Food contact material testing services

Method for testing the resistance of articles or raw materials made from ceramic, glass, glass ceramic, vitreous enamel, metal, and plastics under the combined chemical, thermal, and mechanical stresses of washing in a dishwasher for either domestic or industrial/catering purposes. The test is based on observation, where washed articles are compared to an untested reference article for changes in visual appearance (e.g., color, gloss, physical changes). Measurlabs offers the following options for evaluating your articles or raw materials for dishwasher resistance: Test method Evaluation method Suitable materials Number of wash cycles / test protocol Evaluation frequency Intended use EN 12875-1 EN 12875-2 All types of materials for domestic use Typically 125, 250, or 500; Upon request, other number of wash cycles can be used Confirmed case by case The most common and well-recognized test for confirming domestic articles as dishwasher safe. DIN 10512 EN 12875-2 All types of materials for catering or industrial use Confirmed case by case Confirmed case by case For confirming articles as dishwasher safe for catering or industrial use. EN 12875-4 EN 12875-2 Ceramics for domestic use Immersion into detergent solution for 16 and 32 hours - For rapid and cost-effective screening of materials or articles for R&D and quality control purposes. ASTM C676 ASTM C676 Glass tableware - - Evaluation of resistance of glass enamel decorations to detergent exposure ASTM D3565 ASTM D3565 Ceramic tableware - - Evaluation of removal of overglaze patterns from tableware by dishwasher detergents In cases of uncertainty on designing the test protocol, please reach out for consultative support. However, the following thresholds can be used as a reference: Sample type Maximum number of wash cycles (EN 12875-1) Frequency of evaluation (EN 12875-2) Robust ceramic, glass, and metal articles 250-500 100-125 wash cycles Glass articles with thin wall thickness (e.g., wine glasses) 125-250 75-100 wash cycles Plastic (PP, PE, PA, etc.), robust articles 125-250 50 wash cycles Plastic (PP, PET, PA, etc.), thin articles 125 25-50 wash cycles Biodegradable plastic (PLA, PBAT, etc.), robust articles 125 25-50 wash cycles Biodegradable plastic (PLA, PBAT, etc.), thin articles 125 25 wash cycles Biocomposites 125 25 wash cycles Novel materials 125 25 wash cycles

Rapid method for testing domestic ceramics for resistance to mechanical dishwashing. In this test, the tested articles are immersed in a solution with alkaline dishwashing detergent at (75 ± 1) °C for a total of 32 hours. The specimens are then examined visually according to standard EN 12875-2 to determine any changes in the article. Please note that this test does not indicate a clear number of dishwasher cycles the product is expected to withstand. Rather, this test can be useful for the following purposes: Research and development: for example, comparing different printing or glazing solutions for their resistance to dishwashing and general wear., Quality assurance: ensuring that the product maintains its gloss and color after repeated exposure to chemical, mechanical, and thermal stresses in a domestic dishwasher., Product inspection: for example, if there is suspicion about compromised quality of the printing, glazing, or other product characteristics at the retail level..

Testing to determine cookware's resistance to microwave heating. The test is suitable for cookware made of ceramic, glass, glass-ceramic, or plastic. Tested articles should be intended for multiple uses in a microwave. The test does not apply to articles, particularly plastic ones, that are intended to be discarded after one use. For a more comprehensive evaluation of cookware performance, we also offer the following tests: Dishwasher-safe test, Oven-safe test, Freezer-safe test.

Heat resistance test for cookware to evaluate suitability for cooking in domestic ovens. The test is described in Section 6.1.8 and Annex A of standard EN 13834. In the test, the cookware is placed for 1 hour in an oven heated to a temperature 20 °C above the manufacturer's recommended maximum temperature (or 250 °C where no maximum temperature is given). After 1 hour of incubation, the ovenware shall show no damage to be designated as “oven-proof” or “oven-safe”.

This test is used to evaluate kitchenware and storage articles, such as freezer boxes, for resistance to cold exposure in domestic freezers. In the test, the article is stored at -18°C for 24 hours, after which the article is observed for the presence of off-odor and visual changes, including discoloration, deformation, cracking, and chipping. Additionally, it is checked that functionality has been maintained.

This test is designed to measure the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of packages, such as cups, bottles, trays, and containers. The analysis includes three replica measurements. This test is not suitable for films or sheet-like materials. Please see the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of films and sheeting instead. Upon ordering, please specify the sample dimensions and desired testing conditions. The chosen temperature can be between 15 and 55°C and the relative humidity between 20 and 100% RH.

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.

This tensile test by the ISO 527-3 standard is intended for determining the tensile properties of plastic films and sheeting. It is particularly suited for thin plastic films with high elongation. Determinable properties include tensile strength, yield strength, yield strain, strain at break, and modulus of elasticity. Results include the individual stress-strain curves for five test samples. The standard tensile properties will also be calculated for each of the five specimens.