Plastic Testing (Polymer Testing)
Testing plays a critical role in the life cycle of a polymer, from the raw material to the compound through to the semi-finished and finished product. Each stage has different test requirements, and each end user may require a different test solution depending on their role, whether it is in Product Development (R&D), Quality Control (QC), Testing Services (TS), or Research (R).
Typical Test Solutions for the Plastics Industry...
Melt Flow Testing
Impact Testing - Drop Tower
Impact Testing - Pendulum
Tensile Testing
Rheology
Thermal Testing
Thickness Testing
Friction Testing
Melt Flow Testing
| A melt flow test measures the melt flow rate (MFR) and melt volume rate (MVR) of a molten polymer. Values are taken at a certain temperature and with a certain mass applied, dependant on material. (Click Here For More Information) |
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| A drop tower can be used to measure energy absorbed of a sample or to apply a set amount of damage to a specimen at impact velocities from 1 – 24m/s. (Click Here For More Information) |
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| A pendulum tester measures the impact resistance of samples in various standard test configurations. (Click Here For More Information) |
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| A materials testing machine is used to accurately measure the physical strengths of solid materials. (Click Here For More Information) |
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| A Rheometer is used to measure the rheological properties of molten polymers when varying shear rates and temperatures. A wide number of accessories are used to determine other characteristics of the polymer. (Click Here For More Information) |
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| Sample Preparation Equipment is used to prepare samples to specific shapes before a mechanical test is performed |
| Thermal testing consists of either measuring the HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature) or VICAT softening point. The HDT test is a 3 point bend set up and the VICAT test is a spike. (Click Here For More Information) |
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Plastic films are often used to encapsulate, preserve and protect products destined for consumers or industry.
Producing a film of a thickness less than the specification may result in the material not having optimum functionality within the end user application. A film produced with a higher thickness increases the raw material costs for the producer.
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Surface slip is a key factor when printing or filling packaging materials on an automated line. If the friction of a material is too high then the film may too ‘tacky’ for the process, too low and the film may be too ‘slippy’ for the process. Optimising friction parameters can help understand how the finish of a blown film can influence the feeding and running speed. |
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