Physical Testing
Our Methods at a Glance
The measurement of physical material properties is suitable for ruling out material mix-ups, but also provides additional information on the quality of a plastic.
Roughness
Using a profilometer, the surface of a sample is scanned with a needle of defined geometry, and standardized roughness parameters are calculated. While usually only the average roughness Ra is considered, there are many other parameters, such as bearing ratio, roughness depth, etc., which allow for a more meaningful description of the surface depending on the specific question.
Hardness
Hardness is the mechanical resistance that a material offers to the mechanical penetration of a harder indenter. Depending on the material, various hardness testing methods are distinguished. While for metals, Vickers hardness or Rockwell hardness corresponds to permanent deformations in the surface, Shore hardness A and D are used for elastomers and plastics (DIN ISO 48-4).