Polymer physics

Polymer physics

 
Mechanical characteristic

Tension test

・plastics, FRP：JIS K 7161-1,2 K 7164, K 7165 (ISO 527-1,2 -4,5), ASTM D638, former JIS K 7113, former JIS K 7054, former JIS K 7161, K 7162 (2014/9 disappeared) ※We also accept examinations with certification symbols of ISO/IEC 17025 (limited standards). ・rubbers：JIS K 6251(ISO 37), ASTM D412 ・films, sheets：JIS K 7127(ISO 527-3), ASTM D882 ・high speed tension test (0.01m/s～5.0m/s, room air temperature only)

Digital Image Correlation (DIC)

This is a method to calculate the transformations or deformations of a sample in a non-contact way in three dimensions by tracking the transformations of the surface pattern which is administered on the sample.

Bend test

・plastics, FRP：JIS K 7171(ISO 178)、ASTM D 790 ・FRP bend test：JIS K 7017(GFRP)、JIS K 7074(CFRP) ※we deal with bend tests in which distance between supports is 1m as well as three-point and four-point bend specimen.

Compression test

・plastic compression test：JIS K 7181(ISO 604)、ASTM D 695 ・FRP in-plane compression test：JIS K 7018(FRP)

Shear test – punching shear test – FRP transverse shear test – FRP interlaminar shear test

In punching shear tests (JIS K 7214), we conduct shear strength tests targeting at rigid plastic by die cutting using circular punch type shear jig. An FRP transverse shear test (JIS K 7058) examines the transverse shear strength when using a Johnson-type two-sided jig and applying a vertical load to a lamination plane of glass fiber reinforced plastics. An FRP interlaminar shear test (JIS K 7057［FRP］, JIS K 7078［CFRP］, ASTM D 2344, ISO 14130［FRP］) targets at fiber-reinforced plastic or carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and examines shear strength by a three-point bend test with a short span and destruction between layers.

Shear test- FRP ±45° in-plane shear

We calculate in-plane shear stress and deformations by ±45°tensile method, targeting at fiber-reinforced plastic. We use the processed specimen whose fiber direction is ±45°to the tensile direction.  We handle method B (rail method) in CFRP as well.

Double V-notch shear method

“±45°tensile method” can test laminated material only whose fiber direction is +45°or -45°(orthotropic material). On the other hand, “double V-notch shear method” can provide in-plane shear test with laminated material such as unidirectional and quasi-isotropic.

Poisson ratio – tensile mode (two-element rectangular rosette strain gage) – compression mode

Tensile mode is aimed for rigid plastic.  A two-element rectangular rosette strain gage is put on the center of parallel part of a specimen, and the strain is measured by tensile mode. We examine the Poisson ratio from the transversal strain/ longitudinal stain (JIS K 7161, ASTM D 638). Furthermore, compression mode is also aimed for rigid plastic. We put a two-element rectangular rosette strain gage on the center of strip specimen, fix it with K-shaped jig, and measure the Poisson ratio on compression direction.

Poisson ratio – two-axis video extensometer

A non-contact video extensometer can measure the Poisson ratio of the materials on which are not be able to be put the strain gage (such as rubbers, films and elastomer).

Tearing strength test – trouser tear method – right-angle tear method

This is a method to measure tearing strength by using a tension tester and tearing a specimen vertically.  There are 2 ways depending on the form of the specimen. ①Trouser-shaped specimen (specimen which has a 75mm slit on 150 ×50mm the longitudinal direction, JIS K 7128-1)/ dealing with films and sheets whose thicknesses are 1mm or less ②Right-angle specimen (angle specimen which has a 90°slit in the center, JIS K 7128-3，JIS K 6252)

Tearing – Elmendorf

This is a method to tear a specimen by making a cut in the center of it and unlocking a fan-shaped pendulum. This can measure 32N or less tearing strength.  We can examine the specimen whose tearing strength is extremely low by adding films (up to 16 sheets can be stacked/ JIS K 7128-2，JIS P 8116).

