Physical and Mechanical testing of Polymers ensure materials meet application performance requirements.
WHY TESTING POLYMERS?
The physical and mechanical testing of polymers and plastics is a vital part of the product development and production process. Mechanical, Thermal and Rheological behaviours allow developers to understand their product formulations and performance. This applies to many different industries, from automotive, aerospace, consumer products and biomedical companies with their vast array of product types. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of a polymer material is a key concern to suppliers, manufacturers and product developers on every level of the polymer industry.
Polymer testing helps you to:
- Identify the characteristics, properties and flaws of your materials
- Comply with all relevant national and international standards
- Ensure that your materials meet your clients’ safety, environmental and aging requirements
How to test POLYMERS?
There are different types of tests, both on the basic polymer and on components, to determine how the finished product would perform under challenging conditions. The most common tests for Polymers are:
- Tensile properties (ASTM D638, ISO 527), Flextural properties (ASTM D790, ISO 178), Charpy and Izod Impact Strenght (ISO 179, ISO 180) to make sure your material has the appropriate mechanical resistance for your application;
- Melt Flow Rate (ISO 1133, ASTM D1238) to evaluate the processibility of your material;
- Heat Deflection Temperature (ASTM D648, ISO 75) and Vicat Softening Temperature (ASTM D1525, ISO 306) to determine how your material will stand up to the service temperature of your application;
- Viscosity (ISO 11443, ASTM D3835) to investigate material behaviour in different plastic processing and look for evidence of degradation during processing.
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Mechanical Test |
Impact Test |
Rheology Test |
HDT Vicat Test |
Investigate tensile, flexural, shear and compressive properties of Polymers. |
Measure Impact resistance of Polymer materials. |
Melt flow Index values for direct comparisons of Polymer materials. |
Define the temperature at which a Polymer starts to deform. |
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WHY INSTRON?
Critical measurements require instrumentation you can trust. Instron’s product range covers all methods of the most common ISO and ASTM Mechanical, Impact, Melt Flow, Rheology, HDT Vicat testing standards and are suitable for a wide range of polymers. Systems are configurable with features that can help increase productivity in a busy lab, and reduce the chance of injury by decreasing operator interaction with the machine.
Interested in speaking with an Instron Polymer testing specialist?
Contact US