GATE 2018 Polymer Science Engineering (XE – F) Question Paper with Answer

GATE 2018 Polymer Science & Engineering (XE – F)

XE (F): Q. 1 – Q. 9 carry one mark each & Q. 10 – Q. 22 carry two marks each.
Q.1 Which one of the following polymers occurs naturally?
(A) Bakelite (B) Teflon (C) Cellulose (D) Perspex

Q.2 The order of average molecular weights of a polymer is
(A) Mz > Mw > Mv > Mn
(B) Mw > Mz > Mn > Mv
(C) Mn > Mw > Mv > Mz
(D) Mz > Mv > Mn > Mw

Q.3 Rubbers are a class of polymer known for
(A) High intermolecular forces
(B) High Tg polymers
(C) Crystalline polymers
(D) Low intermolecular forces

Q.4 Nylon 6 is manufactured from
(A) Sebacic acid and hexamethylene diamine
(B) Caprolactam
(C) Adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine
(D) Caprolactone

Q.5 Storage modulus and tan δ of a polymer are experimentally measured by
(A) Differential scanning calorimetry
(B) Thermogravimetric analysis
(C) Thermomechanical analysis
(D) Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis

Q.6 A plastic bucket is manufactured by
(A) Compression moulding
(B) Injection moulding
(C) Extrusion
(D) Blow moulding

Q.7 The monomers, A and B with reactivity ratios rA and rB, form alternate copolymers when,
(A) rA = rB = 0 (B) rA = rB = 1 (C) rA > 1, rB > 1 (D) rA < 1, rB < 1

XE – F 1/6

GATE 2018 Polymer Science & Engineering (XE – F)

Q.8 The degree of polymerization of a poly(methyl methacrylate) sample having number
average molecular weight of 1,50,000 g/mol is___________.
(C = 12, H = 1, O = 16 g/mol).

Q.9 If the heat of fusion of 100 % crystalline polyethylene is 290 mJ/mg, a sample of
polyethylene with heat of fusion of 141 mJ/mg will have_______ % crystallinity.

Q.10 Match the following:

P. Butyl rubber 1. Metallocene polymerization
Q. Cold SBR 2. Cationic polymerization
R. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 3. Redox polymerization
S. Polypropylene 4. Condensation polymerization

(A) P-3; Q-1; R-2; S-1 (B) P-2; Q-3; R-1; S-4
(C) P-4; Q-3; R-1; S-2 (D) P-2; Q-3; R-4; S-1

Q.11 Match the following:

P. Polyaramid 1. Baby-feeding nipple
Q. Polytetrafluoroethylene 2. Optical glasses
R. Polycarbonate 3. Non-stick cookware
S. Poly(dimethyl siloxane) 4. Bullet-proof jacket

(A) P-4; Q-3; R-2; S-1 (B) P-2; Q-3; R-4; S-1
(C) P-4; Q-1; R-2; S-3 (D) P-3; Q-4; R-2; S-1

Q.12 Flexible PVC tubes are used for watering. If some organic solvents are passed through this
tube, it becomes stiff. This is due to the fact that the organic solvents
(A) plasticize PVC and raise Tg.
(B) remove plasticizer and raise Tg.
(C) remove plasticizer and lower Tg.
(D) react with PVC and increase Tg

Q.13 Match the following:

P. Plastic egg container 1. Injection moulding
Q. Water tank 2. Extrusion
R. Chair 3. Rotational moulding
S. Cable 4. Thermoforming

(A) P-3; Q-1; R-4; S-2 (B) P-4; Q-3; R-2; S-1
(C) P-2; Q-3; R-4; S-1 (D) P-4; Q-3; R-1; S-2

XE – F 2/6

GATE 2018 Polymer Science & Engineering (XE – F)

Q.14 Match the following:

P. Flame retardant 1. 4-Methyl-2,6-di-t-butyl phenol
Q. UV absorber 2. Azocarbonamide
R. Blowing agent 3. Phenyl salisylate
S. Antioxidant 4. Aluminium trihydrate
(A) P-4; Q-1; R-2; S-3 (B) P-4; Q-3; R-2; S-1
(C) P-3; Q-4; R-2; S-1 (D) P-2; Q-4; R-1; S-3

Q.15 A plot of strain (%) versus time of a polymer is given below. Based on this plot and the
properties as mentioned below, find out the correct combination.

1 = Viscoelastic deformation; 2 = Elastic deformation
3 = Viscoelastic recovery; 4 = Elastic recovery

(A) P-1; Q-4; R-2; S-3; (B) P-2; Q-3; R-4; S-1
(C) P-3; Q-1; R-2; S-4 (D) P-2; Q-1; R-4; S-3

XE – F 3/6

GATE 2018 Polymer Science & Engineering (XE – F)

Q.16 The plot shows apparent viscosity versus shear rate of Newtonian, Dilatent and
Pseudoplastic fluids. Based on this plot and the fluid behaviour as mentioned below, find
out the correct combination.

