Testing and Characterization

WE PERFORM TESTS ACCORDING TO THE MAIN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Proplast performs quality, chemical, rheological testing from the material to the finished product. The Testing and Characterization laboratory offers a wide range of tests on plastic materials. All tests are performed in accordance with the main international ISO, ASTM standards and specifications of the main application sectors (automotive, medical, packaging…..). The team is, in addition, able to provide companies with consultancy aimed at identifying and resolving nonconformities, and experimental support throughout the development of new materials and subsequent transformations.

Faylure analysis
Quality control
Compliance Verification
Material selection

Analysis of nonconformities

We carry out analytical investigations with combined techniques in order to identify the main causes of nonconformities that may occur at various stages of materials and components production processes. Upon request, we help our clients with visits to production sites to ensure that the process and production constantly conform to the desired parameters.

Quality control of incoming materials

We support companies in the control of various batches of incoming material, performing combinations of analytical techniques to verify the constancy of parameters identified as relevant. The checks can be performed on raw materials, semi-finished or finished products. At the conclusion of all tests, a verification report is issued summarizing all the values obtained and any nonconformities.

Verification of compliance with specifications and data sheets

We perform full characterization of polymeric materials against the values most commonly reported in data sheets and specifications. Verification of compliance with specifications can also be performed on specific production batches regardless of standards or marks of compliance.

Support activities in material selection for each application

We perform comparison characterizations between materials in use and those under study based on the specimens provided. The use of different analytical techniques makes it possible to qualitatively and quantitatively determine and control plastic materials to achieve the best performance during production and product life.

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Equipment and tests

Some tests performed in our laboratories

Chemical and physical characterization analysis

Chemical-physical analyses are aimed at determining the chemical nature of the polymer bases, fillers and additives present in the constituent materials of the manufactured articles under investigation. It is, in addition, possible to evaluate the possible presence of pollutants and the differences present between different batches of the same polymers to check for possible causes of anomalies in processing or to obtain information on new polymeric compounds or blends.

EQUIPMENT	BRAND	MODEL
DSC	TA Instruments	Q2000
Karl Fischer titration	Mettler Toledo	DL 31
Measuring machine	ARCS	KIM-3020CU
Gloss meter	Erichsen	503
OTR / WTR Permeabilimeter	Extrasolution	Multiperm
Digital thickness gauge	ATS FAAR	Sylvac
Visible spectrophotometer	MINOLTA	CM-36dG
FTIR Spectrophotometer	Perkin Elmer	Spectrum 400
FTIR microscope	Perkin Elmer	Spotlight 200
Titrator	Mettler Toledo	T50
Automatic viscometer	SI Analytics	AVS 370 OPT

Mechanical tests in static and dynamic regimes

The application of classical tensile, flexural, compressive and impact methods allows the evaluation of mechanical properties on standard specimens according to all the most important international and industry standards (UNI ISO, ASTM, DIN, AFNOR, BSI, SAE, FIAT Auto, PSA, VW…..). The data obtained from mechanical tests are extremely useful for the design or prototyping of new plastic products and directly processed by the Product Engineering area. After viewing the geometry and usage, mechanical tests can be performed directly on the finished artifact by designing and making ad hoc grips. Finally, recently acquired devices for performing the CREEP test make it possible to determine the deformation under constant load over time.

EQUIPMENT	BRAND	MODEL
Climate chamber	PERANI	AC520
Climate chamber	Votsch	VC4150
Climatic chamber for dynamometer	Zwich Roell	BW91255
50KN load cell for dynamometer	Zwich Roell	Xforce K
10KN load cell for dynamometer	Zwich Roell	K
500N load cell for dynamometer	Zwich Roell	Xforce P
50N load cell for dynamometer	Zwich Roell	Xforce HP
Dynamometer	Zwich Roell	50kN Allround tabletop
Dynamometer	Zwich Roell	10kN BTC-FR010TH.A50
DMA	TA Instruments	Q800
Durometer	ATS FAAR	Shore D
Durometro	ATS FAAR	Shore A
Pendulum	ATS FAAR	Impats-15
Elmendorf Pendulum	AHP PLASTIK MAKINA	Elmen 800
Device for dart free-fall tests on film	GBPI	GBD-L2

Thermal testing

The tests enable useful data to be obtained both in design and in verifying the thermal tightness during use of an artifact: maximum operating temperature, reaction to fire, etc.

