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Plastic Testing Laboratory
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 in 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)
At Microbe Investigations, we perform the following efficacy test for antimicrobial-treated plastics.
- JIS Z 2801 – Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastic surfaces (plastics)
- ISO 22196: 2007 – Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastic surfaces
- ISO 846: 2019 – Evaluation of the action of microorganisms on plastics
- ISO 21702: 2019 – Standard for measuring antiviral activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces
- ASTM E2180: 2018 – Standard for evaluating the efficacy of incorporated antimicrobial agents in polymeric or hydrophobic materials
- ASTM G29: 1996 – Standard for determination of algal resistance of plastic films
- ASTM G21: 1996 – Standard for determining the antifungal resistance of synthetic polymer materials
Test organisms performed at MIS
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 entercia (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.
Products tested in our Plastic Testing Laboratory
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
The importance of plastic product testing
Plastic product testing provides manufacturers with scientific proof that their products perform as intended. Antimicrobial testing specifically validates the efficacy of plastics in resisting microbial attacks, thus ensuring manufacturers and consumers that their products are efficient. Proper testing from accredited polymer testing labs will help identify the areas of weaknesses of the material, thus allowing manufacturers to redefine their products to serve better in the intended areas, such as medical, packaging or construction.
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.
Advantages of Antimicrobial testing of Plastic Products
Reduces the burden of microbial contamination
Reusable plastic products can act as reservoirs for harmful bacteria if not sterilized or cleaned properly, leading to microbial infection and potential health hazards, particularly in dental and hospital settings. Antimicrobial plastic materials help avoid such infections.
Increases product durability
Antimicrobial additives in plastic materials prevent the growth of microbes, extending the functional life of plastics.
Protects against staining & bad odors
Antimicrobial plastic materials do not develop yellowing or unpleasant smells with repeated use due to antimicrobial additives, preserving the aesthetic appearance of products.
Prevents biofilm formation
Antimicrobial plastics prevent the formation of biofilms by inhibiting microorganism growth and adhering to plastic surfaces.
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.
FAQs on Plastic Testing Services
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.
Antimicrobial-treated plastic products reduce microbial infections, increase product durability and prevent bad odors and biofilm formation.
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.
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.
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.
Testing can be conducted against a range of microorganisms, including various bacterial and fungal strains known to cause infections and degrade materials.
In healthcare settings, antimicrobial plastics reduce microbial load on surfaces, equipment and medical devices, decreasing healthcare-associated infections and promoting patient safety.
In high-traffic public areas, antimicrobial plastics maintain hygiene by reducing microbial load on frequently touched surfaces, preventing infections.
Antimicrobial additives inhibit the growth of microbes that could break down plastics, improving the shelf life and maintaining the integrity of 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.
Get your product tested now
✓ Completed test order form (TOS)
✓ Customization and Assistance to determine the right test for your project
✓ FAST TRACK Program with less Turnaround Time