1 = Dilatent fluid; 2 = Newtonian fluid, 3 = Pseudoplastic fluid

(A) P-1; Q-2; R-3 (B) P-3; Q-1; R-2
(C) P-2; Q-3; R-1 (D) P-2; Q-3; Q-1

XE – F 4/6

GATE 2018 Polymer Science & Engineering (XE – F)

Q.17 Plot of the modulus versus temperature of different types of polymers is given below.
Based on this plot and the nature of the polymers as mentioned below, find out the correct
combination.

1 = An amorphous polymer of high molecular weight having entanglements
2 = An amorphous polymer of moderate molecular weight
3 = Highly crosslinked polymer
4 = Semi-crystalline polymer

(A) P-2; Q-1; R-3; S-4 (B) P-1; Q-2; R-3; S-4
(C) P-2; Q-1; R-4; S-3 (D) P-1; Q-3; R-4; S-2

Q.18 The Tg of homopolymers of A and B are +100 oC and -70 oC respectively. The Tg of a
random copolymer of A and B having 40 wt% A and 60 wt% B is _________oC.

Q.19 The number average molecular weight of a polymer prepared from HO(CH2)14COOH is
24,000 g/mol. The conversion of the monomer required to reach the above molecular
weight is__________%. (C = 12, H = 1, O = 16 g/mol).

XE – F 5/6

GATE 2018 Polymer Science & Engineering (XE – F)

Q.20 Glass fibers in nylon provide reinforcement. The modulus of elasticity for each component
of the composite is; Eglass = 10.5 x 106 psi; Enylon = 0.4 x 106 psi. If the nylon contains
30 vol % E-glass, the fraction of the applied force is carried by the glass fiber
is__________. (Assume that both glass fiber and nylon have equal strain).

Q.21 The solubility parameter of a polymer having cohesive energy density (Ecoh) 43870 J/mol
and molar volume (V) 136 cm3/mol is _________ (J/cm3)1/2.

Q.22 The heat of polymerization of styrene is 20 Kcal/mol. Heat of 5 x105 Kcal will be released
on polymerization of __________ Kg of styrene (C = 12 and H = 1 g/mol).

