Material Science and Solid State Chemistry Project at Olin College Timeframe: Spring 2008 Location: Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA (USA) Key competencies: Materials testing using a number of methods, including: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), piezo accelerometer based vibration testing, Instron testing (Young’s modulus and flexural strength) and Rockwell hardness testing.

Adapted from the project introduction:

In this Material Science project, we analyzed the materials used in three types of hammers with handles made from metal, fiberglass, and wood. The makers of the metal-handled hammer claimed it was anti-vibration model, while the makers of the fiberglass model advertised their product as “unbreakable”. We investigated the designs and tested these claims with a number of methods. We used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the material composition of the non-metallic components, and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the composition of metallic components. Hardness was determined using Rockwell tests on the hammer faces. Vibration was measured with piezo accelerometers and analyzed spectrographically. Flexural strength and the Young’s modulus were determined by three-point bend tests on the Instron tester. Our tests confirmed the claims of the steel hammer manufacturer—while the hammer still vibrated, the vibrations were pushed away from the low frequency spectrum that can be damaging to humans. The claims of the fiberglass model were somewhat less strong as the hammer was breakable, however, it still represented respectable mechanical (flexural) strength and elasticity.

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