Smithers Rapra expands Akron testing lab

Smithers Rapra has expanded its weathering exposure testing capabilities with the addition of a new xenon arc test chamber at its Akron, Ohio, laboratory. Headquartered in Akron, Smithers Rapra specializes in testing rubber, plastics and composites.

Xenon arc weathering characteristics and test protocols can be developed for many industrial and consumer products and materials to meet a variety of industry standards. The testing equipment simulates harsh outdoor conditions by exposing materials to full-spectrum sunlight and rain to test for material durability and final product performance.

Smithers Rapra’s new capability will allow for the evaluation of 3D specimens with varying types of light exposure and several post-weathering evaluations, including tensile, elongation, photography documentation and physical property changes or retention. Smithers Rapra also offers a variety of other environmental testing services such as humidity, fluid and chemical resistance, ozone, oxygen exposure and high/low temperature variations.

With laboratories in North America, Europe and China, Smithers Rapra offers testing and consulting services from raw material development, evaluation and material chemistry to final product performance and product durability testing in such industry sectors as automotive, tire, rubber and polymer products, aerospace, medical device and pharmaceuticals.