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Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS
Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP
SPIEZ LABORATORY
1/12
November 2017
Accredited Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber
Overview of Services
Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP
SPIEZ LABORATORY, CH-3700 Spiez
Tel. +41 58 468 14 00, Fax +41 58 468 14 02
laborspiez@babs.admin.ch
http://www.labor-spiez.ch
Persons of Contact:
Thomas Friedrich Regula Gosteli Manuela Merz
thomas.friedrich@babs.admin.ch regula.gosteli@babs.admin.ch manuela.merz@babs.admin.ch
Tel. +41 58 468 18 20 Tel. +41 58 468 16 31 Tel. +41 58 484 26 28
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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Table of Contents
1. Fields of Activity .............................................................................................................. 3
2. Test Methods on Offer ..................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Preparation of Test Samples ........................................................................................... 4
2.2. Mechanical-Physical Testing ........................................................................................... 5
2.3. Chemical-Analytical Testing ............................................................................................ 6
2.4. Investigation of Ageing Behaviour/Resistance to Environmental Conditions ................... 7
2.5. Resistance to Chemicals ................................................................................................. 7
2.6. Verification of Processing Quality .................................................................................... 8
2.7. Flammability Tests .......................................................................................................... 9
2.8. Colorimetry ................................................................................................................... 10
2.9. Resistance to Chemical Warfare Agents ....................................................................... 11
3. Scope of Accreditation .................................................................................................. 12
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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1. Fields of Activity
The Materials Testing Group of SPIEZ LABORATORY conducts an Accredited Testing Labora-
tory (STS 0036) according to ISO 17025. It is a dedicated laboratory for testing of polymer mate-
rials such as thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosets and elastomers. As a special
field the laboratory offers testing of plastics, elastomers and textiles for resistance to chemical
warfare agents.
The main task of the Testing Laboratory STS 0036 is the provision of services in the field of
polymer materials to internal and external customers as follows:
Consulting services regarding application of materials
Investigation of damage cases
Quality assurance
Our most important goal is to provide conclusive and practice-oriented answers in due time to
the customers questions concerning polymer materials. This is achieved by the qualified and
experienced staff on one hand and by the available wide-ranging test equipment on the other
hand. Our work is regularly observed by the Swiss Accreditation Service SAS including experts
of the relevant industry. This provides a high degree of confidence in our test results.
The scope of testing services can be subdivided into the following areas:
Production of standard test specimens
Mechanical-physical testing
Chemical-analytical testing
Determination of the ageing behaviour/simulation of environmental influences
Investigation of the resistance to various substances and chemicals
Testing for optimal processing quality
Tests for flammability
Colour measurements
Testing for resistance to chemical warfare agents
We are contracted by external customers of various industries such as general mechanical en-
gineering, medical, electrical, solar, appliances as well as producers and processors of the plas-
tics industry within Switzerland and in foreign countries.
Contracts from internal customers comprise testing during evaluation and procurement of
equipment by the armasuisse, type testing of equipment for protection shelters for the Federal
Department for Civil Protection (FOCP) or testing for other Federal Departments.
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2. Test Methods on Offer
2.1. Preparation of Test Samples
The materials to be tested are usually delivered by our customers in various shapes such as
complete form parts, semi-finished products and raw materials. From these items we prepare
standard test specimens using appropriate machines and tools.
Form parts and semi-finished products made of soft thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastom-
ers and elastomers can be cut into plates/sheets/stripes down to a thickness of 0.5 mm with
a special cleaving machine.
A comprehensive set of die-cutting tools allows a simple and quick preparation of various
standard test specimens such as dumb bells, stripes, rings and discs.
Fig. 1: Die-cutting Tools for Preparation of Standard Test Specimens
Our well equipped work shop with precise milling machines and lathes allows machining
tasks such as notching of impact test samples.
In cooperation with the “Kunststoff Interlaken AG” company
we can offer the production of standard tensile test speci-
mens and plates 2 x 150 x 150 mm by injection moulding.
Fig. 2: Injection Moulding of Tensile Test Specimens
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.2. Mechanical-Physical Testing
Test Equipment Test Parameter
Universal Testing Machines Tensile, compression and bending tests up to 20 kN
Test speeds up to 1000 mm/min
Temperature range from - 80 to 150 °C
Elongation/strain up to 1500 mm
Impact Testing Machines Notched and un-notched impact bending tests
Charpy-Pendulums: 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 7.5, 15, 25 and 50 J
Izod-Pendulums: 1, 2.75 and 5.5 J
Hardness Shore A, Shore D, IRHD, ball indention hardness
Elmendorf Tear Resistance Forces up to 64’000 mN
Abrasion Resistance Rotating drum
Rebound Resilience Basic dynamic testing of elastomers (elasticity, damping)
Fig. 4: Impact Pendulum
Fig. 3: Tensile Testing Machine
Fig. 5: Abrasion Resistance (Drum) Fig. 6: Tear Resistance Pendulum
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.3. Chemical-Analytical Testing
Thermal analyses are powerful test methods providing
significant information for the characterization of polymer
materials. Differential Scanning Calorimetry DSC reveals
glass transition temperatures as well as peak tempera-
tures and enthalpy of melting and crystallization process-
es. The effectiveness of stabilizers against thermal in-
duced oxidation can be investigated by measurement of
the Oxidation Induction Time and Temperature OIT.
