Physical Testing Methods
These testing methods involve the measurement of physical characteristics of a material. They are especially useful for emulating how a product will behave when it is being used by the end user.
About Physical Testing Methods
Physical testing methods can include dimensional analysis, determination of a material's density or specific gravity, or measuring a materials strength under a tensile load, for example. These properties of polymers are key to specifying the correct resins and to verifying that the resin you received meets the specifications to which it was purchased.
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Approaches
Standard test methods are available for many of the physical tests. At PSI, these include:
- Tensile (ASTM D638, D412, D882)
- Compression (ASTM D695)
- Flex (ASTM D790)
- Friction (ASTM D1894)
- Dimensional Analysis
- Hardness (ASTM D2240, E18)-includes Rockwell
- Density (ASTM D792, D1505)
- Tear (ASTM D1004)
- Lap Shear (ASTM D1002)
- Compression Set (ASTM D395)
In some cases, a client wants to measure a physical property on their product rather than on a standard test piece. At PSI, we specialize in developing test methods to apply to your product. Examples include friction and compression testing of implants along with tensile testing of a molded part which required embedding in an epoxy in order to grip without breaking.
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Sample Considerations
Sample considerations will vary depending on the test method used.
For many physical tests, 5 replicates are required, with extra parts requested for test setup.
Tyipcally, molded parts or slabs are needed.
Contact us to talk through your testing needs and sample considerations.
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Products We've Tested
We have over 25 years experience testing a wide variety of products and materials with physical test methods. Below is a brief list, which demonstrates the diversity in our abilities to meet our clients needs.
- Implants for friction
- Orthopedic screws for compression in PBS
- Dimensional Analysis on bullets
- Density on pellets/resin
- Density on grocery bags to determine composition [density gradient]
- Human Placenta for tensile properties
- Sporting goods
- Cure in Place Pipe
- O-Rings