Major Testing Techniques for Plastics: An Introduction
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Virtual Event, VE
10/01/2025 - 10/03/2025
Online - Virtual Event - US EST
Early Bird Special
ASTM automatically applies a discount of 10% when participants register 90 days before the start of the class.
*After the early bird period expires, registrations are subject to standard pricing.
About the Course
This extensive three-day covers basic principles, techniques, and equipment for commonly-used mechanical and analytical tests on plastic materials. You'll learn about mechanical properties, chemical analysis, flammability, combustibility, instrumental analysis, thermal aging, and much more.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Determine what types of tests you need
- Explain what is needed to perform the tests
- Discuss what affects the tests
- Describe basic principles, techniques, and equipment for mechanical and analytical tests
- Define mechanical properties, chemical analysis, combustibility, instrumental analysis, and thermal aging.
Please note: This course emphasizes fundamentals rather than advanced theory.
Who Should Attend
- Technicians
- Shop foremen
- Sales representatives
- Technical liaisons
- Professionals new to testing of plastics
- Process engineers
- Laboratory supervisors and managers accountable for quality assurance or product development
- Anyone who needs knowledge of test methods.
Course Description
Virtual Sessions will begin at 8:00 AM on all three days and end at approximately 4:30 PM on days one and two. Working through lunch, class ends at approximately 2:00 PM on day three.
General
- Basic Polymer Structure & Explanation of Terms
- Use of SQC Charts, Collaborative Testing and Analyzing Test Data
- ASTM Organization and Developing ASTM Standards
Introduction to Mechanical Properties and Tests
- Viscoelastic Behavior: Effects of time, temperature & speed of testing
- Force/Deformation Curves
- Static Tests: Stress/strain relationships, terminology, instruments (tensile, compression flex)
- Impact Tests: Izod, Charpy, film tests
- Measuring Yield Point, Strain, 4 Kinds of Modulus, etc.
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
- Computerization & Automation
- Surface Properties, Tear Tests, Thermal Tests (heat deflection, coefficient of expansion, Vicat)
Introduction to Analytical Techniques
- Spectroscopy: Infrared, Raman nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray, UV/visible, mass spectrometry
- Chromatography: Gas, liquid, headspace GC, pyrolysis GC
- Microscopy
- Permeation Methods: Oxygen and water vapor transmission
- Thermal Methods: DSC, TGA, TMA
- Molecular Weight Characterization: Viscosity, size exclusion, etc.
Application of Analytical & Mechanical Methods
- Additives: Types, sample preparation, methods of analysis
- Foreign Materials in Plastics
- Polymer Residuals: Headspace analysis by GC, LC
- Polymer: Spectroscopy, molecular characterization
- Literature and instructor's examples related to product failure; use of multiple analytical and/or mechanical tests
Aging (Plastics)
- Aging Mechanisms and Rates
- Exposure Conditions
- Failure Examples
Flammability/Combustibility Testing
- Flame Spread: Small-, medium-, and large-scale tests
- Heat Release; Smoke; Toxicity; Corrosion
Fee Includes
- Referenced ASTM standards
- Course notes
- Coffee breaks
- A Certificate of Completion
- 2.1 CEUs (Continuing Education Units).
This course also includes access to a free ASTM course:
About the Instructors
Mark Lavach is employed by Arkema Inc. where he oversees its North American Analytical and Systems Research Group. Prior to joining the analytical team, he was responsible for Arkema’s North American PVC Additives technology development including R&D, process development and technical support involving stabilizer, impact modifier, and process aid products for the rigid PVC marketplace. Before managing the group, he was the lead North American scientist for PVC Additives Impact Modifier/Process Aid product and process development. He also served as chief technical advisor to a variety of trade groups involved with support and production of rigid vinyl products.
Mark is an honored Fellow of both ASTM International and the Society of Plastics Engineers. Additionally he is the recipient of the ASTM International’s Award of Merit, the SPE Vinyl Division’s Technical Contributions to Vinyl Award, the ASTM International Committee D20 Robert MacFarlane Award of Excellence, the Vinyl Siding Institute’s Ken Mieure Award for Distinguished Service, and an Arkema’s Chairperson’s Award for Distinguished Technical Innovations. In 2023 he received the SPE Vinyl Division Award for Outstanding Service. He is a four-time recipient of the Best Technical Presentation Award at SPE VINYLTEC Conferences and completed over seventy projects involving either the authorship of new or revision to existing ASTM standards supporting the plastics industry.
Mark is also the immediate past Chair of ASTM International Committee D20 on Plastics and currently chairs its Subcommittee on Plastics Recycling. A holder of multiple US Patents, he holds an M.S. in Engineering Science (Chemistry/Chemical Engineering) from the New Jersey Institute of Technology as well as a Certificate in Technology Management from the California Institute of Technology.
Shelia Malone, DrPH, MPPA, BS, CPH, has over 22 years of experience in the PVC industry. She is a 6Sigma Green Belt and ISO Internal Quality Auditor certified professional, with expertise in physical property and analytical testing, including HPLC, capillary rheometry, FTIR, and X-ray analysis. Shelia is responsible for training and supervising lab personnel, developing and implementing laboratory training standards, conducting statistical analysis, and serving as a departmental liaison with regulatory agencies.
About Sponsoring Committee
Established in 1898, ASTM is one of the world's largest voluntary standards development organizations. ASTM standards have grown to be among the world's most widely used and accepted documents. The 82-volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards contain over 13,000 standards written by 34,000 members on 140 technical committees. These standards are widely used throughout the world as the basis of purchasing and other contracts, codes, laws and regulations. The standards referenced in this course were developed by ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics. For information on Committee D20, contact Alyson Fick at (610) 832-9640 or go to our D20 technical committee page.
Attention: Professional Engineers
If your state has a continuing education requirement for license renewal, ASTM training courses and ASTM membership can help you meet that requirement.
Group Sessions
Do you have a group of 5 or more people interested in this course? Save time and money by bringing this course to your site. On-site training courses, either in person or virtual, can also be tailored to meet your specific needs. For more information, please contact sales here or call 1-877-909-ASTM.
How Learning Will Be Assessed
Learning will be assessed through a series of question and answer sessions.
Cancellation Policy
Note: Because of the potential for course changes or cancellations, it is not advisable to make non-refundable accommodation reservations, since ASTM cannot be responsible for any loss incurred.
- Full refunds (minus $100 administrative fee) are available up to 5 business days before the course.
- Transfers to a later session (within the same calendar year) or alternate attendee substitutions are allowed at no charge up to 5 days before the course.
- Cancellations within 5 days of the course start will receive a 50% refund.
For information on this training course, please contact Training
Proficiency Testing Program(s)
ASTM offers related Proficiency Testing Program(s) for this industry