Piercing strength

We examine the maximum load until aφ1.0mm（r=0.5mm）needle penetrates a film or a sheet (JIS Z 1707 and all).

Tensile and compressive hysteresis

We measure hysteresis loss of plastics, elastomer, and rubbers using a universal material testing machine.  We also set the hysteresis repeatedly.

Shock strength –Izod  –Charpy

These are some types of pendulum shock tests.  In Izod method, we fix one side of a specimen. Usually, a pendulum is struck from the direction of the notch.  Then we calculate the energy which the pendulum absorbs when it breaks and evaluate the toughness of the material of the specimen. In Charpy method, we fix the both side of a specimen and a pendulum is struck form the back side of the notch.  Then we calculate the energy which the pendulum absorbs when it breaks and evaluate the toughness of the material.

Shock strength  –tensile impact

This is some type of pendulum shock tests.  This can be applied to the cases when we cannot evaluate Izod and Charpy shock tests because of the material characteristics and molded forms (films, sheets and all).  We can comprehend the typical shock behaviors of the material by testing it in a variety of molding conditions, forms of the specimen and temperature.

Shock strength  –DuPont impact  –falling ball impact

DuPont impact is some type of shock tests by falling weight and a test method to measure the strength of coated film based on JIS K 5600-5-3.  The specimen is fixed between the striker and the bearer, and the weight falls from the specified height.  We observe the minimum mass and height to destroy the specimen in this test. Falling ball impact is also some type of shock tests by falling weight.  This is a method to fall the specified weight on the fixed specimen by a frame.  We calculate 50% breaking energy and 50% breaking height.  The current standard is JIS K 7211-1non-instrumented puncture test.

Indentation hardness (hardness) – Rockwell

This is the acquired value of hardness by applying the fixed reference load on a specimen through steel ball, then applying the test load, and applying the fixed reference load again.

Indentation hardness (hardness) – International Rubber Hardness (IRHD)

International Rubber Hardness covers rubbers and elastomer and it is calculated by the gap of the indentation depth between a contact force and the total pushing force (JIS K 6253-2).

Indentation hardness (hardness)  –barcol

This is a test to measure the maximum value when a conical needle is compressed to hardened materials of thermohardening resin and to a specimen of glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP).

Scratch hardness (hardness)  –pencil scratch hardness

This is we known as a measuring method of the surface hardness of coated films.  We evaluate the presence of scratch after compressing a 6B to 6H pencil with load of 750g at a 45° angle to the surface, and moving it over a specified distance (JIS K 5600-5-4 and all).

Peel strength  -90° and 180° peel strength  –T-peel strength

We have some measuring methods on 90° and 180° peel strength based on JIS K 6854-1 and 6854-2, such as adhesive peel tests, copper foil peel of copper-clad laminate, peel adhesion tests of adhesives. T-peel strength is an adhesive peel test or a heat seal test based on JIS K 6854-3. It is used for the evaluation of flexible materials/ adhesion of flexible materials.

Shear bond strength  –tensile shear bond strength  –compressive shear bond strength

The tensile shear bond strength is the most simple and popular evaluation for adhesives based on JIS K 6850. It is called single lap shear test using rigid materials/ rigid material bonded specimen. The compressive shear bond strength is used for the shear adhesion evaluation with a glass plate or wood which are difficult to evaluate in the tensile shear bond.

Fold strength  –MIT test

The MIT test based on JIS P 8115 is a test to evaluate durableness of thin materials such as films and paper to flexing.  In the MIT test based on JIS C 6471, we measure the fold count until the copper foil of the line on the flexible printed circuit (FPC) comes down.

Bending fracture toughness measurement

Bending fracture toughness of plastic: ASTM D5045, span: 48 mm (beginning), form of specimen: 60×12×t6 mm (with notch). We analyze the result of a fracture toughness test (displacement and load of main tests and blank tests) and the crack length on fracture surface, and calculate fracture toughness value.

