Surface and volume resistivity of plastics

Dielectric constant (or relative permittivity) is a measurement of a material's ability to store electrical energy when subjected to an electric field. A material with a high permittivity will store more energy in the material compared to a material with a lower permittivity. This parameter allows for the evaluation of a material's performance when used as a dielectric in a capacitor or as an electrically insulating material, for example. The permittivity is dependent on the frequency of the applied electric field, as well as the temperature. Measurlabs can offer analyses up to 3 MHz at room temperature (23 °C) within our current testing portfolio. Samples for testing must be provided as flat with no surface defects or voids within the material. Please specify whether you would like testing according to ASTM D150 or IEC 62631-2-1 in your request.

This analysis, performed according to the IEC 60243-1 standard, determines the dielectric strength of solid plastics by subjecting a flat sample plate to a gradually increasing voltage between two electrodes. The voltage at which the plastic loses its insulating properties is known as the breakdown voltage. The dielectric strength is calculated by dividing the breakdown voltage by the thickness of the sample and is typically expressed in kilovolts per millimeter (kV/mm). Samples are preconditioned at 23 °C and 50% RH for 24 hours before testing and are tested in a surrounding medium of thermostated insulating oil to prevent flashover. Typical room-temperature analysis includes five tests at 23 °C. The dielectric strength is determined from the median of the test results. Five additional tests will be conducted if any single test result deviates by more than 15% from the median. The dielectric strength is then determined from the median of the 10 results. These additional tests do not affect the price of the analysis. Maximum dielectric strength 50 kV/mm. Analyses conducted at cryogenic and elevated temperatures (up to 250 °C) are also available. Please contact us for a quote tailored to your project. Note that we also offer other tests to evaluate the electrical properties of plastics, including volume & surface resistivity and comparative tracking index (CTI) determination.

X-Ray Reflectometry (XRR) analysis is used to measure the density (g/cm3), thickness (nm), and roughness (nm) of thin films. The method is applicable to the characterization of single- or multilayered thin films, as it provides information on the thickness and density of individual layers of the sample material as well as the roughness of the interphases. Greatest accuracy for XRR thickness measurements is generally achieved for samples containing 1-150 nm thick surface layers with under 5 nm RMS roughness. Thicker films and coatings with rougher surfaces can also be characterized, but the accuracy of thickness determination decreases as the thickness and roughness of the film or film stack increase. >150 mm wafers are typically cut to fit the sample holder. Please let us know if you need testing for larger wafers that cannot be cut into pieces. The available temperature range for XRR measurements is 25-1100 °C, and crystallinity can be studied as a function of temperature. The measurements can be performed under a normal atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum. Measurements are typically performed using one of the following instruments: Rigaku SmartLab, Panalytical X'Pert Pro MRD, Bruker D8 Discover. Please let us know if you have a preference for a specific instrument.

This test is designed to measure the oxygen transmission rate of finished packages, including cups, bottles, trays, and containers. Two replica measurements are included in the displayed price. Temperature can be adjusted from 15 to 55 °C, and relative humidity can be either 0% or between 5 and 90% RH. This test is not suitable for films. Please see the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of films and sheeting if you need testing for film samples. Please specify the sample dimensions and testing conditions upon ordering.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used as plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible and durable. They have also been used as additives in products such as cosmetics and personal care items. Several phthalates have been identified as endocrine-disrupting agents or as chemicals toxic to reproduction. Exposure to phthalates can occur through: Oral exposure Food: Exposure occurs via migration from food packaging., Children's toys: Children often put toys in their mouths.., Inhalation: Breathing in dust from vinyl flooring or fragrances (like perfumes) can cause exposure to phthalates via inhalation., Skin contact: Phthalates present in cosmetics, lotions, and soaps can be absorbed through the skin.. For other listed matrices apart from cosmetics, the analysis package covers the following substances included in the REACH Authorization List: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP 84-69-5 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 Products that contain restricted phthalates in concentrations higher than 0.1% may be removed from the market. The analysis package for cosmetic products contains the following phthalates: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 All the above-mentioned substances are prohibited in cosmetic products (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009).

Analysis for quantifying dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) in various packaging materials (e.g. food and cosmetics packaging) and their raw materials, including plastics, paper, and rubber. Dioxins and furans are a family of chlorine-containing chemicals considered bioaccumulating, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can be toxic even at low doses. While regulatory limits apply mainly to food and feed, packaging materials can be a source of indirect exposure to dioxins and furans. Recycled materials tend to pose relatively high risks, depending on the quality of the raw material and the effectiveness of the decontamination process. The following substances are included in the analysis: Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) 2,3,7,8-TCDD. 2,3,7,8-TCDF. 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD. 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF. 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD. 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF. 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD. 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF. 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD. 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF. 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD. 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF. OCDD. 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF. 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF. 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF. OCDF. Testing is often performed for the following reasons: Analyzing recycled PE, PP, and LDPE intended for cosmetics packaging according to CosPaTox guidelines., Analyzing paper and board bleached with elementary chlorine according to the requirements of TemaNord 2008:515 guidelines..

Determination of vinyl chloride [CAS: 75-01-4] content in plastics. Both the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have identified vinyl chloride as a carcinogen. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials, vinyl chloride content in the final product must not exceed 1 mg/kg. In addition, the substance has a specific migration limit of ND, which means that there must be no detectable migration into food.

Standard ISO 22196 outlines a method for evaluating the antibacterial activity of plastics and other non-porous surfaces. The procedure involves inoculating the sample with a specified concentration of bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli, and incubating it under controlled conditions. After incubation, the number of viable bacteria on the test surface is compared to that on an untreated control surface. The difference is quantified as a logarithmic reduction, indicating the level of antibacterial activity. This method is widely recognized as reproducible and consistent, making it a reliable tool for assessing the efficacy of antibacterial treatments in industries such as healthcare, packaging, and consumer products. The lower end of the price range applies to testing with one bacterial strain, while the higher end includes analyses with both S. aureus and E. coli.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements and the rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

Determination of the dynamic shear viscosity using a rotary rheometer. The displayed price includes a shear rate ramp test at a specified temperature. Please specify the following upon ordering the test: desired testing temperature (max. 200 °C), desired shear rate range (from 0,1 s^-1 to 100 s^-1). The set-up configuration of the rheometer can be chosen based on the sample type (the most common options are parallel plate and cone-and-plate). Do not hesitate to ask for a quote for a custom viscosity testing program. For example: temperatures from -20 to 600 °C, and shear rate ranges from 0,01 to 1,000 s^-1 are possible, as well as rotational and oscillatory measurements, time and temperature sweeps, etc.