PTS Testing Service offers a complete range of mechanical testing services. Additionally, a well-equipped in-house machine shop provides timely preparation of test specimens or any special fixturing. Besides the regularly conducted tensile, hardness, impact, load, pressure and fatigue tests, our experienced test engineers can also help you design custom testing programs to evaluate your products. Tests are performed using tools, machines, fixtures, and processes that evaluate the performance of products by simulating real life conditions. Whether it is life cycle testing of playground slides or performance testing of automotive steering pumps, PTS Testing Service has the experience and capabilities to satisfy your needs.

Tensile Testing 
The Tensile Testing Lab at PTS Testing Service offers a wide range of tensile analysis capabilities for our clients. Our technicians employ methods that can determine samples’ mechanical performance characteristics, giving clients a better understanding of their materials’ quality and strength. Technically advanced machines are utilized to accurately measure force, elongation and reduction of area.
The PTS Testing Service Tensile Testing Lab is Committed to Quality
Our laboratories are accredited to ISO 17025 by the in multiple disciplines including mechanical testing, chemical analysis, equipment calibration, and nondestructive testing. It is the policy of PTS Testing Service to provide clients with the highest quality of services by delivering clear and accurate test results in accordance with applicable standards and specifications. Our engaged employees are customer-friendly and qualified allowing them to deliver services in a timely manner.
Advanced Equipment
Mechanical Testing Lab — Maximum force capacity is 400,000 lbs and offers testing including at elevated temperatures up to 1800°F
Polymers Testing Lab — Maximum force capacity is 10,000 lbs and offers testing including reduced and elevated temperatures ranging from -70 °C to 250°C (-19°F to 482°F).
Uniaxial Machines
Our tensile testing lab regularly performs this mechanical method on clients’ sample materials. We most often receive testing specimens of the following material and product types:
Metals
Plastics
Rubbers
Composites
Fasteners
Metal Wires
Piping
Welds
Popular Tensile Testing Standards
PTS Testing Service mechanical testing division performs this method in accordance with the following standards. Our lab is ISO 17025 accredited to perform tensile testing according to relevant standards as noted below:
ASTM A370 — Standard Test Mehtods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM B557 — Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing Wrought and Cast Aluminum- and Magnesium-Alloy Products
ASTM C633 — Standard Test Method for Adhesion or Cohesion Strength of Thermal Spray Coatings
ASTM C297/C297M — Standard Test Method for Flatwise Tensile Strength of Sandwich Constructions
ASTM D3039/D3909M — Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
ASTM D412 — Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers — Tension
ASTM D5766 — Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Tensile Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates
ASTM D638 — Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
ASTM D6742/D6742M — Standard Practice for Filled Hole Tension and Compression Testing of polymer Matrix Composite Laminates
ASTM D882 — Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
ASTM E8/E8M — Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
ASTM E21 — Standard Test Methods for Elevated Temperature Tension Tests of Metallic Materials
ASTM E345 — Standard Test Methods of Tension Testing of Metallic Foil
ASTM F606/F606M — Standard Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Properties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners, Washers, Direct Tension Indicators and Rivets
ASTM F1147 — Standard Test Method for Tension Testing of Calcium Phosphate and Metallic Coating
ISO 527 — Plastics — Determination of Tensile Properties
ISO 6892-1 — Metallic Materials – Tensile Testing — Part 1: Room Temperature
ISO 6892-2 — Metallic Materials – Tensile Testing — Part 2: Elevated Temperature
ISO 37 — Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic — Determination of Tensile Stress-Strain Properties
JIS Z 2201 — Japanese Standard for Tensile Test for Metallic Materials
JIS Z 2241 — Japanese Standard for Tensile Test for Metallic Materials at Room Temperature
MIL-STD-1312-8 — Fastener Pull-Through Strength Test Method
NASM 1312-8 — Fastener Test Methods, Tensile Strength
SAE J429 — Automotive Standard for Tensile Strength in Fasteners
SAE J995 — Automotive Standard for Tensile Strength in Nuts and Bolts

Why Test Polymers?
