With the seemingly rudimentary experimental paraphernalia
and arrangement, good measurements of viscoelastic
deformation were achievable. The extension data versus time
of low-density polyethylene film from the three different
manufacturers (A, B, and C) showing viscous creep whose
speed decays over time are typical of polyethylene (Figure 2).
It is also obvious that the responses were dissimilar despite
the samples having similar dimensions. Students can quite
easily identify that the source of difference lies in the material
itself. This creates an opportunity for students to be assigned
to undertake research to uncover causes for the
difference. Students may also be asked the simple question
of identifying which film, A, B, or C, would be more appropriate
for packaging heavy objects.