Testing Procedures in the Chemical Industry
In today’s highly competitive chemical industry, it’s imperative that all of your investments deliver a good ROI. That’s why the materials you develop or use need to be strong enough or pure enough to meet their purposes. At the same time, you need to ensure the safety of your personnel and comply with all applicable regulations. That’s why it’s critical that the equipment and materials you use are robust enough to withstand extreme pressures such as heat, cold and oxidization.
Depending on your specific processes and products, there are several tests you might benefit from. These include UL 1709, EPA 24, ASTM C177 and FTIR.
UL 1709 Test Lab
In the chemical industry, both equipment and materials can reach high temperatures. As such, fire protection is of the highest importance to protect personnel and plants. UL 1709 is a fire standard that governs the requirements for equipment fire protection. A UL 1709 test determines whether a protective material is strong enough to maintain structural integrity at extremely high temperatures (as much as 2000 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes.
The benefit of UL 1709-tested protective materials is that it buys personnel time — up to 30 minutes — to take action in the event of a fire.
EPA 24 Testing Standards
Method EPA 24, better known as EPA 24, was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency to test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in inks, paints and other coating methods. It tests both the total value of VOCs and the specific VOCs present, determines the amount of emissions these liquids produce and helps manufacturers ensure they stay within EPA guidelines.
ASTM C177
ASTM C177 measures heat flux in materials in steady-state conditions. It is most commonly used to determine the thermal resistance of a material — specifically, materials with low thermal conductivity that are intended as thermal insulators. This can be important, both in terms of safety and in terms of functionality, when developing equipment and products that need to keep heat in or out.
FTIR
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, also referred to as FTIR analysis, is a method of identifying organic, inorganic and polymeric compounds. It works by scanning samples with infrared light and observing the bond properties of the different elements. FTIR analysis is a crucial aspect of determining the strength or purity of materials and substances.
Get the Testing You Need From Trustworthy Professionals
When it comes to chemical testing, you need assurance that the lab you choose possesses the capabilities, expertise and track record to deliver top-quality results you can rely on. That’s why, since our inception in 1982, we have worked hard to become one of the world’s leading commercial testing companies.
With our top-of-the-line equipment and decades-long expertise, we are familiar with all applicable regulations for your industry. And since our dedication to customer service doesn’t stop with standard testing, our in-house team of engineers is available to design and perform custom tests, as well as field tests, upon request.
We’re proud to be an ISO 17020, 17025 and 17065-accredited lab with clients that include the U.S. Navy, NAVSEA, the Naval Service Warfare Center and the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey.
Fill out our contact form or call 718-542-8248 to learn more about our testing procedures or request a free, no-obligation quote.
Learn More About VTEC Services
At VTEC Laboratories, our role as a multi-functional company stems from our more than three decades of experience. Due to our extensive expertise in multiple industries, we provide comprehensive services that meet each field’s unique standards, needs and objectives.
Learn more about our services by contacting us online or calling us at (718) 542-8248.