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Mission







In the PCL Physical Mechanical testing labs, we specialize in the physical and mechanical testing of aromatic specialty polymers and thermoplastic composites. Physical mechanical testing of polymers is a vital part of the product development and production process. Our capabilities span a wide spectrum, encompassing routine and standardized testing procedures as well as the evaluation of intricate components and specialized or non-routine testing. Our primary focus is to provide support to the Specialty Polymer Research and Development (R&D) teams, Customer Technical Development (CTD) teams, as well as the manufacturing and quality control groups.

We take great pride in being an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, adhering to strict quality requirements and documentation practices that pertain to our accredited scope of testing. Our accreditation scope includes the following tests: 

  • Tensile - ISO 527, ASTM D638, ASTM D1708
  • Flex - ISO 178, ASTM D790
  • Impact - ISO 179, ISO 180, ASTM D256
  • Multi-axial impact - ASTM D3763
  • HDT - ISO 75, ASTM D648
  • Specific gravity/density - ISO 1183-1, ASTM D792
  • Mold shrinkage - ISO 294-4, ASTM D955
  • Conditioning of plastics - ASTM D618

Techniques

Specialty Polymers

Thermoplastic Composites (TPC)

  • Tension
  • Flexure
  • Short beam shear (SBS)
  • In-plane shear
  • Compression
  • GIC, GIIC

Team 

Contact

Title

Office/Lab

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Physical Mechanical

ISO 17025 accreditation 

Physical Mechanical Lab Supervisor

Research Scientist

Office E1046

Lab E1002 

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Chris Batson

Physical Mechanical

TPC testing

Associate Research Scientist

E1010

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Ivan Akimov

Physical Mechanical

Analyst

Lab E1002

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Chianne Alford

Physical Mechanical

Analyst

E1002

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John Cown

Physical Mechanical

Analyst

E1002

Cubicle E1028.6

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Quinn Greaves

Physical Mechanical

Analyst

E1002

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Guang Ji

Physical Mechanical

Analyst

E1002

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Ben Zusmann

Physical Mechanical

Analyst

E1002

Cubicle E1028.5

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Ash, Moisture, Color, Particle size, Pellet Quality, BET

Full range testing lab for physical mechanical properties of materials

  • Variety of Universal Testing Machines (UTM)
      • Tests (-40°C to 250°C)
  • Tensile (ASTM D638, ISO 527): ability to resist breaking in340px tension (strength)

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  • Compression (ASTM D695): ability to withstand compressive loads before fracturing 
      • Investment in new machines and capabilities 
        • Tensile/Flex fully automated testing with measurement station and Kuka robotic arm
        • 100 kN floor frame with larger capacity environmental chamber (higher strength materials)
        • 5 kN single column frame (small parts, films, filaments)
  • Pendulum Impact Testers
      • Tests (-40°C to 23°C)
  • Izod impact (ASTM D256, ISO 180)
  • Charpy Impact (ISO 179)

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  • Multi-axial impact (-40⁰C to 100⁰C, ASTM D3763)
    • Drop/Instrumented impact with load-deflection curves
  • HDT/Vicat (ASTM D648, ISO 75, ASTM 1525, ISO 306)
    • Temperature at which plastic deformation takes place under load
    • Investment in new machine with more automated sample loading and safety features
  • Hardness
    • Rockwell Hardness (ASTM D785, ISO 2039) & Shore A,D (ASTM D2240, ISO 7619)
    • Measurement of resistance to localized plastic deformation
    • Replacement of both hardness testers allows for PC connection for data transfer
  • Density/Specific Gravity (ASTM D792, ISO 1183)
    • Invested in new balance to allow for automatic measurement transfer to PC
  • Flammability testing (UL94)
    • New flame chamber coming in Q4 2022. New chamber features a semi-automatic design with spindle system for positioning samples and burner and built-in gauges for flame height and samples.  

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Composite & Thermoplastic Composites (TPC)

Testing in Composites & TPC materials 

  • Tensile D3039, Flex D7264 (-40⁰C to 200⁰C)
  • Short beam shear D2344 (-40⁰C to 200⁰C)
  • Compression D6441 & D695 (-40⁰C to 200⁰C)
  • In-plane shear D3518 (-40⁰C to 200⁰C)
  • GIC, GIIC
  • In house “T-pull” test for overmolded specimens

New Investments

  • 100 kN load frame with environmental chamber 
  • VideoXtens 
    • Non-contact strain measurements for a variety of tests
    • Eliminates need for strain gauges
  • GIC camera assembly - allows for crack propagation tracking in real time

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