While I am not involved with them yet since they are not active projects, there is the possibility for me to be involved. I think this is great since it would give me more experience in working in forensic engineering and science consulting.
The Orica project I think I have mentioned before, in regards to testing of some HDPE used to transport Nitric Acid. They sent some samples over from a good container, and a container that was starting to fail. Upon flexing the peices by hand, you can already hear cracking noises, and seeing ripple lines from the cracks happening inside the plastic. Definitely not a good sign, and thankfully they haven't had any breakages causing leaks and spills of the 60% hot nitric acid that is put into them.
The second project is commissioned by the NSW Police, and they want a recommendation into glass. Or specifically, tempered glass vs polycarbonate plastics. More specifically, to replace traditional glasses in bars, pubs, taverns and drinking spots. This is their method of combating alcohol fueled violence, and reducing injuries since tempered glass shatters into square-ish bits with much less sharp shards for lacerations and so forth. The polycarbonate is practically unbreakable though could still be used to beat on someone or thrown. It sounds interesting, and I know that some places have already started to use plastic cups after a certain time of the night to reduce the number of "glassings" (where someone gets a glass smashed into their face or body in a fight). The only difficulty so far is that, they haven't provided any tempered glasses or polycarbonate for that matter to permit testing. The only things that are available are reports and studies in literature. Which, in my opinion, is pretty weak if it was ever taken to say court, when the bar association members try and oppose the move to use plastic instead of glass.
In any case, more news of them if they develop.
The Orica project I think I have mentioned before, in regards to testing of some HDPE used to transport Nitric Acid. They sent some samples over from a good container, and a container that was starting to fail. Upon flexing the peices by hand, you can already hear cracking noises, and seeing ripple lines from the cracks happening inside the plastic. Definitely not a good sign, and thankfully they haven't had any breakages causing leaks and spills of the 60% hot nitric acid that is put into them.
The second project is commissioned by the NSW Police, and they want a recommendation into glass. Or specifically, tempered glass vs polycarbonate plastics. More specifically, to replace traditional glasses in bars, pubs, taverns and drinking spots. This is their method of combating alcohol fueled violence, and reducing injuries since tempered glass shatters into square-ish bits with much less sharp shards for lacerations and so forth. The polycarbonate is practically unbreakable though could still be used to beat on someone or thrown. It sounds interesting, and I know that some places have already started to use plastic cups after a certain time of the night to reduce the number of "glassings" (where someone gets a glass smashed into their face or body in a fight). The only difficulty so far is that, they haven't provided any tempered glasses or polycarbonate for that matter to permit testing. The only things that are available are reports and studies in literature. Which, in my opinion, is pretty weak if it was ever taken to say court, when the bar association members try and oppose the move to use plastic instead of glass.
In any case, more news of them if they develop.
3 comments:
why would they try to oppose the change?
Apparently bar owners believe that their business will dwindle if their customers are served drinks in plastic. Plastic loses it's "class", kind of like a 5 star restaurant suddenly giving their customers airplane plastic knives and forks instead of good silverware.
Also, I think alcohol doesn't taste as good from plastic.
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