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Polymer testing and technical services

From formulation and new product development to quality control and failure investigation: define your goal and find the right technical service path, investigation plan and related tests.

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Polymer materials investigation and development
FROM QUESTION TO DECISIONEvery test serves a decision

Three core services, matched to your needs

Material and composition identification
Material and composition identification

The material type or composition is unknown

Identify the material family and decide which differences need further investigation.

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Method technical details

The investigation starts with FTIR spectroscopy: the sample spectrum is compared against a reference library to identify the polymer family and its functional groups. Where needed, NMR determines the chemical structure and comonomer ratio in more detail. TGA, using controlled heating, separates the polymer, mineral filler and carbon black content by weight loss, while DSC distinguishes blends and grades by their melting and glass transition temperatures.

Quality control
Quality control

Two batches are not of the same quality

Separate acceptable differences from changes that must be investigated before use.

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Method technical details

Samples from each batch and a reference sample are prepared and conditioned under identical conditions, so that any difference relates only to the material. Tensile testing compares strength, modulus and elongation; rheometry reveals changes in molecular weight and processing behavior; and DSC shows differences in melting and crystallinity. Results are checked against agreed acceptance limits to decide whether a difference is normal or needs further review before use.

Failure analysis
Failure analysis

A part breaks or its performance has dropped

Narrow down the likely causes and choose a corrective action that can be evaluated.

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Method technical details

The part history and service conditions are recorded first, and the fracture surface is examined by SEM to locate the crack origin and identify the mechanism, such as brittle fracture, fatigue or environmental stress cracking. FTIR reveals oxidative degradation, contamination or a different material, and DSC compares crystallinity with a sound sample. Tensile testing measures the loss of mechanical properties, and the combined evidence points to the likely cause and the corrective action.

Process improvement
Process improvement

Flow or processability has changed

Determine whether process adjustment or further material evaluation should come first.

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Method technical details

Melt flow behavior is measured with a rheometer at temperatures and shear rates close to production conditions and compared with a reference material. GPC/SEC determines the molecular weight distribution to show whether a change in viscosity comes from degradation, a grade change or added recycled material. DSC provides melting and crystallization temperatures for setting the temperature profile and cooling time. The result shows whether adjusting the process is enough or the material needs to change.

Formulation development and compounding
Formulation development and compounding

Need a new formulation or to improve an existing product?

Choose the formula with the best balance between performance, manufacturability and application requirements.

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Method technical details

Once measurable targets are set, trial formulations are compounded and molded at laboratory scale. Mechanical properties are evaluated by tensile testing, processability by rheometry, and thermal stability and filler content by TGA. DSC shows how additives and nucleating agents affect melting and crystallinity, and TEM examines particle dispersion and phase morphology. Each stage is compared with the targets, so the final formulation is reached in as few iterations as possible.

Color and coating quality
Color and coating quality

Color or coating quality is not uniform

Set priorities for correction in the formula, surface preparation, application or curing.

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Method technical details

Coated panels and a reference sample are fully cured and conditioned under standard conditions. Dry film thickness is measured, color difference (ΔE) with a spectrophotometer, and gloss with a gloss meter. Adhesion is assessed by cross-cut or pull-off testing and hardness by the pencil method, with salt spray or accelerated weathering resistance tested where required. Comparing the results shows whether the root cause lies in the formulation, surface preparation, application or curing.