Compression set measurement of rubbers and elastomer

The compression set test is a test to measure the compression set and calculate the weakness when a vulcanized rubber and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is compressed at a specified rate and released after specified time (JIS K 6262, ASTM D395, ISO 815).
Optical characteristic

Index of refraction – index of refraction (measurement using Abbe’s refractometer) – index of refraction (Becke line method) – Abbe number

We measure the index of refraction of molded objects, sheets, films and liquid using Abbe’s refractometer. The index of refraction is the trigonometric ratio (sin α/sin β) of the angle of incidence α and the angle of refraction β when light enters a substance from the air, and it changes by wavelength of light and temperature. In Becke line method, we use Becke line phenomenon and measure the index of refraction of pulverulent body and grained materials with a microscope. The Abbe number determines the wavelength dispersion of the light of materials.  When the wavelength of dispersion is small, the Abbe number gets big. If the dispersibility is low, the Abbe number will be large, and the larger the Abbe number, the less the material will blur when viewed through light. DJK calculates the Abbe number from the index of refraction on D line (589nm) and the value of dispersion by achromatic doublet.

Transmittivity  –haze, light transmittance

We measure the light transmittance (all rays, diffuse rays, parallel rays) and the haze of flat and clear plates and films (JIS K 7105, JIS K 7136, JIS K 7361-1)

Transmittivity  –UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis)

We examine the spectral transmittance of film or sheet shape sample in visible light ~ ultraviolet (around 800nm ~200nm) using a UV visible spectrophotometer.

Color difference, degree of yellowing, degree of yellowness

On high polymeric materials, the change in appearance of molded pieces and specimens after long-term degradation tests is one of the most important evaluation items. We use a color-difference meter to evaluate a slight change which we cannot examine by visual observations.

Degree of brilliance

On high polymeric materials, the change in appearance of molded pieces and specimens after long-term degradation tests is one of the most important evaluation items. We use a gloss meter to evaluate a slight change which we cannot examine by visual observations.

Comparison of surface color, grey scale for assessing change in color

We compare the color using the artificial light source (JIS Z 8723), and assess the change in color using a grey scale (JIS L 0804).

Fogging test (ISO 6452, DIN 75201, SAE J1756)

We condense volatile components onto a glass plate, measure and evaluate the haze, the specular gross (degree of reflection) and the mass of deposits.
Electric character

Ohmic value  –volume resistivity and surface resistivity of insulating material (solid)  –volume resistivity of insulating material (liquid)

We measure the volume resistivity and the surface resistivity of insulating materials (solids and liquid).  We form a double-ring electrode and a counter electrode on a specimen, then measure the ohmic value by three-terminal method, and calculate the volume resistivity and the surface resistivity.  The measurable range is 1×10^9Ω・cm~1×10^19Ω・cm.

Ohmic value  –four-terminal method resistivity (semiconductor ~ conductor)  –four-point probe method resistivity (semiconductor ~ conductor)

The four-terminal method is to measure the resistivity by 4 terminals of the voltage electrode and the current electrode, and to calculate the volume resistivity from the cross-sectional area of the specimen and the length. The four-point probe method involves placing four needle shaped electrode in a straight line on a specimen and applying a constant current to the outer probes. Then we measure the difference of electrical potential which occurs in the inter probes and calculate the resistance. We calculate the surface resistivity by multiplying the resistance by the compensating rate and further calculate the volume resistivity by multiplying it by the specimen thickness.

Dielectric constant and dielectric dissipation factor  –low-frequency region (auto-balancing bridge method)  –high-frequency region (cavity perturbation method)

We examine the dielectric constant and the dielectric dissipation factor of insulating materials.  In the measurement in low-frequency region, we use an auto-balancing bridge (parallel plate capacitor method) based on JIS C 2138, and measure them with LCR meter.  The measurable frequency is 20Hz ~ 2MHz. Furthermore, we can use transformer bridge method that we form a double-ring electrode and a counter electrode on a specimen, measure the capacitance and the conductance by turning the dial, and calculate the dielectric constant and the dielectric dissipation factor. The measurable frequency is 60 ~ 1MHz. The high-frequency region (microwave) is measured by cavity perturbation method (ASTM D2520 as reference).  We can assess plates as well as films.

