Laboratory tests for plastics & polymers

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used to determine transition temperatures and enthalpy changes of solid and liquid samples under controlled temperature changes. The analysis can be used to determine the melting, crystallization, and glass transition temperatures and their enthalpies, the material's amorphic and crystalline behavior, hardening and specific heat, material compatibility, and the effect of additives. The temperature range for the measurement is -170 °C to 600 °C, available atmospheres are N₂ and O₂. Please disclose the desired temperature program upon ordering: heating rate(s) (K/min), isotherms, and temperature ranges (min/max). If you have any doubts about these parameters, we are more than happy to help.

In TGA, the sample is heated at a controlled rate or kept at a controlled temperature while its mass is weighed with an extremely precise scale. The analysis provides information about phase transitions, absorption, adsorption, desorption, chemisorption, thermal decomposition, and solid-gas reactions. It can also be used as a characterization and compositional analysis method. As a result of the measurement, you will get the change in mass as a function of temperature and time. A simultaneous thermal analysis (TGA + DSC) can be performed upon request. The type of heating cycle can be tailored to your sample (temperature ranges from 25 °C to 1100 °C), with various options for the surrounding gas atmosphere (air, O₂, and N₂). Please disclose the aim of the measurement and the desired temperature program and atmosphere(s) upon ordering.

Heat deflection temperature (HDT), also known as heat distortion temperature, describes the plastic's resistance to deformation by a given load at an elevated temperature. It can also give insight into the injection mouldability of the plastic. HDT is defined as the temperature where the sample specimen bends 0.25 mm under a given weight. It can be measured with either method A (1.80 MPa), B (0.45 MPa), or C (8.00 MPa) as per ISO 75. The load and specimen type are chosen according to the tested material. The test is always done as a duplicate.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that might migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants A, B, and C are assigned for foods that have a hydrophilic character and can extract hydrophilic substances. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). The starting price applies to single-use materials and articles. We also offer migration testing with simulant A for repeated-use articles. Do not hesitate to request an offer.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants A, B, and C are assigned for foods that have a hydrophilic character and can extract hydrophilic substances. Food simulant B shall be used for foods with a pH below 4.5. In order to comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). The lower end of the displayed price range applies to single-use materials and the higher end to repeated-use materials.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulant C shall be used to assess overall migration into alcoholic foods with an alcohol content of up to 20 % and those foods that contain a relevant amount of organic ingredients that render the food lipophilic. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). The lower end of the displayed price range applies to single-use materials and articles, while the higher one applies to repeated-use materials.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the compounds that might migrate from a food contact material into food. We offer OM testing with simulant D1 for both single-use articles (lower displayed price) and repeated-use articles (higher displayed price). According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants D1 and D2 are assigned for testing migration into foods that have a lipophilic character and are capable of extracting lipophilic substances. Food simulant D1 shall be used for alcoholic foods with alcohol content above 20%, milk and dairy products, and oil-in-water emulsions. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, migration must not exceed the overall migration limit (OML) of 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg).

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants D1 and D2 are assigned for foods that have a lipophilic character and are able to extract lipophilic substances. Food simulant D2 shall be used for foods that contain free fats at the surface. In order to comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). We offer testing for both single-use and repeated-use articles. Due to the destructive nature of simulant D2, repeated-use tests are carried out on three sets of sample material with varying exposure times.

Overall migration (OML) testing with simulants A, B, and D2 is used to ensure the compliance of food packaging, cling film, freezer bags, nitrile gloves, takeaway boxes, and all other materials or articles that are intended for contact with all types of foods. Overall migration is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from the food contact material into food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, materials and articles intended for contact with all types of food shall be tested with food simulants A (10% ethanol), B (3% acetic acid), and D2 (olive oil). To comply with the regulation, overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). If testing with simulant D2 is not technically feasible, it is substituted with simulants D2e (95% ethanol) and D2i (isooctane). In case the contact temperature exceeds 100 °C, testing overall migration with simulant E (Tenax) is also necessary (not included in the cost). Our experts will provide guidance for selecting the appropriate simulants and migration conditions. Do not hesitate to ask for more information or a quote for testing repeated-use articles (the displayed price applies to single-use materials).

Overall migration (OM) into simulant E (Tenax) measures the sum of volatile and semi-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into food via the gas phase. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulant E is assigned for materials that are intended for contact with dry foods (e.g., salt, dried spices, semolina, sugar) or which can be considered to have a dry surface (e.g. unpeeled fruits, frozen foods). Simulant E can be also used if the tested material absorbs or is otherwise not able to withstand a liquid simulant (e.g. uncoated paper, napkins, tissue paper). Due to its thermal stability, Tenax is used as a simulant for the overall migration testing of materials intended for high-temperature applications (> 100 °C) if testing with olive oil is not technically feasible. Typical instances include e.g. ovenable paperboard packaging, baking paper, cooking utensils made from polyamide, and ovenable silicone molds. The test methods intended for plastics and paper have been described in standards EN 1186-13 (method B) and EN 14338, respectively. The standard overall migration limit (OML) is either 10 mg/dm2 or 60 mg/kg, depending on the regulation. Compliance can be evaluated according to various regulations/guidelines; see Table 1 for details. Table 1. Examples of available safety references for compliance evaluation of the results. Material Regulatory or other safety reference Plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Uncoated) paper and board Resolution CM/Res(2020)9; DGCCRF MCDA sheet n°4 (V02 – 01/01/2019) Silicone Silicones Europe guidelines; French Arrêté du 25 novembre 1992 Rubber BfR XXI Coatings, varnishes, adhesives Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

Determination of the specific migration of elements listed in Annex II of Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. The test covers the following elements or parameters: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Lanthanum (La), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Sum of lanthanides – Eu, Gd, La, Tb.

Specific migration of formaldehyde [CAS 50-00-0; Ref No 17260/54880; FCM 98] from a plastic food contact material. The compound is listed under FCM 98 in Annex I of European Regulation No 2011/10. Formaldehyde is grouped with FCM 196 and FCM 344 in Group 15. Together, the compounds have a specific migration limit (SML) of 15 mg/kg (expressed as formaldehyde). We also offer testing for fiber-based food contact materials - see formaldehyde content in extracts of paper and board.

Analysis of the migration of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) into selected food simulant. NIAS have various sources and can be grouped into side products, breakdown products, and contaminants. The service is available with the following simulants: 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, and iso-octane - suitable for plastic materials and materials with polymer coatings, Dry food simulant (Tenax) - also suitable for materials that cannot withstand liquid simulants (e.g. paper and board). The lower displayed price covers testing with liquid simulants and the higher with Tenax. A simple risk assessment based on EU regulations for food contact materials and EFSA's Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach is included in the cost. More extensive risk assessment is available upon request.