Plastic Testing Lab

With thorough testing, we make sure your products meet the highest industry standards.

What Is Plastic Testing?

Plastic testing includes tests for assessing different properties of plastic materials to ensure that these materials meet standard requirements and specifications for use. These tests characterize various aspects, which include strength, durability, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and more.

Characteristics of plastic materials

Plastic materials are lightweight, durable, and resistant to most chemical actions. Because of these properties, plastics are widely used in many applications. Plastics also possess other properties, such as flexibility, electrical insulation, and low thermal conductivity, which render them cost-effective and easily adaptable for any given application.

What is the need of testing the plastics efficiently?

Plastic testing must be conducted efficiently at an accredited polymer testing lab to ensure the material meets quality, safety, and regulatory norms for its intended application. Testing helps verify the durability and performance of the material, as well as its resistance to environmental issues. Moreover, it also aids manufacturers in enhancing the product by improving its features.

Types of plastic testing

Various types of tests can be performed on plastics. Some of these tests include tensile tests for strength, impact tests for resistance to force, thermal tests that determine its behavior in case of changes in temperature, and chemical resistance tests that test its durability against chemicals. Other tests, such as flammability testing, environmental stress cracking and optical testing for transparency or color, can also be performed depending on the purpose of use.

Antimicrobial plastic testing

Antimicrobial plastic testing evaluates the efficacy of different types of plastic materials in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Testing mainly consists of exposing plastic to microbial cultures under appropriate conditions and measuring reductions in microbial activities for a certain period of time. This ensures that antimicrobial properties of plastics are functional for applications within health care, packaging and consumer products to help maintain hygiene and safety. This antimicrobial activity on plastic surfaces is usually tested by using standards like ISO 22196.

Antimicrobial test methods for plastics

Several international organizations across the globe contribute to the publication of standard test methods which can be used to test the effectiveness of antimicrobial plastics. Some of these organizations include:

  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  • American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  • Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS)

Test methods for plastics

  • JIS Z 2801
Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastic surfaces
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  • ISO 22196: 2007
Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastic surfaces
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  • ISO 846: 2019
Evaluation of the action of microorganisms on plastics
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  • ASTM E2180: 2018
Standard for evaluating the efficacy of incorporated antimicrobial agents in polymeric or hydrophobic materials
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  • ISO 21702: 2019
Standard for measuring antiviral activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces
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  • ASTM E2180: 2018
Standard for evaluating the efficacy of incorporated antimicrobial agents in polymeric or hydrophobic materials
  • ASTM G21: 1996
Standard for determining the antifungal resistance of synthetic polymer materials
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  • ASTM G29: 1996
Standard for determination of algal resistance of plastic films
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Organisms tested in our plastic testing laboratory

At MIS, we perform the test using the following microorganisms:

Bacteria

Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), MRSA (ATCC 33591), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352).

Virus

SARS CoV-2, Human coronavirus (229E) (ATCC VR-740), Betacoronavirus (OC-43) (ATCC VR-1558), Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469), Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR-1679), Feline calcivirus, Vaccinia virus, Poliovirus, Norovirus, Adenovirus.

Fungi

Candida albicans (MTCC 3017), Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16888), Aspergillus brasiliensis,Trichoderma virens, Chaetomium globosum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium funiculosum.

Scope of plastic producs tested at MIS

We provide our testing services to a variety of antimicrobial-treated plastic items, such as

Storage containers
Coating materials
Ceramic
Natural and artificial leather
Rubber
Medical devices
Vinyl siding
Surgical gloves
Roofing membranes
Antimicrobial phone covers

How plastic testing applies to different industries

Plastic testing is crucial in all industries, mostly because it ensures safety, durability and conformance with various regulatory frameworks. In packaging sectors, testing avoids the contamination of products, while automotive and aerospace plastics are tested under extreme conditions for strength and durability. Medical equipment needs to be thoroughly tested according to specific health standards. Construction plastics undergo toxicity level testing and durability tests, while testing of consumer goods is required for public safety. Thus, plastic product testing plays an integral role in most industries.

