Thermal characterizations related to softening temperatures and deflection temperatures under load.
VICAT softening temperature measurement: Thermal test able to determine the softening temperature, expressed in a good approximation as the glass transition temperature for amorphous polymers and at the melting temperature for semi-crystalline polymers.
The determination takes place by penetration of an indenter for about 1 mm of the thickness of the sample, at a defined speed (100 °C/h or 50 °C/h) and force (10 N or 50 N).
The laboratory is able to perform the test according to ISO 306 standard conditions.
Measurement of the deflection temperature under load HDT: Additional thermal test able to determine the temperature at which a “rod” specimen undergoes a deflection of 0.25 mm, due to a set load.
The laboratory is able to perform the test according to ISO 75 standard conditions.