A Comprehensive Guide on How to Test Plastic Materials

How to test plastic material properties

There are a variety of packaging options for various foods. It is crucial to consider the features of both the food and the packing material when deciding on the best course of action (as stated in selecting optimal solutions) depending on possessions.

Come, let us inspect the box more closely. How can I evaluate the quality of plastic? The solution is straightforward  have each property measured in a dedicated laboratory for evaluating plastics. Do you want to find out more information about tests like these? 

Some plastics need particular friction properties in order to be used in packaging solutions and packaging devices; hence, friction tests are a crucial part of the plastics testing process. When plastics are subjected to friction, their characteristics alter. This is because of the polymer or additive employed, the production method, the surface structure, and the surrounding environment.

We evaluate the coefficient of friction between plastic and metal using a device that brings the two materials into contact with one another.

Tensile Tests

The tensile strength and elongation at break of plastics is measured by testing their breaking points. 

In what way is this evaluation executed? By repeatedly stressing a reference specimen in axial tension until cracking occurs. The test results will be graphically displayed for your review.

Tests for Peel Resistance

The strength of adhesive bonding can be evaluated with this helpful test. Two test pieces are used for this purpose, with one end joined (or cemented) together and the other end left unbonded. If the adhesive bond between the two materials is strong enough, the ensuing graph will show the average peel resistance.

Analysis of Weld Strength

Our leak test ensures that your containers will keep your food safe, especially if they contain liquids or are designed to have a high barrier. Food packaging materials, like top film and bags or pouches, must undergo this test before being put into circulation.

Tests Using Chromatorrhium Gas

EU Regulation No. 10/2011 on plastic materials and items intended to come into contact with food requires this test to be conducted to guarantee that residual solvents in plastics do not exceed 10 mg/dm2.

In addition to the internal standard, this procedure can identify up to 14 additional solvent types. The amount of solvent that can be retained by our system is 20 times lower than what is required by regulation. 

Heat Test Samples

In a previous article, we discussed how hot-tack testing is crucial in gauging filling efficiency. The hot sealing performance of packaging materials is evaluated during manufacturing, when accuracy is of the utmost importance.

Permeability To Oxygen

The oxygen permeation test is used to evaluate plastic films and packaging for their ability to maintain food freshnes.

Punctage Analysis

One of the most crucial tests, this measures how resistant a plastic is to being pierced or punctured. When choosing between materials, it’s crucial to know how much force the container can resist because punctures can be produced by the shape of the food or even by outside forces. 

Analysis of tear resilience

The tensile strength of laminated or multilayer plastic films is evaluated by tearing them at a constant rate of motion. When choosing a material for use in bags and pouches that must be opened by hand, the findings of these tests are invaluable. 

Foods are typically pasteurized or sterile-filtered after being packaged. This is why certain types of packaging must maintain their integrity for extended periods of time in extremely hot conditions. The material’s behavior at controlled temperatures and times can be evaluated with this test, which can be carried out in a bath or autoclave.

The Robinson Index

In order to verify that the organoleptic qualities of packaged foods are not compromised, a sensory analysis technique is employed. Only trained professionals should conduct this examination.

Test pressure with a Plastic bag.

Compressed air is injected into a plastic bag or pouch to check for flaws along the weld lines. Submerging the bag in water speeds up the testing process. 

Test for anti-fog

Condensation on the inside of a package can be avoided by doing this test to evaluate a material’s anti-fog characteristics. The temperature of a specimen is kept between 7 and 10 degrees for 24 hours while it is being closely watched. At SP Group, we put a wide variety of materials through this test. 

Microscopic Investigating

Insight into material structure and exploration of novel materials are made possible by this testing method.

Tracking the layers

The thickness and number of film layers may be calculated with this test, making it a valuable tool. This analysis can also determine the materials used to create the specimen down to the micron range.

Analysis of caloric expenditure by differential scanning

What happens to a polymer when it’s heated to extreme temperatures can be determined with this method of testing. Fusion, crystallization, the glass transition, and melting temperatures are only some of the thermal transition qualities it measures.

Video 01:How to Test the Tensile Strength of Plastic