Plastics are used in nearly every industry, including automotive, aerospace, medical devices, consumer goods, and packaging. To meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements, manufacturers rely on plastic testing equipment to evaluate material properties such as strength, durability, thermal stability, and chemical resistance.
Without proper testing, plastic components can fail under real-world conditions, leading to product recalls, safety risks, and financial losses. By selecting the right testing equipment, companies can prevent defects, improve product reliability, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
This guide explores different types of plastic testing equipment, their applications, and key factors to consider when choosing the best testing solutions for specific needs.
Why Plastic Testing Equipment is Essential
Plastics experience various stresses throughout their lifecycle, including mechanical loads, temperature fluctuations, chemical exposure, and UV radiation. To ensure long-term performance, manufacturers use specialized testing methods to measure:
- Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact resistance, and hardness
- Thermal behavior, including heat deflection and melt flow rate
- Chemical resistance against solvents, acids, and other substances
- Durability under environmental conditions like UV exposure, humidity, and extreme temperatures
Proper testing allows manufacturers to optimize material selection, reduce product failures, and improve overall quality.
Types of Plastic Testing Equipment
1. Tensile Testing Machine
A tensile tester measures the strength and elongation of plastic materials when stretched. This test determines how much force a plastic sample can withstand before breaking.
Common applications:
- Evaluating polymer blends and composite materials
- Testing plastic films, sheets, and molded parts
- Ensuring compliance with ASTM D638 and ISO 527 standards
2. Impact Testing Equipment
Impact testers assess how well plastics resist sudden forces or shocks, which is crucial for helmets, automotive parts, and packaging materials.
Common impact testing methods:
- Izod impact test – Measures the resistance of a notched plastic sample to a swinging pendulum strike
- Charpy impact test – Similar to Izod but involves striking an unnotched sample
- Drop weight test – Used for testing large plastic components under real-world conditions
3. Melt Flow Index (MFI) Tester
A melt flow index tester determines how easily a plastic material flows when melted, making it critical for injection molding and extrusion processes.
Why it matters:
- Ensures consistent processing and material quality
- Helps manufacturers select the right polymer grade
- Complies with ASTM D1238 and ISO 1133 standards
4. Hardness Tester
A hardness tester measures how resistant a plastic material is to indentation or scratching, which is essential for evaluating plastic components used in automotive, electronics, and construction applications.
Types of hardness tests for plastics:
- Shore hardness (ASTM D2240) – Measures surface hardness using Shore A or Shore D durometers
- Rockwell hardness (ASTM D785) – Used for harder plastic materials
- Barcol hardness – Ideal for fiberglass-reinforced plastics and composites
5. Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) and Vicat Softening Point Tester
This equipment determines how plastics behave under high temperatures.
- HDT test – Measures the temperature at which a plastic sample deforms under load
- Vicat softening test – Identifies the temperature at which a plastic sample begins to soften under pressure
These tests are essential for materials used in automotive components, piping systems, and electrical insulation.
6. Flammability Testing Equipment
Fire safety is critical for plastics used in electronics, transportation, and construction. Flammability testers assess how quickly plastics ignite, burn, and self-extinguish.
Common flammability tests:
- UL 94 vertical and horizontal burn tests
- LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) test to determine the minimum oxygen concentration required for combustion
- Cone calorimeter test to measure heat release rate and smoke production
7. Chemical Resistance Testing Equipment
This testing method evaluates how plastics react to chemicals, oils, and solvents. It is commonly used in medical, automotive, and industrial applications.
Common tests include:
- Stress-crack resistance (ASTM D1693) – Assesses how plastic resists cracking when exposed to detergents or solvents
- Acid and alkali resistance tests – Measures degradation when in contact with acidic or basic solutions
8. Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR) Tester
ESCR testing determines how plastics resist cracking under prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as chemicals, moisture, and stress.
This test is essential for:
- Plastic containers and packaging
- Automotive fuel tanks
- Pipes and fittings in chemical processing industries
9. UV Weathering and Aging Test Chamber
UV exposure can cause color fading, brittleness, and material degradation in plastics. A UV weathering tester simulates years of sunlight exposure in just weeks by exposing plastics to UV light, temperature variations, and moisture cycles.
Applications:
- Evaluating outdoor plastic furniture and automotive parts
- Testing coatings, films, and packaging materials
- Ensuring compliance with ASTM G154 and ISO 4892 standards
How to Choose the Right Plastic Testing Equipment
1. Type of Plastic Material
Different plastics require different testing methods. Flexible plastics, such as films and rubber, need tensile and impact tests, while rigid plastics require hardness and thermal tests.
2. Industry Standards and Regulations
Ensure the testing equipment complies with ISO, ASTM, UL, and other industry-specific standards to guarantee reliable and legally compliant results.
3. Testing Conditions
Consider environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and chemical exposure to simulate real-world conditions accurately.
4. Testing Volume and Automation
If conducting high-volume testing, automated plastic testing equipment can increase efficiency and reduce human error.
5. Budget and Maintenance
Investing in high-quality equipment ensures long-term reliability with minimal maintenance requirements.
Final Thoughts
Plastic testing equipment is essential for ensuring that plastic materials meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements across multiple industries. Whether testing mechanical strength, thermal behavior, chemical resistance, or environmental durability, the right testing methods help improve product quality, optimize manufacturing processes, and reduce material failures.
Selecting the right plastic testing equipment and following international testing standards ensures that plastic components perform safely and reliably in real-world applications. Whether in automotive, aerospace, construction, medical devices, or packaging, investing in high-quality testing equipment is crucial for maintaining product integrity and customer satisfaction.