Material Compatibility Assessment

We analyse test item materials at both sample and product level to asses process compatibility

Our Team

Material Compatibility Testing

Disinfectants and cleaning agents applied to surfaces and products, in formats such as liquids, sprays, and vapours, have the potential of causing chemical damage as well as changes in the visual appearance and physical properties of the materials they come in contact with.

Through our Material Compatibility Testing service, we develop a custom testing plan that takes into consideration the mode of action and recommended use of your disinfectant product and/or technology, and as a result, we measure the effects of your products on a wide variety of materials, helping you to determine the damages that can happen over time.

Highly Accelerated Life-Cycle Testing (HALT)

1 Our Highly Accelerated Life-Cycle Testing (HALT) exposes the test item to repeated decontamination processes to simulate the typical lifetime exposure of the product.
As part of this testing, we closely monitor the environmental conditions, making sure they remain consistent throughout the duration of the test.

Disinfectants: Mode of Action

2 We developed in house methods that simulate the mode of action of a wide range of disinfectant products and technologies. As a result, we offer the following tests: Spray test, based on EN ISO 21530; Soak test, based on EN ISO 21530; Contact test, based on EN ISO 21530; Wipe test; Disinfection technology test: including but not limited to UV-C, Vaporised Hydrogen Peroxide, and Ozone.

Materials

3 We have extensive knowledge with regards to the materials most commonly exposed to disinfectant processes in healthcare and industrial settings, and as a result we will test the compatibility of disinfectants against the types of materials present in real life conditions. Some of the material categories of our test offering include: Polymers; Metals; Textiles; Leather; Laminates

Quantitative tests - TL mark

4 The chemical damage and changes in physical properties of the materials are measured by a range of tests listed below:
• Mass test as per TL 27:2022
• Colour test as per TL 11664-6:2022
• Opacity test as per TL 25:2022
• Whiteness test as per TL 24:2022
• Hardness test as per TL 23:2022

Qualitative tests - TL mark

5 We also test the effects of disinfectant products and technologies through a visual assessment. Tests performed to measure visual properties include:
• Visual appearance as per TL 22:2022
• Tactile test as per TL 23:2022

Other Test Categories

6 Results from these tests provide important qualitative and quantitative data for assessing potential product and/or surface damages at a visual, physical, and chemical level: Visual Test through Photographic Appearance under consistent lighting using our Colour Assessment Cabinet; Colour Test, based on BS EN ISO 11664-6:2016
Opacity Test; Whiteness Test; Coating Thickness Test; Hardness Test; Residue Test; Corrosion Test, based on ASTM G1-2003 and G3-1989; Dimensional Stability Test; Thickness Test; Disinfectant absorbance on materials; pH Test; Dimensional stability and thickness of gloves, based on EN 455

See our research & testing facilities

Microbiology Laboratory

We are fully equipped to perform a wide variety of microbiology tests using bacteria, yeast, fungi, and bacterial spores.

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Test chambers

We have built state of the art Test Chambers – all with a stainless steel interior and equipped with a wide range of sensors.

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Chemistry Laboratory

Our chemistry lab is fully equipped to perform a wide variety of tests, that supports formulation and materials development.

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Strong foundations are built with robust Quality Management Systems

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Insight June 17th 2022

Material Compatibility Assessment