Dielectric strength

We categorize the test methods into 3, which are short time method, 20-second step method, 1 minutes withstand voltage test. The operating temperature range is 23℃ ~ 200℃ in silicone oil.

Arc resistance

We deal with ASTM D495, JIS K 6911, JIS C 2135.  We measure the time until the arc is extinguished after we apply the arc discharge on the surface of a specimen at defined steps.

Tracking resistance (JIS C 2134, IEC 60112, ASTM D3638 and all)

We test whether there is a tracking phenomenon when we drop the electrolysis solution between the specimen electrodes while the current is flowing.  CTI is the test that determines the maximum voltage at which all n=5 test specimens do not break down with 50 drops (100 drops). PTI is an admission decision at a specified voltage.

Electrostatic properties

Half-life – half-life measurement by static honest meter based on JIS L 1094 This is an evaluation test of anti-static performance of corona discharge method focusing on fabrics and textiles. This is also applied to antistatic treated films and insulating materials.

Chargeability  –chargeability test by static decay meter

This is an evaluation test of anti-static performance of direct application method based on the US federal examination standards.  The main targets are high polymeric materials and films.
Combustion quality

UL94 combustion test

This is a combustion test of plastic materials based on UL standards.  There are 5 types of test methods according to the objects and test methods (flame contact methods and strength of flame). ①plastic materials: V, 5V (vertical flame) and HB (horizontal flame), ②films: VTM (vertical flame), ③foam: HBF (horizontal flame)

Needle frame

This is a combustion test by 12mm needle burner flame targeting at plastic products.

FMVSS No.302 combustion test

This is a combustion test which applied to the automotive interior materials based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. ※We also conduct certification exams of ISO/IEC 17025.

Glow wire  –combustion test (GWFI)  –ignition test (GWIT)

We evaluate the heat resistance by pressing a hear source against electric instruments, their subassembly and parts, solid insulating materials and solid combustible materials. IEC 60695-2-10 ~ 13.

Flash ignition temperature and spontaneous ignition temperature

We measure the flash ignition temperature and the spontaneous ignition temperature of plastics by high temperature air furnace of JIS K 7193.

Oxygen index

We examine the minimum oxygen concentration to keep the vertical small test specimen burning in the mixed gas of nitrogen and oxygen.

Class 2 hazardous material test under ire service act -small flame ignition test

This is an ignition test of specimens which include item 1~8 in Class 2 on appended table 1 under fire service act, among Class 2 combustible solids restricted by fire service act.

MCC (ASTM D7309, UL 746A-48A)

MCC (Microscale Combustion Calorimeter) was developed by Richard E. Lyon from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it is thermal analysis technology to identify the burning characteristics of combustible materials as typified by plastics.

Tag closed cup flash point measurement

JIS K 2265-1 designates this as a method to examine the burning point of petroleum products and the related products whose burning point is below 93℃.  The hazardous materials judgement under fire service act requires to do this test on the class 4 (flammable liquid).

Setaflash closed cup method

JIS K 2265-2 designates this as a method to examine petroleum oil, coating materials (including water-based coatings), varnish, paint binder, adhesives, fluxing materials, fatty acid methyl ester and the related products whose burning point is at -30℃ ~300 ℃.  The hazardous materials judgement under fire service act requires to do tests with setaflash closed cup apparatus on the class 2 (combustible materials) and on the class 4 (flammable liquid).

Cleveland open-cup method

JIS K 2265-4 designates this as a method to examine the burning point of petroleum products whose burning point is over 79℃.  The hazardous materials judgement under fire service act requires to do this test on the class 4 (flammable liquid).

Bomb calorimeter (calorimetric measurement)

A bomb calorimeter is used for calorimetric measurements in a wide range of industrial fields such as electrical power generation, energy, food product. Moreover, we are entrusted with confirmation tests of the amount of heat generation on the flow chart for class 2 of the hazardous materials judgement under fire service act.

