TPE Test Methods
TPE test capabilities of Elastron R&D Lab:
TGA - THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
Test Standard: ISO 11358-1
Aim: Thermogravimetric analysis is done to determine the temperature and speed of polymer decomposition and as well as the amount of volatile, medium volatile substances, additives and/or fillers in the polymer structure.
Test Device: Thermogravimetric Analyser
DSC - DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY – DETERMINATION OF MELTING AND CRYSTALIZATION TEMPERATURES
Test Standard: ISO 11357-1, ISO 11357-3
Aim: The melting and crystallization temperatures and enthalpies of crystalline or semi-crystalline polymers are determined.
Test Device: Differential Scanning Calorimetry
DSC - DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY – DETERMINATION OF GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE (TG)
Test Standard: ISO 11357-1, ISO 11357-2
Aim: Glass transition temperatures (Tg) of amorphous or semi-crystalline polymers are determined.
Test Device: Differential Scanning Calorimetry
FTIR - FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY - QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
Test Standard: ASTM E 1252
Aim: Structures and functional groups of polymers are defined.
Test Device: FTIR- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer
HARDNESS TEST
Test Standard: ASTM D 2240
Aim: Hardness of thermoplastic elastomers are determined in Shore A and Shore D units.
Test Device: Shore meter (A&D)
DENSITY MEASUREMENT
Test Standard: ASTM D 792
Aim: Specific gravities of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and other polymers in solid form are calculated with the help of alcohol.
Test Device: Analytical Balance and Density Kit
COMPRESSION SET
Test Standard: ASTM D 395 – Method B
Aim: After a force is applied to the thermoplastic elastomer material in different time and temperatures, ability to prevent elastic properties of material is measured. The permanent deformation remaining is measured after applied some pressure in a known temperature and time.
Test Device: Compression Set Apparatus
FOGGING TEST
Test Standard: ISO 6452, PV 3015 – Gravimetric (mg), Refract metric (%)
Aim: Amount of volatile structures, that they can migrate to the environment during usage, inside thermoplastic elastomers, is determined by fogging test.
Test Device: Fogging Tester
TENSILE STRENGTH AND ELONGATION TESTS
Test Standard: ASTM D 412
Aim: Under static load, elastic and plastic behaviour of thermoplastic elastomers are determined.
Test Device: Extensometer
TEARING TEST
Test Standard: ASTM D 624
Aim: The resistance of thermoplastic elastomers against tearing is measured.
Test Device: Extensometer
MELTING FLOW INDEX (MFI)
Test Standard: ASTM D 1238
Aim: The melting flow index of a melted thermoplastic elastomer is measured.
Test Device: MFI Device
CHEMICAL AGING TEST
Test Standard: ASTM D 471
Aim: The resistance of thermoplastic elastomers against some chemicals (liquid) and their effects are measured.
Test Device: Chemical Aging Test Cabinet, Air Aging Ovens
IZOD AND CHARPY IMPACT TESTS
Test Standard: ASTM D 256
Aim: The resistance of material against impact is measured. The kinetic energy necessary for cracking and breaking the material is calculated.
Test Device: Impact test device
COLOR MEASUREMENT (l.a.b.)
Test Standard: -
Aim: Ligthness and darkness value-l value, red-green values-a value and yellow-blue value-b value are measured for thermoplastic elastomers.
Test Device: Colorimeter
GLOSS MEASUREMENT
Test Standard: ASTM D 523
Aim: The gloss of the thermoplastic elastomers' surfaces is measured.
Test Device: Gloss meter
pH MEASUREMENT
Test Standard: -
Aim: The change effect the pH value of the liquids in contact with thermoplastic elastomers is measured.
Test Device: pH Meter
KINEMATIC VISCOSITY TEST
Test Standard: -
Aim: Viscosity of liquids or dissolved solids are measured.
Test Device: Kinematic Viscometer
MOONEY VISCOSITY TEST
Test Standard: ASTM D 1646
Aim: Mooney viscosity value of rubber is measured.
Test Device: Mooney Viscometer
HUMIDITY DETERMINATION
Test Standard: -
Aim: Humidity of thermoplastic elastomers is measured with the help of weight loss quantitatively.
Test Device: Moisture Determination Device
HORIZONTAL FLAMMABILITY TEST
Test Standard: UL 94- HB
Aim: The flammability performances of thermoplastic elastomers are determined as horizontally.
Test Device: Horizontal Flame Chamber
SOXHLET EXTRACTION
Test Standard: -
Aim: Fluids within the thermoplastic elastomer is extracted, the liquid material dissolved in the solvent inside solid material is quantitatively measured.
Test Device: Soxhlet Extraction Mechanism
POLYMER GEL CONTENT TEST
Test Standard: -
Aim: Crosslink percentage of thermoplastic vulcanizates is calculated.
Test Device: Soxhlet Extraction Mechanism
ODOUR TEST
Test Standard: VDA 270
Aim: Thermoplastic elastomers are graded according to their odour class.
Test Device: Oven, Beaker
UV AGING TEST
Test Standard: ASTM G 154
Aim: The changes of thermoplastic elastomers under UV light are observed in a accelerated aging way.
Test Device: Accelerated UV Test Device
SCRATCH AND ABRASION TEST
Test Standard: -
Aim: Scratch and abrasion properties of thermoplastic elastomers are determined by different type edges.
Test Device: Abrasion Test Device
WEATHEROMETER TEST
Test Standard: ASTM D 2565, ASTM D 4459, ISO4582
Aim: Prolonged exposure to the ambient conditions of thermoplastic elastomers like temperature, light or humidity are simulated. The colour change and/or other surface changes as cracking/scratching are analysed.
Test Device: Weathering Cabinet