A manufacturer may need to have polymer testing performed on their product for any variety of reasons: preventative maintenance, failure analysis, material identification, quality control, safety performance, regulation compliance, etc. Clients in need of insight on these sorts of challenges submit samples of their product to testing providers who specialize in analyzing their material — such as PTS Testing Service polymer labs.
PTS Testing Service stands at the forefront of polymer labs because we offer a comprehensive array of methods and services. Our polymer laboratories perform a litany of tests to establish mechanical, thermal, and chemical characteristics of your test samples. We are ISO 17025 accredited to perform nearly two dozen methods of polymer-related testing to their internationally recognized standards. The following table reflects our polymer testing capabilities, performed in accordance with applicable standards.
Polymer Labs Testing Capabilities
Method Standard
Failure Analysis of Plastics
ATS Proc. 931
ASM HBK Vol.11
A2LA Accredited
Tensile Strength of Polymers
ASTM D412
ASTM D638
ISO 527-1
DIN 53504
A2LA Accredited
Flexural Strength
ASTM D790
ISO 178
A2LA Accredited
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
ASTM D5023
ASTM D5026
ASTM D5418
ASTM D4065
ASTM E1640
A2LA Accredited
Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
ASTM E1545
ASTM E831
A2LA Accredited
Durometer Hardness
DIN 53505
ASTM D2240
A2LA Accredited
Flammability
UL 94
A2LA Accredited
Compression Set for Durability and Elasticity
ASTM D395
A2LA Accredited
Compressive Strength
ASTM D695
A2LA Accredited
Izod Impact
ASTM D256
ISO 180
A2LA Accredited
Charpy Impact
ASTM D6110
ISO 179
Coating Impact
ASTM D2794
ISO 6272-1
A2LA Accredited
Heat Deflection Temperature Under a Load (DTUL)
ASTM D648
ISO 75-1
A2LA Accredited
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (via TMA)
ASTM E1545
ASTM E831
A2LA Accredited
Heat Aging and Thermal Stability
Various Standards
Accelerated Weathering (UV Degradation)
ASTM G154
ISO 11507
A2LA Accredited
Dielectric Strength / Breakdown
MIL-STD-202G Method 301
ASTM D149
IEC 60243
A2LA Accredited
Glass Transition, Melting Point, Crystallinity, Heat Capacity (via DSC)
ASTM D3418
ASTM E1356
ASTM E793
ASTM E794
A2LA Accredited
Specular Gloss
ASTM D523
ISO 2813
A2LA Accredited
Color Testing
ASTM D2244
ISO 7724
A2LA Accredited
Filler Content, Dehydration / Desolvation, and Decomposition Analysis (via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA))
ASTM E1131
ASTM E1641
ASTM E1868
A2LA Accredited
Polymer Identification (via FTIR)
ASTM E1252
A2LA Accredited
Inherent / Intrinsic Viscosity
ASTM D2857
ASTM D789
ASTM D1243
ASTM D1601
ASTM D4603
ASTM D3591
ISO 307:2007

Importance of Polymer Analysis
Manufacturers test the polymers they use in their products for any variety of reasons. Whether testing is needed to address a quality control concern, ensure regulation compliance, promote safety performance, conduct preventative maintenance, carry out a failure analysis, or determine the material’s identity, PTS Testing Service polymer laboratories can supply clients with the insight they need to achieve these goals.
