Automotive
Analytical services for automotive suppliers
Complete solutions from release testing
from environmental simulation to damage analysis
There are separate pages specifically for automotive suppliers in the areas of plastics, paints and coatings, as well as chemical fibers and textiles, with typical questions relating to these key areas. We also examine other materials such as glass surfaces, friction linings, electronic components such as switches and circuit boards and much more.
As part of the automotive initial sample testing, our raw material and product analysis department carries out an identification test and specification test in accordance with your OEM specifications. Accordingly, we also test the resistance of your samples during various environmental simulation tests. We are happy to create your individual analysis package.
We can also analyze the composition of competitor products for you. It is precisely when things get difficult, namely when investigating cases of damage or complaints, that our damage analysis can help you. We are happy to act as an independent consultant and provide you with professionally prepared test reports that you can forward directly to your suppliers. If a complaint indicates process problems or if you are planning process optimization, we will be happy to support you.
IATF 16949, which is common in the automotive industry, requires the commissioning of ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratories for analyses. We have been meeting this requirement for many years. We offer you a comprehensive and fast analytical service from a single source.
Further Information:
Test standards
Initial sample testing according to automotive standards.
Test standards
Initial sample testing according to automotive standards.
Chemical resistance
Various resistance tests are used to determine how a material reacts to external influences at an accelerated rate. We carry out tests according to many common standards and OEM regulations.
Stress crack resistance according to DIN EN ISO 22088-3
Soiling behaviour and cleaning behaviour
Corrosion test / salt spray test (condensation test)
Abrasion & wear
Abrasion and wear tests are of great importance for the automotive industry. These tests subject vehicle components to various stresses in order to evaluate their resistance to abrasion and wear.
Scratch test / scratch test
Abrasion resistance, rub fastness or colour fastness (Crockmeter test according to DIN EN ISO 105-X12 l Testing with Abrex device according to DIN EN 60068-2-70 l Martindale method according to DIN EN ISO 12947)
Stone chip test according to DIN EN ISO 20567-1
Steam jet test according to DIN EN ISO 16925
Environmental Simulations
Technical products are exposed to various environmental influences that can affect their function and/or appearance and thus shorten their service life. Climatic tests artificially simulate long-term behavior under more severe conditions in order to qualify products for specific environmental conditions.
Hot and cold storage
Temperature change test
Humidity storage l Condensation water constant climate test Hot water test l Hydrolysis ageing
Lightfastness test I UV resistance I Hot light ageing Sunlight simulation test
Weathering
Emissions testing
Plastics can release undesirable, disruptive or toxic chemical compounds. Car manufacturers have therefore started to regulate the type and quantity of emissions. Depending on the OE, the regulations for automotive suppliers stipulate various tests that must be carried out under precisely defined conditions.
Odour test (VDA 270)
Fogging test (DIN 75201-A, DIN 75201-B)
Emissions testing (VDA 275, VDA 277, VDA 278
Burning tests
Car manufacturers must ensure that the materials used in the vehicle do not burn at all or at most at a defined rate. To ensure this, determining the horizontal burning rate is often part of the scope of automotive approval tests.
Test chamber for combustion testing (ISO 3795, DIN 75200, GMW 3232, GB 8410, TL 1010, GS 97038, DBL 5307)
Burning tests according to DIN EN ISO 9773
Testing with the glow wire according to DIN EN 60695-2-11
Edge or surface flame treatment according to DIN 53438-2 I DIN 53438-3
Identity verification
Identity tests are often part of automotive testing to rule out material mix-ups. This involves not only simple polymer characterization, but also filler content (e.g. glass fibers) or the detection of prohibited additives or auxiliary materials.
Infrared spectroscopy (IR)
Glass fiber content
Mechanical tests
Mechanical testing evaluates the performance of materials and components throughout their life cycle. It identifies potential weak points and determines performance limits through tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness and other tests. These tests ensure that products meet the requirements of real-world operating conditions.
Tensile test (destructive material testing) according to DIN EN ISO 527-1
Bending test according to DIN EN ISO 178
Impact test I Notched bar impact test (tests according to Charpy DIN EN ISO 179-1 and IZOD DIN EN ISO 180)
Compression set DIN EN ISO 1856
Tear propagation test (test according to DIN ISO 34-1 on elastomers for seals and according to DIN EN ISO 8067 on foams)
Adhesive force and peel strength (roller peel test according to DIN EN 1372 with 90° peel angle or DIN EN 1464 with approx. 60° peel angle)
Physical tests
Physical tests are of central importance for the automotive industry. These tests subject vehicle components to various physical stresses in order to evaluate their robustness and reliability. Targeted test procedures simulate the reaction of the components to external influences.
Roughness using a phertometer
Vickers hardness or Rockwell hardness (for metals)
Shore hardness A and D for elastomers and plastics DIN ISO 48-4
Colour & Shine
The assessment of changes to a component through testing is usually initially carried out purely visually. The surface is compared with the initial state or an original sample under standardized lighting conditions. Evaluation tables or a gray scale are often taken into account in the assessment. Abnormalities such as blistering or paint peeling are also noted in the report.
Visual assessment (evaluation board, grey scale)
Gloss measurement (measurement range from deep matt to high gloss)
Color measurement (CIE Lab color space or spectral curves)
Test standards
Initial sample testing according to automotive standards.
OEM Listing
The ASO testing laboratory is accredited according to ISO 17025 and has been approved by numerous automobile manufacturers (OEMs).
We have approvals from various OEMs. Please refer to the respective document for the relevant scope of the listing.
In addition to the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 (or VDA 250), many OEMs have developed their own criteria for testing laboratories regarding automotive release tests.
Based on accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, test laboratories are approved/recommended by the OEMs for certain test procedures (e.g. emissions according to VW 50180, emissions (formaldehyde) according to BMW AA-0061, emissions according to Ford WSS–M99P2222, emissions according to GMW).
The criteria of the OEMs are very different and range from accreditation itself (including ring tests, etc.), participation in ring tests organized by the OEM (VW/Audi regarding emissions tests), on-site expert assessment (Opel), to the classification of release tests for the initial sampling of supplied parts (Mercedes Benz Group).
The lists of approved laboratories are available in the OEM-specific B2B portals and enable the supplier to select an approved testing laboratory.