McClarin Composites mechanical testing and molecular testing presents valuable information on materials that can effectively remove trial and error (within parameter) from our research development efforts.
From an experimental standpoint, mechanical testing also allows us to effectively bring to market new products, as well as ensure a certain level of product performance and consistency as desired by our customers. McClarin Composites laboratory testing capabilities provide the opportunity to create a more comprehensive material property database, thus enabling us to analyze the behavior and character of a material scientifically. The goal of our laboratory testing of plastic materials is to determine what’s best for the customer in a specific application.
The material testing done at McClarin Composites is made up of multiple tests (see below) that comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) which is the foremost testing standards organization. ASTM provides companies like McClarin Composites a universal standard of goals when testing a material.
| Test | Type | What is tested | Why it’s important |
| Flexural Test | Mechanical Testing | The ability of a material to withstand the bending force when applied at a 90° angle | Determines the overall strength of a material upon impact |
| Tensile Test | Mechanical Testing | The ability of a material to withstand forces that tend to pull apart | Determines the strength of a material during stretching |
| Impact Test | Mechanical Testing | The ability of the material to withstand impact | Determines impact data for collision |
| Compression Testing | Mechanical Testing | The ability of a material to withstand crushing forces | Determines how the material’s properties behave as it is squeezed |
| Flow Analysis | Molecular Testing | The ability to identify how thermoplastic molecules move in a molten state | Determines how a material’s molecular make-up reacts when traveling from solid to molten back to solid form. |
Flexural Testing:
Along with tensile testing flexural testing is one of the most common specifications to use when qualifying a material for your application. Flexural testing can not only provide you with flexural strength, but also can provide you with the flexural modulus. These values can enable you to choose a material that will support and not bend under load. These values can also give you an idea of the stiffness of the material.
Tensile Testing:
Tensile testing is probably the most common specification used for design in plastics today. Tensile testing can give you the ability to know how much force the material can withstand when it is pulled. This test can report:
- Modulus of Elasticity- This gives you an idea of how tough the material is
- Elongation- How much a material will stretch and deform with the forces present
- Tensile strength
- Ultimate- The highest force that a material can withstand while being pulled
- Yield- The force at which a material gives way to pulling forces and permanently deforms.
- Break- The force at which a material can stretch no farther and breaks
Impact Testing:
Impact testing can tell you how a material will behave when impacted with a concentrated load instantaneously. This test can determine if a material is notch sensitive, meaning does it take more force for the material to break intact vs. when the material has a nick in it. This information can all help when designing parts to avoid stress concentration points and determine suitability for application.
Compression Testing:
This test determines a materials ability to withstand crushing forces. This information can be vitally important to part design.
Flow Analysis:
Flow analysis can provide many important characteristics of a thermoplastic material by accurately analyzing how the material melts, moves in the melt, and the re solidifies. Melt analysis can help to provide an idea of melt strength in thermoplastic materials. This information is also an easily traceable standard to ensure that the material we are receiving from our suppliers is of the published quality. This material can provide an invaluable amount of data on the molecular makeup of our thermoplastic materials.
Depending on the client’s application, we may use one or combinations of all to reach a sound conclusion regarding a material’s strength, and provide a solid recommendation based on actual data.
McClarin Composites believes it is important that guidelines sent to us from a material’s supplier are verified. This service gives you, our customer, an increased level of confidence that the materials selected for your product application will produce consistent results today as well as many years from now.
At McClarin Composites, we’re thorough and particular about our product offerings. Our testing laboratories present great quality control measures as well as verification of material consistency. We believe this service to you is our way of enhancing quality, performance and our relationship with you, our customer.