Rubber Testing 101 – Rubber Testing Methods and Technology

Rubber Testing 101

When you first start investigating rubber testing and rubber testing laboratories, the information about testing and equipment can feel a bit overwhelming. Between all the types of testing and their individual benefits and drawbacks, it can be a lot to take in. 

At its core, however, rubber testing is simple: observe and analyze rubber and other polymer materials to understand their properties and performance. What you do with that information is up to you – rubber testing is useful for developing new products, quality control, and meeting product performance goals. 

Whether you are interested in partnering with a lab for rubber testing, or simply looking to further your understanding of rubber testing materials, read on for an introduction on all things rubber testing. 

Then, when it’s time to put theory into practice, reach out to the rubber experts at ACE to learn more about our custom rubber testing services. If you have a rubber challenge or are dreaming of a newer, higher-performing product, we’ll partner with you to make sure your polymer material rises to the occasion. 

Learn more about Rubber Testing with ACE

What is rubber testing? 

Rubber manufacturers and other industry professionals rely on rubber testing to ensure the safety and satisfaction of their products’ end users. Rubber testing involves running a material sample through a series of tests designed to observe and analyze its properties and performance under certain conditions. 

For example, rubber tubing must be tested for its durability against both the liquid within it and its ambient conditions. The tubing may need to be resilient against strain, or able to withstand high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. 

Rubber testing laboratory technicians, like the experts at ACE Laboratories, use their specialized knowledge of the rubber industry to create a course of testing unique to each product’s performance needs and expectations. Rubber testing is used for research and development, quality control, and product development. 

Rubber Testing Services

Rubber tests can be categorized into physical and analytical testing. Physical testing observes the physical properties of a sample material, while analytical testing is concerned with the material’s chemical makeup and structure of a material. Both methods work together to provide a whole picture of a rubber or elastomer material.

ACE offers rubber testing services for materials used across a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, tire, construction and more. Our experienced technicians have over 200 years of combined experience, and our laboratory utilizes only state-of-the-art equipment to ensure you receive nothing but accurate, repeatable results you can trust. 

Ready to learn more about the ins and outs of rubber testing? Check out our blog post to learn the basics on rubber testing methods. 

The Ins and Outs of Rubber Testing

What is a rubber and elastomer testing lab?

Rubber testing laboratories are facilities dedicated to scientific research, experiments, and observation of rubber and polymer materials in a controlled environment. Rubber testing labs are trusted with testing a variety of materials, from rubber for tires to silicone adhesives. 

Rubber testing labs offer a wide range of services for rubber materials across industries. A credible lab will work with you to identify the most important testing for your material. In the end, rubber testing is successful if it helps you meet your product goals, meet industry requirements or quality standards, or create innovative new rubber products. 

When looking to partner with a rubber or elastomer testing lab, it’s important to find a lab you can trust. ACE’s rubber testing laboratory is ISO/IEC accredited. This means our staff regularly performs equipment calibrations and procedure validations to ensure your results are reliable, accurate, repeatable, and credible. ACE must continue to meet high ISO/IEC standards to maintain accreditation, so we don’t rest on our prior accomplishments. 

For more information on just what happens within a rubber testing laboratory, visit our blog. 

What is a Rubber Testing Laboratory?

High-Quality Rubber Testing Instruments

High quality equipment can make or break the accuracy of rubber testing results. Accurate results are crucial for any application, whether you’re seeking to develop a new product, or make sure an existing one is up to code. 

That’s why it’s important to know that a lab uses test methods and testing equipment of the highest quality. When you can trust your lab results, you–and your customers–can trust your rubber. 

So, how can you tell if a lab is trustworthy? Make sure they are accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board). Accredited labs must consistently meet their standards–including high quality rubber testing equipment. 

At ACE, we consistently turn to high quality tests to provide solutions to rubber challenges. Our favorite rubber testing instruments and tests include our rubber process analyzer (RPA), mold flow analysis, UL94 flame testing ozone, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).

More commonly-used tests include the following:

• Physical Tests
  • Heat Aging
  • Abrasion Testing
  • Tension Testing
  • Electrical Testing
• Analytical Tests
  • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
  • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
  • Wet Chemistry

The best rubber test for you will vary depending on the material and your goals. The experts at ACE create custom testing plans with this in mind, so the data and analysis you receive is tailored to your needs. 

To read more about our favorite rubber tests, as well as the importance of well-maintained, high-quality testing equipment, visit our blog post:

Quality Rubber Testing Equipment & Methods

Rubber Testing You Can Trust with ACE Laboratories

Rubber testing is a crucial part of maintaining a high quality rubber or polymer product. It facilitates innovation and supports informed decision making. 

ACE Laboratories is here to help with all of your rubber testing needs. Whether testing is driven by ASTM D2000 callouts, Mil A-A specification, Mil-DTL specification, SAE AMS specification, or simply technical service and application development, ACE possesses the tools and knowledge to support.

We are happy to discuss your challenges and ideas to determine the best steps for you and your rubber material. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.