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TESTING OF PLASTICS AND ASTM / ISO STANDARDS

Testing plays a critical role in the life cycle of a polymer, from the raw material to the
compound through to the semi-finished and finished product. At each stage the
polymer needs to pass certain tests to confirm its suitability and capability to the final
product application, whether it is in Product Development (R&D), Quality Control
(QC), Testing Services (TS), or Research (R).
FEW OF TYPICAL TESTS EXPLAINED:
Melt Flow Index (MFI): Melt Flow Rate measures the rate of extrusion (floe) of
melted thermoplastics through an orifice at a prescribed temperature and load. A
weight specified for the material is applied to a plunger and the molten material is
forced through the die. A timed extrudate is collected and weighed. Melt flow rate
values are calculated in g/10 min. Equipment Used: Melt Flow Indexer
Flow rate = (600/t x weight of Extrudate) where t = time of extrudate in seconds
Deflection Temperature under Load (HDT): Heat deflection temperature is the
temperature at which a standard test bar deflects a specified distance under a load.
It is used to determine short-term heat resistance. Equipment Used: Atlas HDV2
DTUL/ Vicat tester.
Falling Dart Impact (Film): It is a traditional method for evaluating the impact
strength or toughness of a plastic film. This test uses a single dart configuration and
a single drop height, while varying the weight of the dart. Test results can be used
either as a quality control evaluation or for end use comparisons. Equipment Used:
Drop Impact Tester, Appropriate weights and darts
Flexural Test: The Flexural test measures the force required to bend a beam under
3 point loading conditions. Flexural modulus is used as an indication of a material's
stiffness when flexed. Test of materials carried out at temperatures that simulate the
intended end use environment. Equipment Used: Universal Tester, Flexural test
fixtures
Compression Test: Compressive properties describe the behavior of a material
when it is subjected to a compressive load. Loading is at a relatively low and uniform
rate. Compressive strength and modulus are the two most common values
produced.
Charpy Impact: Test that measures materials resistance to impact from a swinging
pendulum. Charpy impact is defined as the kinetic energy needed to initiate fracture
and continue fracture until the specimen is broken. Equipment Used: Impact Tester
Vicat Softening Point: The temperature at which a flat-ended needle penetrates
the specimen to the depth of 1 mm under a specific load. The temperature reflects
the point of softening to be expected when a material is used in an elevated
temperature application.
QUV Accelerated Weathering: Accelerated weathering simulates damaging
effects of long term outdoor exposure of materials and coatings by exposing test
samples to varying conditions of the most aggressive components of weathering -

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