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	SCHOTT	AVSPro

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
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.