EQUIPMENT	BRAND	MODEL
HDT / Vicat	ATS FAAR	HDT / Vicat Tester MP3
Muffola	Nabertherm	L3/C6
Thermobalance	TA Instruments	TGA 550
Thermobalance for humidity determination	Mettler Toledo	HB 43

Rheological tests

Determination of the Melt Flow Rate Index (MFR, MVR), melt viscosity by means of flat-plate or capillary rheometers enable basic and specific information that is fundamental for optimizing the processing of a polymer or the production of a new compound or polymer blend.

EQUIPMENT	BRAND	MODEL
Plastometer x MVR e MFI	CJTI	XNR 400 C
Plate rheometer	TA Instruments	Discovery HR-2
Capillary rheometer	CEAST	Smart Rheo 2000 Twin

Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis.

In support of the analytical investigations conducted for Failure Analysis activities, the laboratory routinely performs, morphological analysis of fracture surfaces by optical and scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis by EDS microprobe of contamination and fillers that may be present in artifacts.

EQUIPMENT	BRAND	MODEL
Optical microscope	Leica	DM2500P

Ageing

The laboratory can perform simulation tests of outdoor\indoor sunlight exposure, exposure to thermal cycles with temperature and relative humidity control, and thermo-oxidative aging in ventilated stoves. In conjunction with accelerated aging tests, it is possible to characterize specimens before and after various cycles performed under controlled conditions.

EQUIPMENT	BRAND	MODEL
Climate chamber	PERANI	AC520
Climate chamber	Votsch	VC4150
Xenotest	Q-LAB	Q-SUN XE-3 mod. X3HSE

Disintegration tests

For screening purposes prior to compost biodegradability tests of plastic materials, laboratory-scale disintegration activities are performed according to ISO 20200.

