Adding Polymer Testing Capability to a Laboratory
Adding polymer testing usually starts with mechanical testing, melt flow and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), with FTIR for identification. Specimen moulding or machining and conditioning at controlled temperature and humidity are often overlooked but essential.
What is this capability?
Polymer testing characterizes identity, thermal behaviour, flow and mechanical properties to control incoming material and investigate failures.
Typical equipment (categories)
- Universal testing machine with polymer grips and extensometer
- Melt flow indexer
- DSC and TGA
- FTIR spectrometer
- Impact tester
Supporting equipment
- Specimen moulding, cutting or machining equipment
- Conditioning chamber or room
- Drying ovens and balances
Facility considerations
Controlled temperature and humidity for conditioning and testing, ventilation for thermal analysis and moulding.
Calibration and service
Load and extensometer verification, DSC temperature/enthalpy calibration, TGA mass and temperature checks.
Before bringing it in-house, decide
- Which methods and standards you must run, and whether customers require accredited results
- Realistic annual sample volume and how steady it is
- Who will operate, calibrate and maintain the equipment — and who covers when they are away
- Whether the space, utilities and environmental control are adequate today
- Whether outsourcing until volumes are proven is the lower-risk first step
Common questions
- Can FTIR identify every polymer problem?
- FTIR identifies base polymers and many contaminants, but additive, molecular weight and degradation questions often need further techniques.
- Does Laboratory Vortex supply the equipment?
- No. Laboratory Vortex is a discovery and request platform. Submitting a lab project helps identify equipment suppliers and service providers; you contract with them directly.