Cone calorimeter test

We analyze the heat release rate and the amount of heat generation based on oxygen consumption method that when a material burns, a heat release is 13.1MJ of per 1kg of oxygen consumed regardless of the material.
Hazardous material characteristics

Compression molding conditions

We consider compression molding conditions targeting at thermohardening resin and thermoplastic resin.  In particular, we consider developing conditions for plates, sheets and laminates using hot press and vacuum press.

hazardous materials judgement (Class 2 combustible materials)

We perform a variety of examinations based on “the flowchart for classifying Class 2 and designated combustible materials” established by Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

hazardous materials judgement (class 4 flammable liquid)

We perform a variety of examinations based on “the flowchart for classifying Class 4 and designated combustible materials” established by Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Class 4 flammable liquid  –liquid confirmation test

The purpose of this test is to judge if the material, which is listed in Class 4 of the hazardous materials, is liquid or not at certain temperature.

Class 4 flammable liquid  –kinematic viscosity measurement

We measure the kinematic viscosity at the burning point (℃) of the material listed in Class 4 of the hazardous materials.
Friction and wear characteristics

Static and dynamic friction coefficient

We measure the static and dynamic friction coefficient using a tensile testing machine. A sliding piece (films, sheets, plates) is placed on the other fixed specimen (films, sheets), and we examine the friction coefficient when starting and sliding.

Sliding wear

This is a test to assess tribology and sliding properties between the fixed specimen and the rotating specimen at optional speed and load using Thrust washer friction tester (Suzuki method, Matsubara method friction and wear testing machine).

Taber abrasion

This is the evaluation of abrasion resistance using Taber abrader.  A specified wear wheel is rolled over on the specimen surface at a constant speed.

Taber scratch test

We rotate the turntable (test specimen), and rip the specimen applying a constant load with a cutting edge.  We observe and evaluate the scar on the coated film and on the specimen surface.

Rubbing fastness test

A specimen is rubbed back and forth with a friction cloth by a friction tester.  We examine the coloring of the friction cloth and the condition of the specimen.

Friction and wear test (TriboGear)

We measure the friction coefficient and observe the condition of the specimen after it is rubbed or has worn by friction and wear testing machine (TriboGear).
Transmittivity

Gas permeation rate  –differential pressure type and gas chromatography

This is based on the gas chromatography in Annex 2, JIS K 7126-1 differential pressure method. The specimen film (sample) separates two chambers, one side with test gas flowing at atmospheric pressure, and the other permeate side depressurized.  We qualify and quantify the permeated gas by gas chromatograph (we can also apply pressure).

Gas permeation rate  -differential pressure type and pressure sensor method

This is based on the pressure sensor method in Annex 1, JIS K 7126-1 differential pressure method. The specimen film (sample) separates two chambers, one side with test gas flowing at atmospheric pressure, and the other permeate side depressurized.  We calculate the amount of the permeated gas from the pressure change in the other chamber.

Fuel permeability – differential pressure type and gas chromatography

We measure the permeability of fuel using apparatus for gas permeability (gas chromatograph) mentioned above.  When we examine blended fuel, we can identify the type of the permeated fuel.

Fuel permeability  –cup method

We apply the measurement of moisture permeability (cup method) to the one of the fuel permeability, and measure the permeability by enclosing the fuel in the cup.

Moisture permeability – differential pressure type and gas chromatography (mechanical measurement)

This is based on gas chromatography in Annex C, JIS K 7129 differential pressure method. The specimen film (sample) separates two chambers, one side with moisture vapor, and the other permeate side depressurized.  We qualify and quantify the permeated steam gas by gas chromatograph.

Moisture permeability  –cup method

The moisture permeability (g/m2･24h) is measured by placing a cup containing calcium chloride at a constant temperature and humidity (40℃, 90%RH or 25℃, 90%RH), covering the cup with a specimen film, and measuring the mass increase at regular intervals.