Petrie, H*; King, N*; Tomlins, P (2004) Investigations into sensation of 'softness' and perception of the tactile properties of 'soft touch' thermoplastic elastomers. NPL Report. DEPC-MPR 017

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Abstract

Three studies were undertaken to provide initial objective data on the psychological perception of soft plastic materials. In the first study, a vocabulary elicitation study, 105 participants (representing a wide range of characteristics – age, gender, ethnicity, sensory impairment) were asked to produce any words to describe the characteristics of a set of samples of soft touch thermoplastic elastomers. These words were then used in a card sort study in which a further 10 participants were asked to sort cards with the words typed on them into as many piles as they liked, with similar words in each pile. This study yielded 7 clusters of words, representing the key psychological dimensions of the perception of soft touch thermoplastic elastomers: femininity, pleasantness, elasticity, masculinity, uncomforting, robustness and malleability. Finally, the third study investigated the psychophysics of the relationship between physical characteristics and the psychological perception of a set of samples. The magnitude estimation method was used, with participants assessing the softness/smoothness of samples in comparison to the softness/smoothness of a modulus sample. The results showed a highly significant relationship between the perception of softness of the soft touch thermoplastic elastomers and their Shore A hardness values, that was unaffected by the thickness or shape of the samples. No significant relationship was found between the perception of the smoothness of the soft touch thermoplastic elastomers and their Shore A hardness values. The implications of these results are discussed.

Item Type:	Report/Guide (NPL Report)
NPL Report No.:	DEPC-MPR 017
Subjects:	Advanced Materials Advanced Materials > Biomaterials
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2018 13:16
URI:	http://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/3275

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