Plastic Testing Equipment

Plastic Testing Equipment from NextGen

Plastics behave differently depending on how they are stretched, compressed, struck, or exposed to heat and wear. That is why testing is carried out in several ways, such as checking strength, elongation, hardness, impact toughness, tear resistance, and melt flow. No single method can describe the full picture, but together they allow engineers to understand how a material will perform.

NextGen offers equipment for each of these tasks, from universal testing machines and impact testers to hardness systems, tear strength analyzers, melt flow testers, and environmental chambers. Using this range, research labs and factories can evaluate plastics with accuracy and keep results consistent from one project to another.

Below you can find the main categories of plastic testing equipment we provide.

Universal Testing Machines (UTMs)

Universal testing machines are the main tool for checking how plastics behave when stretched, compressed, or bent. They allow users to measure tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, and related properties with reliable accuracy.

Available systems:

• NG-EML Series A – Single Column Bench Top Universal Testing Machine (50 N – 5 kN)
• NG-EML Series B – Dual Column Bench Top Universal Testing Machine (100 N – 10 kN)
• NG-EML Series C – Dual Column Bench Top and Floor Standing Universal Testing Machine (5 kN – 50 kN)
• NG-EML Series D – Floor Standing Universal Testing Machine (50 kN – 1000 kN)
• GenTest Data Acquisition Software

All models can be equipped with different grips and fixtures, so the same machine can handle thin films, rigid plastics, foams, and composites without problems.

Common standards supported:

• ASTM D638 – Tensile properties of plastics
• ASTM D790 – Flexural properties of plastics
• ASTM D695 – Compressive properties of rigid plastics
• ASTM D882 – Tensile properties of thin plastic sheeting
• ISO 527 – Plastics: determination of tensile properties
• ISO 178 – Plastics: determination of flexural properties

Impact Testing Systems

Impact testing systems are used to determine how plastics and rubber specimens behave when subjected to sudden loads. These machines provide engineers and researchers with data on toughness, fracture energy, and resilience, which are all critical for evaluating how materials perform in real applications.

Equipment included:

• Class J – Charpy and Izod Automatic Impact Testing System (1J – 50J)
• GenNotch 3000 – Advanced Motorized Multi-Specimen Notching and Broaching Machine for Plastic Specimens
• GenNotch 2000 – Specimen Notching and Broaching Machine for Plastic Specimens
• NG-ImpactFall – Falling Weight Impact Tester
• Pendulum Rebound Resilience Tester
• Ball Rebound Tester

With these systems, laboratories can perform both standardized high-energy fracture tests and resilience checks under different conditions. Together, they provide a complete toolkit for studying material response to impact and dynamic stress.

Applicable standards:

• ASTM E23 – Standard test methods for notched bar impact testing of plastics and metals
• ISO 179 – Plastics, determination of Charpy impact properties
• ISO 180 – Plastics, determination of Izod impact strength
• ASTM D6110 – Determining the Charpy impact resistance of plastics
• ASTM D256 – Determining the Izod impact resistance of plastics
• EN 10045-1 – European standard for Charpy impact testing

Hardness Testing Systems

Hardness is one of the key indicators when working with plastics, rubbers, foams, and similar materials. It shows how resistant a sample is to indentation and helps evaluate durability and expected performance in use. Depending on the application, testing can be carried out with automatic systems for high-volume labs, portable durometers for quick checks, or specialized machines for unique sample types.

Systems provided:

• Automatic Shore, IRHD and VLRH Hardness Testing System
• Advanced Portable Shore Durometer System with Test Stand Options (HPEIII)
• Classic Analogue Shore Durometer with Test Stand Options
• HDA 120 – Hardness and Density Automation Test System
• Automatic Capsule and Soft Gel Hardness Tester (Gelomat)
• Fruit Firmness Tester
• Pusey & Jones Tester

With this range, users can cover both routine quality control and more specific testing needs. Shore and IRHD systems allow evaluation across the full hardness scale, automated units reduce operator influence, and devices such as Gelomat or the Pusey & Jones Tester serve specialized industries. Together, they provide a complete set of options for hardness and density checks in plastics and related materials.

Key standards referenced:

• ASTM D2240 – Rubber property, durometer hardness
• ISO 868 – Plastics and ebonite, indentation hardness by durometer
• ISO 7619-1 – Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic, indentation hardness
• ISO 48 – Rubber, determination of hardness (IRHD method)
• ASTM D1415 – Rubber property, International Hardness (IRHD)

Tear Strength Testers

Tear strength is an important property for thin plastic films, textiles, and similar sheet materials. It shows how well a material resists the spread of a cut or small defect once it has started. Consistent tear strength data helps predict how plastics will perform in packaging, protective layers, or technical applications where durability matters.

