The Effect Of Chlorine On The Durability Of Swimsuit Material
School Name
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Consumer Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate swimsuit materials with respect to chlorine and to determine which fabric is more easily disintegrated by chlorine exposure. The independent variable is the swimsuit material; the dependent variables are strength, color, and elasticity. Five swimsuit fabrics were tested: 80% Nylon/ 20% Lycra, 78% Econyl/ 22% Lycra Extra Life Spandex, 50% Polyester/ 50% PBT, 51% PBT/ 49% Polyester, 85% Polyester/ 15% Spandex. Each swimsuit fabric was cut into square pieces, stretched in embroidery hoops, and then placed in chlorinated water. The hypothesis for this study was that if nylon, polyester, PBT/Polyester, and econyl materials are exposed to chlorine, then the 50% Polyester/ 50% PBT material will be the most resistant to disintegration by the chlorine. The null hypothesis was that if nylon, polyester, and PBT and polyester suits are exposed to chlorine, then there will be no difference between the materials after being placed in the chlorine. The importance of this project is now swimmers can know what type of suit to buy that will last them a longer time than a less durable fabric. In conclusion, it was found that the data was statistically significant and supported the hypothesis. Therefore the null hypothesis was rejected.
Recommended Citation
Manos, Melina, "The Effect Of Chlorine On The Durability Of Swimsuit Material" (2016). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 206.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2016/all/206
Location
Owens 103
Start Date
4-16-2016 9:00 AM
The Effect Of Chlorine On The Durability Of Swimsuit Material
Owens 103
The purpose of this research is to investigate swimsuit materials with respect to chlorine and to determine which fabric is more easily disintegrated by chlorine exposure. The independent variable is the swimsuit material; the dependent variables are strength, color, and elasticity. Five swimsuit fabrics were tested: 80% Nylon/ 20% Lycra, 78% Econyl/ 22% Lycra Extra Life Spandex, 50% Polyester/ 50% PBT, 51% PBT/ 49% Polyester, 85% Polyester/ 15% Spandex. Each swimsuit fabric was cut into square pieces, stretched in embroidery hoops, and then placed in chlorinated water. The hypothesis for this study was that if nylon, polyester, PBT/Polyester, and econyl materials are exposed to chlorine, then the 50% Polyester/ 50% PBT material will be the most resistant to disintegration by the chlorine. The null hypothesis was that if nylon, polyester, and PBT and polyester suits are exposed to chlorine, then there will be no difference between the materials after being placed in the chlorine. The importance of this project is now swimmers can know what type of suit to buy that will last them a longer time than a less durable fabric. In conclusion, it was found that the data was statistically significant and supported the hypothesis. Therefore the null hypothesis was rejected.