PTS Testing Service is ISO 17025 accredited to perform more than twenty polymer-related testing methods to nearly four dozen widely recognized industry standards. Our polymer laboratories employ veteran chemists, engineers and technicians, who return accurate findings quickly because of their familiarity with performing relevant methods of polymer analysis. They utilize a wide variety of polymer testing methods to discern the chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of sample materials. The following table reflects the polymer-related test methods that PTS performs to their internationally recognized standards:
Polymer Laboratories Testing Capabilities
Method Standard
Accelerated Weathering (UV Degradation)
ASTM G154
ISO 11507
A2LA Accredited
Charpy Impact
ASTM D6110
ISO 179
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (via TMA)
ASTM E831
A2LA Accredited
Color Testing
ASTM D2244
ISO 7724
A2LA Accredited
Compression Set for Durability and Elasticity
ASTM D395
A2LA Accredited
Compressive Strength
ASTM D695
A2LA Accredited
Dielectric Strength / Breakdown
MIL-STD-202G Method 301
ASTM D149
IEC 60243
A2LA Accredited
Durometer Hardness
ASTM D2240
DIN 53505
A2LA Accredited
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
ASTM D5023
ASTM D5026
ASTM D5418
ASTM D4065
ASTM E1640
A2LA Accredited
Failure Analysis of Plastics
ATS Proc. 931
ASM HBK Vol.11
A2LA Accredited
Filler Content, Dehydration / Desolvation, and Decomposition Analysis (via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA))
ASTM E1131
ASTM E1641
ASTM E1868
A2LA Accredited
Flammability
UL 94
A2LA Accredited
Flexural Strength
ASTM D790
ISO 178
A2LA Accredited
Glass Transition, Melting Point, Crystallinity, Heat Capacity (via DSC)
ASTM D3418
ASTM E1356
ASTM E793
ASTM E794
A2LA Accredited
Heat Aging and Thermal Stability
Various Standards
Heat Deflection Temperature Under a Load (DTUL)
ASTM D648
ISO 75-1
A2LA Accredited
Inherent / Intrinsic Viscosity
ASTM D2857
ASTM D789
ASTM D1243
ASTM D1601
ASTM D4603
ASTM D3591
ISO 307:2007
Izod Impact
ASTM D256
ISO 180
A2LA Accredited
Melt Flow Rate
ASTM D1238
A2LA Accredited
Polymer Identification (via FTIR)
ASTM E1252
A2LA Accredited
Specular Gloss
ASTM D523
ISO 2813
A2LA Accredited
Tensile Strength of Polymers
ASTM D412
ASTM D638
ISO 527-1
DIN 53504
A2LA Accredited
Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
ASTM E1545
ASTM E831
A2LA Accredited
Coating Impact
ASTM D2794
ISO 6272-1

Importance of Plastic Testing
Plastics have a multitude of characteristics — physical, chemical, and thermal — that vary according to their composition. These specific traits make one plastic a more attractive design material than another, depending on how the manufacturer intends the product to be used. Manufacturers need to positively verify those performance characteristics for any variety of reasons, be it quality control or failure analysis, to establish whether that plastic component will perform its function satisfactorily. When they need to confirm or discover those qualities, manufacturers send their samples to a plastic testing lab like Applied Technical Services to get the answers they need.
PTS Testing Service is a respected polymer testing provider. Chemists, engineers, and technicians in our plastic testing lab regularly use a variety of analytical methods to verify and measure the unique performance characteristics of clients’ sample materials. PTS Testing Service employs an assortment of tests to determine those important properties in plastics. The following table reflects the methods we perform to their relevant, internationally recognized standards:
Plastic Testing Lab Capabilities
Method Standard
Charpy Impact
ASTM D6110
ISO 179
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
ASTM D5023
ASTM D5026
ASTM D5418
ASTM D4065
ASTM E1640
A2LA Accredited
Flammability
UL 94
A2LA Accredited
Flexural Strength
ASTM D790
ISO 178
A2LA Accredited
Glass Transition, Melting Point, Crystallinity, Heat Capacity (via DSC)
ASTM D3418
ASTM E1356
ASTM E793
ASTM E794
A2LA Accredited
Heat Deflection Temperature Under Load (DTUL)
ASTM D648
ISO 75-1
A2LA Accredited
Izod Impact
ASTM D256
ISO 180
A2LA Accredited
Melt Flow Rate
ASTM D1238
A2LA Accredited
Tensile Strength of Polymers
ASTM D412
ASTM D638
ISO 527-1
DIN 53504

FATIGUE TESTING
Fatigue testing is a vital component for measuring the strength and long-term performance of products. The PTS Testing Service team of experienced engineers are also capable of designing customized fatigue tests to ensure that the product (or material) will meet the performance requirements needed for real-world conditions. These tests are designed to meet either the applicable ASTM standards or specific client requirements, and to provide fully customized life cycle testing for a multitude of industries. The stresses, loading frequencies, and environmental conditions are evaluated, measured, and analyzed throughout these rigorous tests. Additionally, the S-N curve, or the stress vs. cycles to failure curve, can be generated to provide accurate insights into the potential for real-world failures.
