Thermoplastic testing from ATS uncovers the characteristics and vulnerabilities of this type of polymer. Clients from a wide variety of industries contact ATS for laboratory tests and analyses, such as manufacturing and consumer product businesses. Many manufacturers utilize thermoplastic materials, which can be heated, then reshaped through molding or extrusion processes without dramatically changing their properties. Thermoplastics are efficient to produce and found in construction products, cookware and cleaning bottles, electronic appliances, and children’s toys.
Commonly used thermoplastics include:
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – construction products
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) – hydrophobic cookware coatings
- Polyethylene (PE) – bearings, flexible bottle caps, gas cans, laundry detergent bottles
- Polycarbonate (PC) – electronic components, aircraft parts
- Nylon – fabrics, gears, heat-resistant composites
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) – toys, appliances
Why Test Thermoplastics?
Manufacturers and product engineers must ensure that products follow regulations and comply with industrial standards, federal regulations, and state laws. Clients may also request thermoplastic testing for other reasons, such as:
- To uncover potentially harmful materials like phthalates
- To determine the properties like strength, ductility, flow rate, and heat capacity
- To help decide on materials for designs
- To determine mechanical properties
- For failure analysis
How We Test Thermoplastics
ATS operates several ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs for material testing, polymer testing, and plastic testing. Our materials testing lab performs a broad range of tests that explore the properties and characteristics of thermoplastics and other polymers:
- Tensile strength testing – ASTM D638, ISO 527
- Melt flow index testing – ISO 1133
- Melt flow rate testing – ASTM D1238
- FTIR analysis– ASTM E1252 – for polymer identification
- Flexural strength testing – ASTM D790, ISO 178
- Flammability testing – UL 94
- Durometer Hardness Testing – D2240
We invest in innovative technology for rigorous testing of products to uncover their limits. For instance, the tension machine in our mechanical testing lab can reach a maximum force of 400,000 lbs. and temperature up to 1800˚ F. Our polymer testing lab has a maximum force capacity of 10,000 lbs. and can subject products to temperatures between -19F to 482F (-70˚ C to 250˚ C).
Testing with ATS
ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited to perform ISO/IEC 17025 tests, ATS takes care to deliver thorough and reliable inspections, testing, consulting engineering, and calibrations. We offer standards-based and custom testing to empower our clients’ decisions. Our services guide national and international clients in many industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, and consumer products.
ATS meets the requirements for an ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system and adheres to the federal regulation 10 CFR Part 21 for reporting defects and noncompliance. Our labs are accredited to perform a broad range of services:
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited: mechanical, chemistry, electrical, and nondestructive testing; calibrations
- NADCAP accredited: material and nondestructive testing
- CPSC-approved lab
- FAA repair station
Contact Us
Call +1 (888) 287-5227 or complete the request form on this page to schedule thermoplastic testing with ATS.