The importance of plastic product testing

Fabric testing is essential for maintaining the quality, safety and performance of fabrics used in various industries. Below are key reasons why fabrictesting is crucial:

Enhances consumer safety

Minimizes the potential for harmful microbial exposure, particularly in sensitive applications like medical and food packaging.

Improves product durability

Demonstrates the product's ability to withstand microbial degradation, extending its lifespan.

Enhanced applications

Enables manufacturers to refine plastics for better functionality in critical sectors like medical, packaging, and construction.

Consumer assurance

Validates the performance of plastic products, building trust among consumers regarding their quality.

Advantages of antimicrobial testing of plastic products

  • Scientific validation: Plastic product testing provides manufacturers with evidence that their products perform as intended.
  • Accredited testing: Testing through certified polymer testing labs ensures reliable and accurate results.
  • Consumer assurance: Validates the performance of plastic products, building trust among consumers regarding their quality.
  • Facilitates regulatory compliance: Ensures adherence to industry standards and safety regulations for antimicrobial plastics.
  • Boosts market appeal: Provides a competitive edge by certifying products as antimicrobial, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
  • Strengthens brand reputation: Positions manufacturers as leaders in innovation and quality assurance by offering tested, safe products.
  • Encourages material innovation: Insights from testing promote the development of advanced materials with enhanced antimicrobial properties.
  • Prevents product recalls: Early testing reduces the risk of market failures or recalls due to microbial contamination.

Why trust MIS with your
plastic product testing?

At Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we collaborate with various plastic industries to test antimicrobial products. Our extensive experience allows us to customize testing protocols for precise results. Our mission is to provide rapid, accurate and cost-effective testing to meet your business needs. 

For more information about our antibacterial and antiviral tests for plastic materials, contact us here.

Other Industries

Entomology

Paints

Disinfectants & Sanitizers

Cosmetics

Textile

Frequently Asked Questions

What does antimicrobial testing for plastics mean?
Antimicrobial testing for plastics is a series of tests performed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of treated plastics, ensuring they are effective in reducing or eliminating microbial contamination.
What are the benefits of antimicrobial plastic products?
Antimicrobial-treated plastic products reduce microbial infections, increase product durability and prevent bad odors and biofilm formation.
How does antimicrobial testing at a plastic testing laboratory ensure the efficacy of our plastic products?
Antimicrobial testing at a plastic testing laboratory provides evidence of effectiveness by measuring the reduction of microbial populations using standard test methods, confirming the functionality of antimicrobial agents in plastic materials.
Which test methods are relevant for testing antimicrobial plastics?
Relevant test methods for assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of plastics include JIS Z 2801, ISO 22196, ISO 21702, ISO 846, ASTM E2180, ASTM G21 and ASTM G29.
What types of plastic products can be tested for antimicrobial efficacy at MIS?
At MIS, a variety of plastic products can be tested, including coating materials, ceramic, natural and artificial leather, rubber, vinyl siding, roofing membranes, surgical gloves, medical devices, storage containers and antimicrobial phone covers.
What are the organisms that can be tested against antimicrobial plastics?
Testing can be conducted against a range of microorganisms, including various bacterial and fungal strains known to cause infections and degrade materials.
How can antimicrobial plastics help reduce microbial contamination in healthcare settings?
In healthcare settings, antimicrobial plastics reduce microbial load on surfaces, equipment and medical devices, decreasing healthcare-associated infections and promoting patient safety.
What advantages do antimicrobial plastics offer in high-traffic public areas?
In high-traffic public areas, antimicrobial plastics maintain hygiene by reducing microbial load on frequently touched surfaces, preventing infections.
How do antimicrobial additives in plastics contribute to product durability?
Antimicrobial additives inhibit the growth of microbes that could break down plastics, improving the shelf life and maintaining the integrity of plastic products.
How can we customize testing protocols for our specific antimicrobial plastic products?
Experts at MIS can tailor test protocols by selecting appropriate test conditions, microbial strains and evaluation criteria to meet the specific needs and applications of your antimicrobial plastic products, ensuring accurate and relevant results.

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