Material Testing
A key success factor in Foster’s global commitment to quality is evident in their value-added approach to product evaluation. The value added is present in the use of highly trained, ASQ certified quality professionals using ASTM test methods to evaluate Foster products and services. These comprehensive tests are categorized in three categories; standard, advanced and specialty. The tests available in each category are listed below:
Standard
- Ash (filler content analysis)
- Bulk Density
- Color analysis via visual
- Dispersion (TAPPI method)
- Durometer (Shore A or D)
- Flat Down
- Melt Index
- Pellet size
- Porosity
- Specific Gravity
- Strand Surface
- Visual impurities (contamination)
Advanced
- Capillary Rheometer
- Color matching
- Color matching using Bismuth
- Color matching for criticality
- Flexural Modulus
Specialty
- Color analysis via colorimeter
- Conductivity & Resistively
- FTIR – Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
- Molding ASTM samples
- Statistical Data analysis via Chartrunner software
- Surface roughness via Profilometer
- TGA – Thermo Gravimetric Analysis
In addition, Foster is a member of the University of Connecticut’s Institute for Material Science which allows access to hundreds of additional tests for polymers, metals and ceramics.
