More than ever before, plastics are being used to manufacture consumer and commercial goods across the world. From medical devices to automotive fasteners, plastics have made their way into nearly every industry. In order to confirm that the plastics used are appropriate for the application, both the raw material and finished goods must undergo quality control testing to ensure critical properties, such as tensile and flexural strength, meet industry standards.
Physical testing of plastics has been around for decades. However, as new polymers and processing techniques are developed, the standards for physical properties have also adapted to the ever-changing landscape. If you’re testing plastics, whether for research and development or quality control purposes, it’s critical to keep up to date on your standards to ensure the most accurate and reliable results.