Element’s scientists provide comprehensive, customized polymer and plastic testing services to meet clients’ needs, as well as in-depth expert analysis of lab test results to help identify contaminants, develop and validate methods, compare materials, and provide support in litigation. Our proprietary analysis techniques and methods, performed by expert scientists, provide a complete understanding of the polymer or plastic in question and its chemical, mechanical, thermal, and elemental properties.

Polymer Characterization and Testing Laboratory

Element plastic testing labs use deformulation techniques to create a complete profile of the major and minor components of a material, including polymer resins, inorganic fillers, stabilizers, colorants, additives, impact modifiers, and more. We work with clients to meet their specific testing needs and tailor our process to produce clear results relevant to their concerns. Our analysis methods include:

  • FTIR Spectroscopy
  • NMR Spectroscopy
  • Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
  • Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
  • Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
  • FID/TCD/ECD
  • Mass Spectrometry (including Pyrolysis)
  • Optical Microscopy
  • Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)
  • Pyrolysis (MSD)

From routine inquiries to the most unusual or complex problems, Element’s team of experts is ready to deliver results. Contact us today to start your project. 

Deformulation & Competitive Product Analysis

Element’s deformulation services break down a compound into its major and minor components and analyze them to determine precisely what the compound contains and how the parts are combined to create the final product. This can be used to research and compare competitor products to your own, replicate formulations (including manufacturing instructions), compare different batches of the same product to identify inconsistencies, determine if a product is in violation of an existing patent or support litigation related to product failure.

Rubber Testing & Analysis Laboratory

Whether clients are in the process of developing a new product or evaluating an existing one, Element’s scientists provide the analytical and testing services necessary to produce a superior product. Using state-of-the-art equipment and analytical techniques, our labs can identify and quantify the components of a sample and reverse engineer its formula and manufacturing process comprehensively. Rely on Element for quality control, product development, competitor product analysis, failure testing, and more.

While many labs can identify the primary components of a sample, Element labs use advanced technology to pinpoint even the most minor inclusions and their quantities. Moreover, Element provides detailed reports and expert interpretation of the findings, allowing our clients to understand the information fully, make informed decisions, and effectively problem-solve. Our abilities go beyond reporting to provide scientific research and consultancy services for those who need it.

For more information about our rubber, plastics and polymer testing services, or to request a quote, contact us today.

Deformulation & Reverse Engineering of Polymers

  • Polymer Chemical Composition Analysis, Material Analysis, Quantitation & Identification
  • Identification of Suspect Materials
  • Identification of Polymer Components
  • Polymer Mixtures Identification
  • Additives Analysis for Polymers & Plastics

Analytical Testing for Polymers

  • Good vs. Bad Lot Investigations
  • Polymer Method Development & Validation
  • Non-Routine Testing of Polymers
  • Polymer Particle Analysis & Testing
  • Polymer Coatings Comparability Testing
  • Polymer Surface Analysis Testing
  • Weathering & Aging Testing for Polymers

Polymer Formulation Development Laboratory

Chemical Analysis of Polymers

  • Chemical Resistance Testing
  • Molecular Weight Distribution
  • Chemical Bonds, Molecular Structure, & Composition (Including Crosslink Density)
  • Total Molecular Weight
  • End Group Analysis
  • Co-Polymer Backbone Chemistry, Comonomer Contents/Ratios, Polymer Blends
  • Additive & Resin Identification
  • Plastic Testing for Tensile Strength, Modulus Compression, and Elongation
  • Chemical Family, Including Base Polymer Characterization

Polymer Safety Testing

  • Bisphenol-A (BPA) Detection
  • Plasticizers Including Phthalates

Polymer Failure Analysis Investigations

  • Contaminant or Impurity Identification
  • Off-Color & Off-Odor Problems
  • Facility Leaks (Broken PCV or ABS Water Lines, drains, etc.)

Extractables & Leachables Testing

  • Plastics Migration Testing & Food Contact Services
  • Packaging Testing
  • Caulk, Sealant, Elastomer Interactions in Clean Rooms and Medical Facilities

Polymer Medical Support Services

Polymers & Plastics Physical Testing

  • Material Hardness
  • Tensile Properties (Strength)
  • Yield Strength, Adhesive Strength
  • Ductility, Compressibility
  • Cross-Sectional Multiple Layer-Film Thickness Analysis
  • Thermal Properties (Crystallinity, Glass Transition, Melting Point, Thermal Expansion)

Litigation Support

  • Consulting & Polymer Expert Witness
  • Polymer Patent Infringement
  • Plastic Product Liability
  • Acetal Resins
  • Acrylic Resins
  • Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) Resins
  • Alkyd Resins
  • Allyl Resins
  • Amino Resins
  • Amino-aldehyde Resins
  • Butadiene Copolymers
  • Carbohydrate Plastics
  • Casein Plastics
  • Cellulose Acetate Resins
  • Cellulose Nitrate Resins
  • Cellulose Propionate Resins
  • Cellulose Resins
  • Cellulose Xanthate (Viscose)
  • Coal Tar Resins
  • Coumarone-indene Resins
  • Cresol Resins
  • Cresol-furfural Resins
  • Custom Compounding Resins
  • Dicyandiamine Resins
  • Diisocyanate Resins
  • Elastomers
  • Epichlorohydrin Bisphenol
  • Epichlorohydrin Diphenol
  • Epoxy Resins
  • Ester Gum
  • Ethylcellulose Plastics
  • Ethylene-vinyl Acetate Resins
  • Fluoro-polymer Resins
  • Fluorohydrocarbon Resins
  • Ion-exchange Resins
  • Ionomer Resins
  • Isobutylene Polymer Resins
  • Lignin Plastics
  • Melamine Resins
  • Methyl Acrylate Resins
  • Methylcellulose Resins
  • Methyl Methacrylate Resins
  • Nitrocellulose (i.e., Pyroxylin) Resins
  • Nylon Resins
  • Petroleum Polymer Resins
  • Phenol-formaldehyde Resins
  • Phenol-furfural Resins
  • Phenolic Resins
  • Phenoxy Resins
  • Phthalic Alkyd Resins
  • Phthalic Anhydride Resins
  • Plastics & Synthetic Resins Regenerating, Precipitating, & Coagulating
  • Polyacrylonitrile Resins
  • Polyamide Resins
  • Polycarbonate Resins
  • Polyester Resins
  • Polyethylene Resins
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resins
  • Polyhexamethylenediamine Adipamide Resins
  • Polyisobutylene Resins
  • Polymethacrylate Resins
  • Polypropylene Resins
  • Polystyrene Resins
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene Resins
  • Polyurethane Resins
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol Resins
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Resins
  • Polyvinyl Halide Resins
  • Polyvinyl Resins
  • Propylene Resins
  • Protein Plastics
  • Pyroxylin (i.e., Nitrocellulose) Resins
  • Resins, plastics
  • Rosins (i.e., Modified Resins)
  • Silicone Resins
  • Soybean Plastics
  • Styrene Resins
  • Styrene-Acrylonitrile Resins
  • Tar Acid Resins
  • Thermoplastic Resins & Plastics Materials
  • Thermosetting Plastics Resins
  • Urea Resins
  • Urea-formaldehyde resins
  • Vinyl Acetate Resins
  • Vinyl Chloride Resins
  • Vinyl Resins
  • Vinylidene Resins

Our team of over 9,000 Engaged Experts in North America, Europe, The Middle East, Australia, Asia and Africa are ready to help you.