Temperature Testing

Our laboratories use precise temperature cycling and temperature aging protocols in conjunction with comprehensive life cycle durability test evaluations. Temperature cycling is crucial for evaluating a product's behavior when exposed to rapid and varying temperature extremes, which can lead to thermal stress, dimensional changes, and material fatigue in polymers.

Conversely, constant elevated temperature, or heat aging, is used to accelerate the change in physical properties of a material or product, allowing us to predict years of wear in a matter of weeks. A common example of a critical evaluation performed after heat aging is tensile testing, which quantifies the resultant material degradation.

Advanced Thermal Characterization Capabilities for Polymer Products

Smithers utilizes cutting-edge environmental chambers and equipment to simulate virtually any thermal environment your component might face. We move beyond simple exposure to provide actionable material science insights.

Comprehensive Temperature Testing Capabilities Include:

• Environmental Chambers: Wide-range testing from -70°C to 210°C with controlled relative humidity (up to 95% RH).
• Thermal Cycling: Controlled, often rapid, transitioning between high and low temperatures to induce fatigue and evaluate joint integrity.
• Thermal Shock: Instantaneous exposure to extreme temperature changes to simulate the most severe operational transitions. This is critical for assessing material response to rapid thermal expansion and contraction.
• Humidity Cycling: Combining high temperature and high humidity to accelerate moisture absorption and evaluate its impact on plastic and rubber properties.
• Precision Aging Ovens and Freezers: Used for long-term, controlled thermal exposure to define service life and quantify property decay.

Key Products Tested Using Temperature Testing

Our product testing experts are highly experienced in performing temperature exposure testing across critical component categories, including:

• Automotive Components: Engine bay hoses, seals, and under-hood plastics exposed to high heat and freeze-thaw cycles.
• Fluid Systems: Ensuring rubber and plastic fluid lines maintain integrity across operational thermal ranges.
• Medical Products: Validating sterilizable device durability and storage stability.
• Industrial Goods: Assessing rubber seals and gaskets for extreme environment applications.
• Consumer Products: Evaluating product resilience to seasonal variations and storage conditions.

Ensuring Compliance and Predictive Analysis

Our tests are performed to all major industry and governmental standards, providing the verified data necessary for compliance and certification. We routinely test to: ASTM, ISO, SAE, Fed, MIL, FDA, and specific OEM automotive specifications.

The Value of Accelerated Temperature Testing

For R&D teams, effective temperature testing translates directly into risk mitigation and cost savings:

• Material Selection Confidence: Proving that new or alternative materials can withstand specified thermal envelopes without catastrophic failure.
• Predictive Failure Analysis: Identifying the precise temperature point at which a rubber seal becomes brittle or a plastic housing warps, leading to targeted design adjustments.
• Extended Service Life: Using accelerated aging data to confidently define and extend product warranty periods.

Quantify Your Product's Thermal Resilience

Don't let temperature extremes undermine your product's performance. Partner with Smithers to precisely characterize the thermal limits of your materials and components. Get the validation you need to confidently launch products that last.

Request a Consultation on Polymer Temperature Testing with Smithers