Analysis and methods used

If the method you are looking for is not listed, please contact us

Standard	Description
ASTM F1927-14	Determination of Oxygen Gas Transmission rate (OTR)
ASTM D 395	Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property -- Compression Set
ASTM D1003_Meth.B	Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D1238	Standard test method for Melt Flow Rates of thermoplastics by extrusion Plastometer
ASTM D1525-17	Standard Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of Plastics
ASTM D1894	Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D1922	Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
ASTM D1938	Standard Test Method for Tear-Propagation Resistance (Trouser Tear) of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by a Single-Tear Method
ASTM D256	Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
ASTM D2659-16	Standard Test Method for Column Crush Properties of Blown Thermoplastic Containers
ASTM D2732-20	Standard Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D308	Standard practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by using the CIE System
ASTM D3418	Standard Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
ASTM D3835	Determination of Properties of Polymeric Materials by Means of a capillary Rheometer
ASTM D3985-05	Oxygen Gas Transmission rate (OTR) through plastic film and sheeting
ASTM D4440-15	Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties Melt Rheology
ASTM D4603	Standard Test Method for Determining Inherent Viscosity of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) by Glass Capillary Viscometer
ASTM D523	Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
ASTM D543	Standard Practices for Evaluating the Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reagents
ASTM D5630	Standard Test Method for Ash Content in Plastics
ASTM D570	Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
ASTM D638	Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
ASTM D648	Deflection temperature of plastics under flexural load in the edgewise position
ASTM D790	Flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics
ASTM D792-Met.B	Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
ASTM D882	Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
ASTM F1249	Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor
ASTM F1307-20	Standard Test Method for Oxygen Transmission Rate Through Dry Packages Using a Coulometric Sensor
ASTM F88-M	Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
DIN 53504	Testing of rubber -- Determination of tensile strength at break tensile stress at yield elongation at break and stress values in a tensile test
DIN 53735	Testing of plastics -- Determination of the melt flow index of thermoplastics
ISO 11357-1	Plastics -- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Part 1: General principles
ISO 11357-2	Plastics -- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) -- Part 2: Determination of glass transition temperature and step height
ISO 11357-3	Plastics -- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) -- Part 3: Determination of temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization
ISO 11443	Plastics -- Determination of the fluidity of plastics using capillary and slit-die rheometers
ISO 1183	Plastics -- Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics -- Part 1: Immersion method liquid pyknometer method and titration method
ISO 1269	Plastics-Homopolymer and copolymer resins of vinyl chloride - Determination of volatile matter (including water)
ISO 13937-2	Textiles -- Tear properties of fabrics
ISO 15512	Plastics -- Determination of water content (Karl Fischer)
ISO 1628	Determination of viscosity number and limiting viscosity number
ISO 20200	Plastics -- Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under composting conditions in a laboratory-scale test
ISO 22314-06	Plastics -- Glass-fibre-reinforced products -- Determination of fibre length
ISO 2813	Paints and varnishes -- Determination of gloss value at 20° 60° and 85°
ISO 6383-2	Plastics --Film and sheeting - Determination of tear resistance - Part 2: Elmendorf method
ISO 6721-10	Plastics -- Determination of dynamic mechanical properties Part 10: Complex shear viscosity using a parallel-plate oscillatory rheometer
ISO 8067	Flexible cellular polymeric materials -- Determination of tear strength
UNI EN 14477	Packaging - Flexible packaging material - Determination of puncture resistance - Test methods
UNI EN ISO 1133	Plastics -- Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and the melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics
UNI EN ISO 11358-1	Plastics -- Thermogravimetry (TG) of polymers
UNI EN ISO 13468-2	Plastics -- Determination of the total luminous transmittance of transparent materials
UNI EN ISO 13968	Plastics piping and ducting systems -- Thermoplastics pipes -- Determination of ring flexibility
UNI EN ISO 1421	Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics -- Determination of tensile strength and elongation at break
UNI EN ISO 14040	Environmental management -- Life cycle assessment -- Principles and framework
UNI EN ISO 14044	Environmental management -- Life cycle assessment -- Requirements and guidelines
UNI EN ISO 14067	Greenhouse gases -- Carbon footprint of products -- Requirements and guidelines for quantification
UNI EN ISO 178	Plastics -- Determination of flexural properties
UNI EN ISO 179-1	Plastics -- Determination of Charpy impact properties -- Part 1: Non-instrumented impact test
UNI EN ISO 180	Plastics -- Determination of Izod impact strength
UNI EN ISO 1856	Flexible cellular polymeric materials -- Determination of compression set
UNI EN ISO 1923	Cellular plastics and rubbers -- Determination of linear dimensions
UNI EN ISO 294-4	Injection moulding of test specimens of thermoplastic materials -- Part 4: Determination of moulding shrinkage
UNI EN ISO 306	Plastics -- Thermoplastic materials -- Determination of Vicat softening temperature (VST)
UNI EN ISO 307	Plastics -- Polyamides -- Determination of viscosity number
UNI EN ISO 34-1	Rubber vulcanized or thermoplastic -- Determination of tear strength
UNI EN ISO 3451-1	Plastics -- Determination of ash General methods
UNI EN ISO 3671	Plastics -- Aminoplastic moulding materials -- Determination of volatile matter
UNI EN ISO 4892-2	Plastics -- Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
UNI EN ISO 527	Plastics -- Determination of tensile properties
UNI EN ISO 60	Plastics -- Determination of apparent density of material that can be poured from a specified funnel
UNI EN ISO 6721-1	Plastics -- Determination of dynamic mechanical properties Part 1: General principles
UNI EN ISO 75	Plastics -- Determination of temperature of deflection under load
UNI EN ISO 7765-1	Plastics film and sheeting -- Determination of impact resistance by the free-falling dart method Part 1: Staircase methods
UNI EN ISO 8295	Plastics -- Film and sheeting -- Determination of the coefficients of friction
UNI EN ISO 845	Cellular plastics and rubbers -- Determination of apparent density
UNI EN ISO 868	Plastics and ebonite -- Determination of indentation hardness by means of a durometer (Shore hardness)
UNI EN ISO 9969	Thermoplastics pipes -- Determination of ring stiffness
UNI ISO 48-4	Rubber vulcanized or thermoplastic -- Determination of hardness Part 4: Indentation hardness by durometer method (Shore hardness)
UNI ISO 815-1	Rubber vulcanized or thermoplastic -- Determination of compression set