Automotive
Analytical services for automotive suppliers
Our plastics laboratory has numerous microscopic and spectroscopic methods available to determine the cause of contamination or injection molding defects, for example, as part of a plastics damage analysis . The experts in our plastics laboratory also have extensive experience in analyzing problems during the further processing of plastics, such as galvanization or painting, or when unexpected changes occur to the plastic component due to external influences.
Our plastics testing laboratory checks the specifications of an injection-molded part and/or the polymer. Component tests include, for example, mechanical, thermal, optical or rheological properties, but also geometry, density, paint layer thickness, electrical resistance, etc. In addition, our chemical laboratory offers you polymer characterization through chemical analysis of the plastic used with regard to polymer type, additive and filler content, moisture, solution viscosity and many other parameters, or we analyze the emissions emanating from the component.
In a test laboratory specially designed for the automotive industry , plastic products are tested for their quality. Environmental simulation allows the influence of light, temperature, humidity, harmful gases or salt mist to be reproduced in the laboratory. In addition, the chemical resistance of the plastic surface to various media (sweat, oils, sunscreen, solvents, etc.) can be tested and the abrasion resistance examined.
We would be happy to provide you with a non-binding offer for plastics testing that is optimized to your requirements.
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Test standards
Solution viscosity
Viscosity number and intrinsic viscosity
Solution viscosity measures the average molecular weight of plastics by measuring the viscosity number VN. This enables the monitoring of processing and usage properties as well as the investigation of aging, chemical effects and weathering.
Standards such as DIN EN ISO 307 for polyamides and DIN ISO 1628-5 for polyesters regulate the process. Other parameters such as relative viscosity and specific viscosity describe the change in the solvent caused by the polymer. The intrinsic viscosity (also called limiting viscosity) is estimated by series of measurements or approximate methods such as that of Billmeyer.
Melt flow index
Volume flow rate and mass flow rate
The melt flow index is often referred to by the English abbreviations MFI (melt flow index) or MI (melt index). It is used to characterize the flow behavior of a thermoplastic and thus its degree of polymerization.
Through comparative measurements, the MFI is suitable for detecting material contamination and processing defects. Therefore, the melt flow index is used as standard in quality assurance or damage analysis.
A distinction is made between the volume flow rate (MVR, melt volume-flow rate) and the mass flow rate (MFR). Both are linked to each other via the melt density; the measurement method is described in DIN EN ISO 1133 and is a routine procedure in plastics analysis.
Soxhlet extraction
Extraction by organic solvents
DIN EN ISO 6427 describes a variety of possible processes for a wide range of plastics and solvents. The method to be used depends on the material and the question. The extracts enable statements to be made regarding the dissolved monomers and oligomers, plasticizers, non-crosslinked resin components, emulsifiers and more.
Moisture content of polymer granules
The residual moisture is an important parameter in the further processing of plastics. Excessive moisture leads to injection molding defects or even polymer degradation during further processing. Using the Karl Fischer method described in DIN EN ISO 15512, the water content is specifically determined quantitatively by titration.
Other emissions when heating the granulate are not included in the measurement. The plastic sample is heated in an airtight sealed vessel and the released moisture is transferred to the titration unit via a carrier gas stream.
Ignition residue and ash content
The ignition residue describes the residual mass of an organic substance after combustion and continuous heating at high temperatures until constant mass is reached.
It is a measure of the content of inorganic components in the polymer, such as glass fibers. DIN EN ISO 3451-1 describes several methods for determining this residual mass, called ash or sulfate ash (depending on the process).
Melt flow index
Volume flow rate and mass flow rate
The melt flow index is often referred to by the English abbreviations MFI (melt flow index) or MI (melt index). It is used to characterize the flow behavior of a thermoplastic and thus its degree of polymerization.
Through comparative measurements, the MFI is suitable for detecting material contamination and processing defects. Therefore, the melt flow index is used as standard in quality assurance or damage analysis.
A distinction is made between the volume flow rate (MVR, melt volume-flow rate) and the mass flow rate (MFR). Both are linked to each other via the melt density; the measurement method is described in DIN EN ISO 1133 and is a routine procedure in plastics analysis.
Melt flow index
The melt flow index is often referred to by the English abbreviations MFI (melt flow index) or MI (melt index). It is used to characterize the flow behavior of a thermoplastic and thus its degree of polymerization.
Through comparative measurements, the MFI is suitable for detecting material contamination and processing defects. Therefore, the melt flow index is used as standard in quality assurance or damage analysis.
A distinction is made between the volume flow rate (MVR, melt volume-flow rate) and the mass flow rate (MFR). Both are linked to each other via the melt density; the measurement method is described in DIN EN ISO 1133 and is a routine procedure in plastics analysis.
Test standards
Injection molding defects
During injection molding, various molding defects can occur, such as streaks, sink marks, blistering, weld lines, shiny spots, dull spots, warping, etc. Some affect the optical appearance and can lead to complaints, while others deteriorate the mechanical properties and can even lead to premature failure.
This can also negatively affect further processing, such as galvanization.
The damage analysis of injection molding defects begins with the classification of defects based on characteristics on the component surface or cross-sectional examinations. By identifying various defect characteristics, the physical causes can be narrowed down. An analysis of the influencing factors provides information on how to reduce defects or avoid them by adjusting the processing parameters. Our specialized testing laboratory for plastics analyzes cases of damage to injection molded parts.
Errors in the plastic
galvanization
Nowadays, PC/ABS materials are mostly used for plastic electroplating. The quality of electroplated plastic surfaces is also influenced by the manufacturing conditions of the plastic parts themselves. Increased reject rates often occur due to spots, specks, bubbles or insufficient layer adhesion. The causes of these defects can be found in both the injection molding process and the electroplating.
Injection molding defects on the raw part are usually also visible on the finished galvanized component. However, hidden defects that were not observed on the raw part can also be amplified by the galvanizing process and thus become visible. In addition, there are defects that can be traced back to deposition defects in the galvanization process, over-aging of the baths or unsuitable galvanization conditions.
A systematic, microscopic analysis of the finished part and the raw part helps to determine the cause of defects in galvanized plastic parts and reduce scrap rates.
Contamination of components
Contamination can occur at any stage of the process, from raw materials to transportation. Various spectroscopic and microscopic methods are used to analyze damage depending on the type of contamination.
For liquid raw materials, NMR spectroscopy is recommended for the detection of organic contaminants, while XRF spectroscopy is suitable for trace inorganic contaminants.
In the case of surface contamination, scanning electron microscopy and IR spectroscopy are used to analyse the defects. The composition and morphology of the contamination provide clues as to its origin. Some contamination is invisible but can cause problems during further processing. Specially adapted examination methods are required here.
A systematic damage analysis enables the characterization and determination of the cause of contamination on plastic parts, which helps to reduce scrap rates. Our damage analysis tailored to your requirements can help with this.