identify 'polytheralize'

To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
Subject: identify 'polytheralize'
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 00:45:47 -0500
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net
Subject:       RE- Re: Secondary wire &
       Date:   Thu, 12 Jun 1997 13:43:00 GMT
       From:  robert.michaels-at-online.sme-dot-org (Robert Michaels)
Organization: Society of Manufacturing Engineers
         To:  tesla-at-pupman-dot-com


T>  From:   "Alfred A. Skrocki" <alfred.skrocki-at-cybernetworking-dot-com>
T>On Tue, 10 Jun 1997 23:58:17 -0400 (EDT) richard hull
T><rhull-at-richmond.infi-dot-net> wrote;

T>> I have some 18 gauge super polythermalize which when placed touching
T>> requires over 4KVDC to break over!  Good stuff and used on my old
T>> Nemesis system.

T>Good stuff is an understatement! Is there any easy way to identify
T>this 'polytheralize' without it being labeled? Almost all the
T>surplus dealers I go to have no idea what insulation is on their wire

 [ ... ]

        You can use  a technique which I pioneered and refer to
        (in full professional modesty, of course) as Michael's
        Test.  It amounts to pyrolytic olefactory analysis.  In
        other words you burn it, and then sniff it.

        You must obtain some genuine Polythermaleze resin, or else
        a wire specimen coated with same.

        Heat the resin (or wire) in a suitably scientific fashion
        (a match, or butane lighter) until it combusts or smokes.
        If it ignites, blow out the flame.

        Now - the most important part.  Smell the smoke.  Memorize
        that aroma!

        Next, repeat the test on your unknown.   If they smell the
        same, they are the same.  (Michael's Rule of Polymer
        Pyrolysis)

                                - - - - - - - -

        This test works quite well on virtually all polymers --
        certainly on all polymer classes.  It cannot easily distinguish
        between homologs  (polyethylene and polypropylene,for instance),
        but it easily identifies Nylon, polyesters, polyalkylenes,
        polyurethanes, polyimides, Bakelite/phenolics, acrylics, ABS,
        natural rubber, polystyrene, etc.

                                        Nominations for the Ignoble
                                        Prize appreciated, in --
                                        Detroit, USA

                                        Robert Michaels