This image was created with artificial intelligence – marked under Art. 50 of the AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. It is a placeholder until the company's photos arrive.Plastic testing: These methods deliver reliable results
Which test methods provide reliable data for plastics? Everything about tensile testing, hardness testing, thermal tests & standards.
The quality of engineering
determines the performance and reliability of numerous components in
. Whether in
, in
or the automotive sector: only through precise plastics testing can materials be assessed in accordance with standards and validated for the respective application. In this article you will learn which test methods deliver reliable results and how companies benefit from structured material testing.
Why plastics testing is indispensable
Strength and elasticity
Plastics often have to withstand high mechanical loads. By testing strength and elasticity, materials can be selected specifically for load-bearing or flexible applications.
Hardness and toughness
Surface hardness and impact toughness determine resistance to mechanical influences. Test methods provide reliable data for selecting hard or impact-tough materials.
Thermal properties
Temperature resistance and deformation behaviour under heat or cold are key criteria. Only targeted testing can verify these properties.
Ageing resistance
Many applications require a long service life. Ageing tests simulate long-term exposure to
,
and moisture.
Chemical resistance
Contact with oils, solvents or cleaning agents can damage plastics. Chemical resistance is therefore tested under defined conditions.
Dimensional stability and shape retention
Components must retain their shape under mechanical and thermal influences. Testing for dimensional stability is particularly relevant for engineering applications.
Without targeted testing, material risks often remain undetected – with expensive consequences in practice. – with expensive consequences in practice.
Overview of the most important plastics test methods
The choice of the right test method depends on the question at hand. Below is a structured overview of the most common methods:
| Method | Objective | Standard reference |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile test | Determination of tensile strength, elongation, modulus of elasticity | ISO 527 |
| Flexural test | Flexural strength and flexural modulus | ISO 178 |
| Charpy impact test | Impact toughness under sudden load | ISO 179 |
| Hardness test (Shore A/D) | Surface hardness for soft and hard plastics | ISO 868 |
| DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) | Glass transition, melting point, crystallinity | ISO 11357 |
| Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) | Decomposition temperature, filler content | ISO 11358 |
| Density test | Material identification and quality control | ISO 1183 |
| Creep test | Long-term deformation under load | ISO 899 |
Mechanical testing of plastics
Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength or impact toughness are decisive for the design of engineering components. These characteristic values influence not only the design but also safety and longevity in operation. Modern universal testing machines provide reproducible data that can be adopted directly into design and simulation models.
Particularly in comparison with metals, plastics exhibit viscoelastic behaviour that must be taken into account when interpreting the results. Specimen geometry, test speed and storage conditions also have a noticeable influence on the results. For this reason, standardised conditions and clean preparation of the test specimens are essential.
Thermal analysis methods
Thermoplastic plastics exhibit temperature-dependent properties. DSC and TGA provide important characteristic values such as:
- Glass transition temperature (Tg)
- Melting temperature (Tm)
- Degree of crystallinity
- Decomposition temperature
These values are essential for processing (e.g. injection moulding parameters) and the application limits of the material in the product.
Hardness and surface testing
For many applications, surface hardness is a decisive factor. Among other things, it influences scratch resistance, feel and wear properties of plastic components. Particularly in industries such as medical technology or vehicle manufacturing, these characteristics are of great relevance.
Testing is usually carried out with a standardised indenter under defined force and a fixed duration. The most common scales are Shore A for softer materials and Shore D for hard thermoplastics. Depending on the area of application, microhardness tests or instrumented methods may also be useful, for example when locally limited hardness changes are to be recorded.
Non-destructive plastics testing
Not all tests result in destruction of the specimen. Especially for expensive semi-finished products or finished machined components, non-destructive methods are relevant, e.g.:
- Ultrasonic testing (internal defects, homogeneity)
- Thermography (heat conduction, defects)
- Computed tomography (geometry, inclusions)
However, these methods are more complex and usually only available in specialised testing laboratories.
Standards & specifications: safety through comparability
Standard-compliant testing enables reliable comparisons across batches, suppliers or materials. Relevant standards include:
- ISO 527 (tensile test)
- ISO 178 (flexural test)
- ISO 868 (hardness test)
- ISO 11357 (DSC)
A standard-compliant test report is a fixed component of many quality management systems.
Our service: plastics testing for industrial applications
For industrial companies we offer comprehensive plastics testing in accordance with common standards as well as on the basis of individual specifications. Our equipment enables the execution of both standardised and customer-specific material tests under realistic conditions.
Whether individual testing, series comparison or the development of new materials: from us you receive not only reliable measured values but also a traceable, practice-oriented evaluation by experienced material experts. On request, we support you with the interpretation of the results, the creation of test plans or the establishment of your own quality assurance system.
Get in touch with us if you have testing requirements or would like to systematically optimise your material quality.
Targeted plastics testing secures success
Reliable material data are the basis for safe, economical and innovative plastics applications. The selection of suitable test methods, compliance with relevant standards and the practice-oriented evaluation of the results make the difference. Plastics testing is not a formal act but a central component of modern product development and manufacturing.