Polymer Testing and Polymeric Materials Analysis

Infinitely versatile in their applications and diversity, polymers such as plastics, rubbers, elastomers, paints, and coatings, play critical roles in every industry including transportation, medical materials, aerospace, consumer products, chemical processing, and even construction.

To test polymers in all their configurations requires specialized training and cutting edge instrumentation. Stork operates several advanced polymer testing laboratories, staffed with scientific teams who have experience in polymer characterization and processing, additives, impact modifiers, alloys, and blends. Some of the polymer testing methods they conduct include:

materials identification and classification
failure analysis
paint defect evaluation
product evaluations
material property assessment
aging and compatibility studies
contamination identification

Some of Stork's specific testing capabilities and methods for polymeric materials testing are described below.

Polymer Testing by Chemical Analysis Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Beilstein halogen determination, moisture content, and melt flow rate.

Polymer Testing by Thermal Analysis Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Thermomechanical (TMA), and Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).

Polymer Mechanical Testing Tensile, compression, flexural, proof load, durometer hardness, Rockwell hardness, compression set, and falling weight impact

Polymer Testing & Aging Studies Heat, thermal cycling, humidity, chemical resistance, environmental stress cracking, and ultraviolet (UV).

Polymer Testing for Paints and Coatings Cross hatch adhesion, coating pull-off strength, color and gloss measurement, taber abrasion, aging studies, chemical resistance, electrochemical corrosion studies, salt fog, humidity, QUV aging, coating thickness, metallography, and pencil hardness.

Polymer Testing with Scanning Electron Microscopy Low and high magnification, fractography, chemical attack, and particulate evaluation.

Want to learn more about polymer testing or other services we offer? Send us your question for a quick response.

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