Aging & Chemical Resistance Testing

Samples are aged under controlled environmental conditions for specified periods of time. Aging typically fall under three categories:

In vitro aging: Samples are aged in a pH 7.4 buffer at 37°C (98.6 °F) to simulate exposure to the human body. Used with permanent and degradable medical implants.

Chemical resistance testing: Samples are exposed to chemicals and temperatures potentially encountered during normal use. Often used with engineering materials.

Accelerated aging: Can be performed with any type of aging experiment. Samples are exposed to temperatures in excess of normal use to estimate the effects of prolonged exposures without performing a real-time test.

Applications:

• ASTM F1216
• ASTM D543
• ISO 10993

Above: Medical implant and molecular weight data from aging test

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Work We've Done

Degradation study of implantable foam

A client had a sample of foam material designed for use in permanent medical implants. The samples were tested by in vitro aging for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. At each time period the weight and dimensions of the samples were measured and they were visually inspected to determine if degradation occurred. No evidence of degradation was observed.

Chemical resistance testing of pipe sections

A client had a sample of pipe for chemical resistance testing. The pipe was sectioned into 45 identical sections, which were tested in groups of five. Pipe sections were aged for 31 days in water, soap solution, detergent solution, olive oil, gasoline, 10% sulfuric acid, 10% phosphoric acid, and 5% nitric acid. Pipe sections were then tested on the MTS for physical strength.

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