Avoid Fatigue Failure in Mission-Critical Products
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is used to describe the technologies that build 3D objects by adding layer-upon-layer of material, whether the material is plastic or metal. Common to AM technologies is the use of a computer, 3D modeling software (Computer Aided Design or CAD), AM equipment and layering material. Once a CAD sketch is produced, the AM equipment reads in data from the CAD file and lays downs or adds successive layers of material to fabricate a 3D object. AM application is limitless. Early use of AM in the form of Rapid Prototyping focused on preproduction visualization models. More recently, additive manufacturing is used to create mission-critical products within the aerospace, medical, transportation, and automotive industries. Therefore, testing is crucial to verify their performance. The types of materials and components tested will vary depending on the industry. As such, PTS Testing Service has the capability to conduct thorough fatigue testing on metals, alloys, plastics, polymers, pipes, tubing, medical devices, fasteners, as well as other industrial components. PTS Testing Service can provide data to help clients avoid the following types of fatigue-related failures:
Mechanical
Thermo Mechanical
Corrosion
Fretting
PTS Testing Service Best Practice Fatigue Testing Methods
PTS Testing Service engineers are aware that each product, material, or specimen brought into the lab will have a certain level of articulation in service. Depending on the complexity of articulation, as well as other factors, PTS Testing Service designs customized test programs and fabricates the required fixtures for specific fatigue testing scenarios. Through best practice testing methods, PTS Testing Service is able to also test for fracture toughness, Crack-Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD), and high-temperature tensile properties.
PTS Testing Service Machine Capabilities Include:
Load Capacity: 2 lbs. to 55,000 lbs.
Temperature Range: Ambient to 1000 degrees Celsius
Fracture Toughness
Fracture toughness tests are typically completed within the design stage. These tests are built to determine the exact amount of stress needed to propagate an existing defect (or flaw) within the specific material.
Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD)
CTOD is a type of fracture toughness test. It is used to measure if a material can be used during particularly strenuous working conditions. Specifically, CTOD testing measures plastic deformation at the crack tip, as it appears during stable tearing. It is important to note that this type of test is often used on materials that have high toughness levels, but don’t produce valid KIC with the ASTM E399 standards.
ASTM Specification Capabilites
ASTM E466- Fatigue testing of Metallic Materials
ASTM E399- Linear-Elastic Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness (KIC) of Metallic Materials
ASTM E1290- Crack-Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) Fracture Toughness Measurement
ASTM E606- Strain-Controlled Fatigue Testing
ASTM E1820- Measurement of Fracture Toughness (JIC-CTOD Measurement)
Learn More About PTS Testing Service 
PTS Testing Service has a of fatigue tests for clients across a multitude of industries. Fatigue tests, combined with other complementary services such as additive manufacturing testing, cleanliness testing, chemical analysis, non-destructive testing, as well as metallurgy and materials testing are designed to provide the data and accurate insights clients need to produce high-quality products. The PTS Testing Service team of experts is proud to operate a high-quality testing and investigation facility that serves the unique needs of both domestic and international clients.
Exceeding Client Expectations with the PTS Testing Service Quality Assurance Programs
All PTS Testing Service team members adhere to the PTS Testing Service Quality System, which is compliant with ISO 17025 standards. Additionally,and follow recognized global industry standards and specifications, such as ASTM. The entire PTS Testing Service team is dedicated to delivering results on time, ensuring that all data is clear and accurate, and exceeding client expectations.