Products in this category:

• GenElm Series Elmendorf Tearing Tester – 64N and 128N Models
• High Energy Elmendorf

Both Elmendorf models provide controlled and repeatable measurements of tearing resistance. The GenElm Series covers standard testing needs, while the High Energy version supports samples requiring higher capacity. Together, they give laboratories a flexible choice depending on the thickness and toughness of the material being studied.

Industry standards covered:

• ASTM D1922 – Propagation tear resistance of plastic film and thin sheeting
• ISO 6383-1 – Tear resistance of plastic film and sheeting, trouser tear method
• ISO 6383-2 – Tear resistance of plastic film and sheeting, Elmendorf method
• ASTM D689 – Tear strength of paper (Elmendorf method)
• DIN 53363 – Determination of tear resistance using Elmendorf method

Melt Flow Testers

Melt flow testing measures how a thermoplastic polymer behaves when heated and forced through a narrow die under controlled conditions. It helps determine viscosity, processability, and consistency of materials used in injection molding, extrusion, and other forming processes. This test is one of the fastest ways to compare different polymer batches and confirm that production material meets specification.

The Melt Flow Indexer (MFR/MVR) from NextGen provides precise control of temperature and load while recording flow rate in grams or cubic centimeters per minute. With simple operation and reliable measurement, it supports both quality control in production and more advanced research tasks.

Standards often applied:

• ASTM D1238 – Melt flow rates of thermoplastic polymers
• ISO 1133-1 – Determination of melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR)
• ISO 1133-2 – Requirements for materials sensitive to degradation
• JIS K7210 – Melt flow testing of plastics
• EN ISO 1133 – European method for melt flow measurements

Environmental Simulation Systems

Environmental testing chambers make it possible to expose plastics to controlled temperature and humidity conditions that mirror real-life scenarios such as storage, transport, or daily use. These tests are important for identifying how materials respond to stress over time, including deformation, brittleness, or loss of performance.

The NextGen NG-EC Environmental Chambers (models 100, 150, 225, 408, and 1000) give users the flexibility to run both short-term and long-term studies. With multiple size options and precise settings, they support evaluations such as accelerated aging, stability checks, and performance verification under defined climates. This helps users confirm whether materials are suitable for their intended application before they reach the market.

Relevant standards include:

• ASTM D4332 – Conditioning of containers, packages, and packaging components
• ISO 2233 – Conditioning for transport testing of packages and unit loads
• ASTM D618 – Conditioning plastics before testing
• ISO 291 – Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing plastics
• IEC 60068-2 – Environmental testing, temperature and humidity methods

Plastic hardness testing machine with sample under indenter

Plastic Testing in Practice

Plastics are used in countless products, but their performance depends strongly on how they respond to different types of stress. A thin film reacts differently to stretching than a molded bumper does to an impact. Because of this, multiple testing approaches are needed to capture the full picture of a plastic’s behavior. Below is how these methods are applied and why they matter.

Industry Sectors

Plastics are part of nearly every sector, and each industry depends on tests to confirm that materials will perform as expected.

• Packaging. Films, bags, and containers must resist tearing and stretching when filled, sealed, and transported. Tensile and tear strength tests confirm that packaging materials will not fail during everyday handling.
• Automotive. Bumpers, interior trims, and dashboard elements face impacts and temperature changes. Impact and hardness tests help confirm that these parts maintain shape and function throughout their service life.
• Medical and Electronics. Small components such as caps, housings, and connectors require precise hardness and strength checks. These tests help prevent premature wear and confirm dimensional stability in demanding environments.
• Research and Education. Universities and R&D labs use plastic testing to compare new polymer formulations, verify production methods, and provide reliable reference data for innovation.

Sample Types

No single testing method can cover all plastic products, which is why laboratories prepare and test specimens in many different forms.

• Films and sheets. Thin, flexible materials are tested for tensile properties and tear strength. Standards such as ASTM D882 describe the proper methods for measuring elongation and breaking force in films.
• Profiles and molded parts. Rigid shapes are usually tested with universal testing machines or impact systems to measure strength, flexibility, and resistance to sudden loads.
• Rubbers and composites. These materials are often evaluated with hardness systems such as Shore or IRHD, combined with impact or rebound tests to capture their elasticity and durability.

Find the Plastic Testing Solution That Matches Your Needs

Selecting the right equipment often depends on the materials you work with and the properties you want to measure. Whether you are testing films for tear strength, molded parts for impact resistance, or polymers for flow behavior, our product range covers every stage of plastic evaluation. Systems such as the NG-EML Series, NG-ImpactFall, Elmendorf testers, Shore hardness machines, and NG-EC environmental chambers can be combined to give you a complete setup for quality control or research.

If you have defined requirements, or if you would like to confirm which configuration fits your laboratory or production workflow, our team can guide you. Feel free to contact us directly or request an online quote. Once we have your information, we will respond promptly, clarify options, and help you move forward with equipment that delivers the results you expect.