END OF THE QUESTION PAPER

XE – F 6/6

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

1 MCQ GA A 1

2 MCQ GA C 1

3 MCQ GA B 1

4 MCQ GA B 1

5 MCQ GA B 1

6 MCQ GA A 2

7 MCQ GA D 2

8 MCQ GA D 2

9 MCQ GA B 2

10 MCQ GA C 2

1 MCQ XE‐A D 1

2 MCQ XE‐A A 1

3 NAT XE‐A 0.01 to 0.01 1

4 NAT XE‐A 5 to 5 1

5 NAT XE‐A 0.29 to 0.32 1

6 NAT XE‐A 250 to 250 1

7 NAT XE‐A 108 to 108 1

8 MCQ XE‐A B 2

9 MCQ XE‐A C 2

10 NAT XE‐A 3 to 3 2

11 NAT XE‐A 0.04 to 0.04 2

1 MCQ XE‐B B 1

2 MCQ XE‐B A 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

3 MCQ XE‐B D 1

4 MCQ XE‐B A 1

5 MCQ XE‐B C 1

6 MCQ XE‐B B 1

7 MCQ XE‐B A 1

8 NAT XE‐B 4 to 4 1

9 NAT XE‐B 39 to 42 1

10 MCQ XE‐B B 2

11 MCQ XE‐B C 2

12 MCQ XE‐B C 2

13 MCQ XE‐B A 2

14 NAT XE‐B 900 to 990 2

15 NAT XE‐B 40 to 42 2

16 NAT XE‐B 2.9 to 3.1 2

17 NAT XE‐B 107 to 127 2

18 NAT XE‐B 440000 to 442000 2

19 NAT XE‐B 0.001 to 0.002 2

20 NAT XE‐B 30 to 45 2

21 NAT XE‐B 4800 to 4800 2

22 NAT XE‐B 1200 to 1350 2

1 MCQ XE‐C C 1

2 MCQ XE‐C A 1

3 MCQ XE‐C B 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

4 MCQ XE‐C C 1

5 MCQ XE‐C A 1

6 MCQ XE‐C D 1

7 MCQ XE‐C C 1

8 NAT XE‐C 2 to 2 1

9 NAT XE‐C 6 to 6 1

10 MCQ XE‐C B 2

11 MCQ XE‐C A 2

12 MCQ XE‐C B 2

13 NAT XE‐C 430 to 500 2

14 NAT XE‐C 124 to 124 2

15 NAT XE‐C 2.60 to 2.70 2

16 NAT XE‐C 59.00 to 60.00 2

17 NAT XE‐C 1.85 to 2.00 2

18 NAT XE‐C 132 to 132 2

19 NAT XE‐C 5.01 to 5.17 2

20 NAT XE‐C 5 to 5 2

21 NAT XE‐C 15.5 to 18.5 2

22 NAT XE‐C 1420 to 1480 2

1 MCQ XE‐D D 1

2 MCQ XE‐D A 1

3 MCQ XE‐D D 1

4 MCQ XE‐D B 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

5 MCQ XE‐D B 1

6 NAT XE‐D 52.50 to 53.50 1

7 NAT XE‐D 27.00 to 28.00 1

8 NAT XE‐D 80 to 80 1

9 NAT XE‐D 220.00 to 222.00 1

10 MCQ XE‐D B 2

11 MCQ XE‐D B 2

12 MCQ XE‐D D 2

13 MCQ XE‐D C 2

14 MCQ XE‐D C 2

15 MCQ XE‐D A 2

16 MCQ XE‐D D 2

17 NAT XE‐D 195.00 to 197.00 2

18 NAT XE‐D 0.01 to 0.02 2

19 NAT XE‐D 14.5 to 15.5 2

20 NAT XE‐D 26.00 to 27.00 2

21 NAT XE‐D 3.10 to 3.20 2

22 NAT XE‐D 13.5 to 14.5 2

1 MCQ XE‐E B 1

2 MCQ XE‐E A 1

3 MCQ XE‐E C 1

4 MCQ XE‐E A 1

5 MCQ XE‐E C 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

6 MCQ XE‐E D 1

7 NAT XE‐E 160.0 to 161.0 1

8 NAT XE‐E 14.5 to 15.0 1

9 NAT XE‐E 0.30 to 0.32 1

10 MCQ XE‐E C 2

11 MCQ XE‐E C 2

12 MCQ XE‐E D 2

13 MCQ XE‐E B 2

14 MCQ XE‐E A 2

15 MCQ XE‐E D 2

16 NAT XE‐E 332.5 to 336.5 2

17 NAT XE‐E 3.01 to 3.07 2

18 NAT XE‐E 838.0 to 844.0 2

19 NAT XE‐E 961.0 to 962.0 2

20 NAT XE‐E 5.7 to 6.1 2

21 NAT XE‐E 12950.0 to 13000.0 2

22 NAT XE‐E 513.0 to 517.0 2

1 MCQ XE‐F C 1

2 MCQ XE‐F A 1

3 MCQ XE‐F D 1

4 MCQ XE‐F B 1

5 MCQ XE‐F D 1

6 MCQ XE‐F B 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

7 MCQ XE‐F A 1

8 NAT XE‐F 1500.00 to 1500.00 1

9 NAT XE‐F 48.52 to 48.72 1

10 MCQ XE‐F D 2

11 MCQ XE‐F A 2

12 MCQ XE‐F B 2

13 MCQ XE‐F D 2

14 MCQ XE‐F B 2

15 MCQ XE‐F D 2

16 MCQ XE‐F C 2

17 MCQ XE‐F C 2

18 NAT XE‐F ‐25.00 to ‐24.50 2

19 NAT XE‐F 98.80 to 99.10 2

20 NAT XE‐F 0.90 to 0.93 2

21 NAT XE‐F 17.91 to 18.00 2

22 NAT XE‐F 2600 to 2600 2

1 MCQ XE‐G B 1

2 MCQ XE‐G A 1

3 MCQ XE‐G C 1

4 MCQ XE‐G D 1

5 MCQ XE‐G D 1

6 NAT XE‐G 1.55 to 1.65 1

7 NAT XE‐G 103.0 to 103.2 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

8 NAT XE‐G 54 to 56 1

9 NAT XE‐G 0 to 0 1

10 MCQ XE‐G B 2

11 MCQ XE‐G C 2

12 MCQ XE‐G C 2

13 MCQ XE‐G A 2

14 MCQ XE‐G D 2

15 MCQ XE‐G A 2

16 MCQ XE‐G C 2

17 MCQ XE‐G B 2

18 NAT XE‐G 9.8 to 10.2 2

19 NAT XE‐G 1.1 to 1.8 2

20 NAT XE‐G 14.5 to 15.5 2

21 NAT XE‐G 6.0 to 6.4 2

22 NAT XE‐G 10 to 10 2

1 MCQ XE‐H B 1

2 MCQ XE‐H C 1

3 MCQ XE‐H A 1

4 MCQ XE‐H B 1

5 MCQ XE‐H B 1

6 MCQ XE‐H C 1

7 MCQ XE‐H D 1

8 MCQ XE‐H D 1

Q.No. Type Section Key/Range Marks

9 MCQ XE‐H B 1

10 MCQ XE‐H A 2

11 MCQ XE‐H B 2

12 MCQ XE‐H A 2

13 MCQ XE‐H B 2

14 NAT XE‐H 1254 to 1256 2

15 NAT XE‐H 19.42 to 19.44 2

16 NAT XE‐H 734.8 to 735.0 2

17 NAT XE‐H 9.16 to 9.18 2

18 NAT XE‐H 12.8 to 13.2 2

19 NAT XE‐H 92.4 to 92.8 2

20 NAT XE‐H 1.3 to 1.4 2

21 NAT XE‐H 0.11 to 0.12 2

22 NAT XE‐H 9.99 to 10.01 2