Plastics testing
The evaluation of plastic materials may include the determination of material flammability (burning characteristics), ignition characteristics from various thermal and electrical sources, electrical tracking and other electrical characteristics, and analytical tests. In addition, the effect of long-term exposure to elevated temperature (air-oven aging), water, ultraviolet light, cold, etc., on property-retention may be evaluated.
Properties evaluated by UL include
- UL 94 flammability
- UL 746A electrical and mechanical properties
- UL 746B thermal-aging program
- UL 746C file review
- Outdoor suitability program for plastics
- Components -- concentrates
- Color concentrates
Materials for use in special environments is the investigation of materials for specific end-use product applications where requirements exist for the retention of properties after exposure to certain critical operating and/or environmental conditions. This would include exposure to various types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
