In the rubber, plastic, and masterbatch industries, quality control and product optimization rely heavily on precise testing and measurement technologies. Appearance and color shade tests are essential for ensuring visual consistency and aesthetic appeal. BYK-Gardner offers a range of gloss testing devices in single, dual, and triple angle models to accurately determine gloss levels across various surfaces. Their portable and desktop spectrophotometers measure color hue and quantify color differences (ΔE*) with high precision. For transparent materials like plastic films, BYK provides instruments to assess clarity, haze, and light transmission. Additionally, light comparison cabinets with multiple light sources allow visual evaluation of color under different lighting conditions, helping manufacturers maintain consistency across production batches.
Beyond visual assessments, physical and mechanical tests are crucial for evaluating durability and performance. BYK supports these needs with dry abrasion testers (Taber), Shore hardness testers (A, C, D), and Barcol hardness testers. Environmental testing is also a key focus, with UV and Xenon resistance cabinets simulating sunlight, temperature, humidity, and water exposure to predict long-term material behavior. Their corrosion and salt spray chambers assess sample resilience under harsh conditions. Complementing these are common lab devices for adhesion, impact, scratch, bending, and thickness tests, as well as thermometers, scales, ovens, and flash point testers. BYK’s additives and instruments are tailored to enhance the mechanical and aesthetic properties of thermoplastics, PVC compounds, and plastisols, making them indispensable in optimizing production efficiency and final product quality.