AIMPLAS’ laboratories have the largest number of ENAC accreditations in tests for the plastic industry at national level, for both thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. Through these tests and analysis, AIMPLAS offers integral solutions focused on solving problems, preparing technical data sheets for products, quality control, and characterization of unknown samples.
AIMPLAS carries out the following tests and analysis of plastic materials:
- Mechanical properties
- Tensile properties: modulus, elongation, strength, Poisson’s ratio, etc.
- Flexural properties: modulus, maximum deflection, etc.
- Compression properties.
- Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
- Compression set.
- Abrasion and scratch.
- Impact resistance (Charpy, Izod, falling dart and ball).
- Tear strength (Elmendorf, tearing).
- Hardness (Shore A and D, Barcol, ball).
- Friction coefficient (static and dynamic).
- Internal resistance to pressure in pipes.
- Dimensional stability and water-tightness in pipes.
- Capacity, watertightness and hydraulic efficace of small wastewater treatment systems for up to 50 PT.
- Puncture test.
- Static and dinamic load.
- Physical and thermal properties
- Density of solids.
- Thermosealing study.
- Leak test.
- Bulk density.
- Grammage.
- Density of liquids by the pycnometer method.
- Vicat softening temperature.
- Heat deflection temperature (HDT).
- Melting temperature (DSC).
- Glass transition temperature (DMA/DSC).
- Dimensional stability.
- Volumetric contraction.
- Particle size distribution.
- Optical properties
- Haze.
- Gloss.
- Transparency.
- Colour measurement.
- Thermicity (IR effectiveness).
- UV-visible light transmission.
- Performance against external agents
- Climatic testing (temperature and humidity).
- Natural weathering.
- Accelerated artificial weathering (xenon).
- Fire behaviour (UL94 ratings).
- Oxygen and water vapour permeability.
- Chemical compatibility.
- Resistance to chemical agents and petroleum products.
- Resistance to staining.
- Biodegradation test under controlled composting conditions.
- Rheological properties
- Melt flow index (in mass and volume).
- Rotational and oscillatory rheometry.
- Torsion torque rheometry.
- Extensional rheometry.
- Bookfield viscosity.
- Viscosity in solution (intrinsic, inherent, K value, etc.).
- Identification and Chemical analysis
- Identification of polymers (FTIR, DSC).
- Identification of fillers and reinforcements (FTIR, TG).
- Identification and quantification of additives (FTIR, Chromatography).
- Quantifying of residual monomers (chromatography).
- Identification and quantification of residual solvents (Chromatography).
- Characterization of thermosetting resins (curing rate, gel time, solid content, acidity index, residual styrene content by GC, etc.).
- Fibreglass content.
- Ash content.
- Number and thickness of layers in multilayer sheets (optical microscopy).
- Composition of gases in packaging (O2, CO2, N2).
- Non-invasive analysis of oxygen content.
- Oxidation induction time and temperature.
- Content and dispersion of carbon black.
- Volatile content.
- Humidity content (Karl-Fischer).
- Gel content (degree of crosslinking).
- Sensory analysis of plastics.
- Testing and analyses according to Legislation on Food Contact Plastics: overall migration, specific migration and/or residual substance contents, etc.
- Emissions testing for the automotive industry (carbon, formaldehyde, fogging, odour).
- Testing according to European Pharmacopoeia (EP) and US Pharmacopoeia (USP).
- VOCs analysis (volatile organic compounds).
- Tests on plastic materials and products
- Raw material.
- Packaging.
- Sheets.
- Tanks and small wastewater treatment systems.
- Piping and fitting.
- PVC profiles.
- Composite materials.
- Automotive components.
- Recycled materials.
In addition, AIMPLAS has collaboration agreements with other Technological Centres and Laboratories that allow us to offer our services at very competitive prices.
