Product or Material Characterisation and Expertise

Checking that a product or a material complies with user specifications.

Tests objectives :

• Determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of samples of liquids or solids: Analysis of products and materials (crystalline silica, components of a cleaning product, paint, sintered brake shoe, polymer, etc.)
• Assess corrosion resistance of a material with regard to a product
• Determine material-product compatibility
• Characterize material behaviour with regard to tags and cleaning products

Tests facilities :

• X-ray fluorescence
• X-ray diffraction
• Atomic emission spectroscopy
• Infrared equipment
• Characterization of physico-chemical properties
• Thermal analyses (DSC, TGA)
• pH meter
• Conductivity meter

Accreditations :

ISO/IEC 17025 awarded by COFRAC and LAB GTA 94 accreditation guide

Testing norms :

Standards required for meeting COFRAC LAB GTA 94 requirements and customer needs

Determining the causes of failure and life cycles of polymers and elastomers and their compatibility with other products.

Tests objectives :

• Determine physico-chemical properties of a material (mainly polymers or elastomers)
• Conduct comparative studies between two materials
• Study compatibility of a material and its environment
• Understand the ageing process by conducting polymer deformulation or hardness measurements

Tests facilities :

• Analytical Coupling TGA / GC-MS – Thermo Gravimetric Analysis
• Infrared spectrometry
• Plasma spectrometry (ICP)

Analyze and assess failures and lifetime of rubber-based parts as well as their compatibility with other products.

Tests objectives :

• Qualify products and parts
• Analyze failures
• Develop specifications
• Assess potential life cycle (standards and specifications)
• Study rubber compatibility with oil
• Check resistance to cleaning products
• Study and develop products for operation at low temperature

Tests facilities :

4 tension/compression testing machines: 0-20kN / 0-100kN / 0-200kN / 0-400kN
Rubber Parts

• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), IR Spectroscopy – for physico-chemical analysis of rubber
• DRC and DRA: Compression set + Residual deformation after elongation
• Devices for measuring hardness, DIDC, Shore A and D, tension, tear and resistance to low temperatures (TR10 and Brittle point)
• Equipment for testing pressure resistance (seals, pipes, hoses)
• Tools for measuring resistance to environmental conditions (heat, oil, coolant, etc.)

Rubber-Metal Parts

• Instruments for measuring:
  – Static stiffness (before and after ageing, and at high and low temperature)
  – Dynamic stiffness (before and after ageing)
  – Creep and stress relaxation
  – Adhesion
  – Resistance to environmental conditions

Testing norms :

EN 13913 et STM R 702 -Rubber suspension components – Elastomer-based mechanical parts

NF F 00071 – Moulded parts in compact rubber

NF F 00072 – Extruded parts in compact rubber

NF F 11-380 – Flexible rubber-based hoses for compressed air

EN 15807 – Pneumatic half couplings

STM D-001 et D-002, STM D-050, STM F-024, STM F-602, STM D-802 et D-803