart MoldsSmart Molds

Barry JohnsonBarry Johnson

Suzanne SachsmanSuzanne Sachsman

Albert ChmelarAlbert Chmelar

TAMPL Summer Research ProgramTAMPL Summer Research Program

June 5, 1998June 5, 1998

Background informationBackground information Experimental procedureExperimental procedure Data analysisData analysis Closing remarksClosing remarks

Overview

IntroductionIntroduction

Two microstructures commonly found are Two microstructures commonly found are crystalline and amorphouscrystalline and amorphous

We investigated both types in this experiment We investigated both types in this experiment (beeswax and sugar)(beeswax and sugar)

Cooling rates greatly affect the resulting Cooling rates greatly affect the resulting microstructure in crystalline solids, and have no microstructure in crystalline solids, and have no affect on the microstructure of non-crystalline affect on the microstructure of non-crystalline solidssolids

This experiment’s goal was to investigate the This experiment’s goal was to investigate the resulting microstructure of a beeswax/sugar-resulting microstructure of a beeswax/sugar-water solution solidwater solution solid

Background InformationBackground Information

Beeswax is an amorphous solid, and has a Beeswax is an amorphous solid, and has a homogeneous structurehomogeneous structure

Crystalline sugar however has a non-Crystalline sugar however has a non-homogeneous microstructure homogeneous microstructure

The combination of these two elements into The combination of these two elements into one solid solution creates an interesting mixone solid solution creates an interesting mix

Experimental ProcedureExperimental Procedure

Use rapid prototyping to construct smart mold Use rapid prototyping to construct smart mold with inserted thermocouple with inserted thermocouple

Experimental ProcedureExperimental Procedure

Add minimum water needed to completely wet Add minimum water needed to completely wet sugarsugar

Heat solution on hotplate until the water Heat solution on hotplate until the water evaporates and the sugar begins to boil evaporates and the sugar begins to boil

Monitor temperature of solution using Monitor temperature of solution using thermocouple thermocouple

Add beeswax pellets to the boiling sugar Add beeswax pellets to the boiling sugar solution when desired temperature is obtainedsolution when desired temperature is obtained

When wax is melted, pour solution into smart When wax is melted, pour solution into smart moldmold

Experimental ProcedureExperimental Procedure

Record temperature using FLUKE apparatus Record temperature using FLUKE apparatus over measured time intervalover measured time interval

After cooling, remove hardened sample from After cooling, remove hardened sample from moldmold

Examine microstructure of the solid using Examine microstructure of the solid using microscope,CCD camera and image processing microscope,CCD camera and image processing softwaresoftware

Quantitative DataQuantitative Data Initial measurements: Initial measurements:

4 tablespoons sugar4 tablespoons sugar

20 ml water20 ml water

40 ml beeswax pellets40 ml beeswax pellets Viscosity of sugar solution increased as temperature Viscosity of sugar solution increased as temperature

increasedincreased Sugar became darker as temperature increasedSugar became darker as temperature increased Added wax pellets when sugar was amber in color at 180°CAdded wax pellets when sugar was amber in color at 180°C Boiled wax/sugar solution for 15 min while stirringBoiled wax/sugar solution for 15 min while stirring

Cooling Temperature PlotCooling Temperature PlotTime v. Temperature

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 100 200 300 400 500 600Time (seconds)

Tem

erat

ure

(deg

rees

C)

ResultsResults

Resulting solid consisted of two layers Resulting solid consisted of two layers Top Top layer: light brown - beeswaxlayer: light brown - beeswax

Bottom layer: dark brown - sugar Bottom layer: dark brown - sugar

Beeswax MicrostructureBeeswax Microstructure

Homogeneous - Homogeneous - uniform in uniform in structurestructure

Non-crystallineNon-crystalline Surface Surface

roughnessroughness DullDull

Sugar MicrostructureSugar Microstructure

Crystalline Crystalline Impurities (Gas Impurities (Gas

Bubbles)Bubbles) Hard and brittle Hard and brittle ShinyShiny

DiscussionDiscussion

Sugar melted at high temperatures Sugar melted at high temperatures undergoes transformationundergoes transformation

Microstructure provides evidence that Microstructure provides evidence that wax did not dissolve in sugar solutionwax did not dissolve in sugar solution

In certain proportions, wax may be In certain proportions, wax may be soluble in sugar solutionsoluble in sugar solution

Mold with larger surface area and Mold with larger surface area and smaller volume creates steep cooling smaller volume creates steep cooling curvecurve

ConclusionConclusion

Final microstructure of wax/sugar solution Final microstructure of wax/sugar solution dependent on temperature and proportion of dependent on temperature and proportion of each componenteach component

Further research necessary to determine heat Further research necessary to determine heat treatments for optimal mixturetreatments for optimal mixture

Additional experimentation could develop heat Additional experimentation could develop heat treatments for desired microstructurestreatments for desired microstructures