Fig. 7: Thermal Analysis DSC
Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA is
used to determine the composition of
elastomer compounds as well as the
rubber type the compound is based
on. The example in Fig. 8 shows that
the analyzed elastomer compound is
based on EPDM containing 4 % plas-
ticizers, 50 % rubber, 40 % carbon
black and 6 % inorganic residuals.
Fig. 8: Compositional Analysis of Elastomer Compound by TGA
Fourier-Transformation-Infrared-Spectroscopy FTIR allows the identification of unknown ma-
terials within short time by comparison of the response spectra with those from a compre-
hensive library of known materials. By means of an FTIR-Microscope small areas can be
scanned and identified such as inclusions in form parts.
Fig. 9: Infrared Spectroscope FTIR
with Microscope
PW-2014-0017 GG Muster 1
3800 3600 3400 3200 3000 2800 2600 2400 2200 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Wavenumber
Absorb
ance
----- Spectrum of Sample Material
----- Spectrum of Library
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.4. Investigation of Ageing Behaviour/Resistance to Environmental Conditions
To simulate and accelerate the effect of long term thermo-oxidative and physical degradation
material samples are stored at elevated temperatures.
In the weathering test chamber material samples are exposed to UV radiation for simula-
tion/acceleration of the photo-oxidative degradation. For outdoor applications the samples
are additionally exposed to cyclic rain.
Relevant material properties of samples in new condition are compared with those of sam-
ples which have been artificially aged. With this approach the service life time can be pre-
dicted i.e. an assessment of the resistance to environmental conditions can be made.
Fig. 10: Weathering Test Chamber Fig. 11: Ozone Test Chamber
Climatic chambers are used for alternating climate tests in order to verify the adhesion of
coatings and paintings.
An ozone test chamber is used to verify the long term stability of elastomers. Material speci-
mens in pre-deformed state are subjected to an environment with elevated ozone concentra-
tions. Afterwards the test specimens are visually inspected for cracks.
2.5. Resistance to Chemicals
For testing of the resistance against lubri-
cants, cleaning agents, various chemicals
etc. material samples are immersed in the
relevant substances for a specified period
of time, if necessary also at elevated
temperatures. Measurement of significant
material properties before and after expo-
sure allows the assessment if a material
is suitable for the application in mind.
Fig. 12: Degradation due to Exposure to Chemicals
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.6. Verification of Processing Quality
During production of form parts and semi-finished products from thermoplastic polymers it
has to be ensured that the processing quality is optimal, i.e. that the polymer did not experi-
ence degradation due to shear stress and heat and during injection moulding. Determination
of the molecular weight is preferably done by measurement of the melt flow rates MFR and
MVR or by dilute solution viscosity.
Fig. 13: Melt Flow Measurement MFR
Elastomers must be well cross-linked in order to fulfill the designated function under operational conditions for an extended period of time. The degree of cross-linking is verified by measurement of the compression set.
Fig. 14: Compression Set Measurement Devices
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.7. Flammability Tests
Requirements regarding flammability of materials have to be fulfilled in a wide range of appli-cations. Our laboratory offers flammability tests according to UL 94 as well as DIN 75200.
Classification UL 94 Application
HB, HB-40, HB-75 Determination of linear horizontal burning rate
V-0, V-1, V-2 self-extinguishing materials, vertical burning test
VTM-0, VTM-1, VTM-2 in analogy to V-0, V-1, V-2 for thin materials (t 0.025 mm)
5VA, 5VB non-burning and self-extinguishing materials
HBF, HF-1 und HF-2 foams for non-structural applications, horizontal burning test
Fig. 15: Vertical Flammability Test UL 94 V-2
Tests according to DIN 75200 are performed to determine horizontal burning rates of interior
materials in motor vehicles.
Fig. 16: Sample Dimensions and Test Chamber for Flammability Tests DIN 75200
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.8. Colorimetry
Our laboratory offers measurements of CIE color coordinates L*, a* und b* using the 45/0
measurement geometry. Of major interest are color differences i.e. fading of colors due to
artificial weathering under UV radiation. Colour differences are characterized by the parame-
ters ΔE*, ΔL*, Δa* und Δb*.
Fig. 17: CIE L*a*b*-System
Fig. 18: Color Measurement Device
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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2.9. Resistance to Chemical Warfare Agents
Materials used for NBC protection equipment such as suits, masks, gloves, boots etc. are
tested for resistance to penetration of chemical warfare agents by means of a fully automatic
testing machine. Breakthrough of the warfare agent is detected either by means of change in
electrical conductivity of water or by discoloration of an indicator paper.
Fig. 19: Machine for Testing of Resistance to Chemical Warfare Agents
Fig. 20: Laid Drops of C-Warfare Agent, 4 x 4 l
Testing Laboratory for Polymers and Rubber STS 0036
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3. Scope of Accreditation
The list of the accredited test methods can be found by entering the term STS 0036 in the
search mask of the Swiss Accreditation Service under the following link:
https://www.sas.admin.ch/sas/de/home/akkreditiertestellen/akkrstellensuchesas.html
Fig. 21: Accreditation Certificate
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