Mechanical tests (tubular impact, conical bending, slow stamping, abrasion, etc.)

Mechanical testing encompasses a set of tests designed to evaluate the behavior of materials when subjected to various mechanical stresses, such as impact, deformation, wear, or bending. These tests are essential tools for the qualification, development, and quality control of materials used in the packaging, materials, and polymer industries.

Mechanical testing verifies the mechanical strength of materials and finished objects under conditions close to their actual use. These tests are essential to ensure compliance with technical specifications, applicable standards, and functional requirements imposed by transport, storage, or usage conditions.

General principle of mechanical testing

Mechanical testing involves subjecting a material or object to controlled stress in order to observe its reaction, resistance, or failure mode. Depending on the test performed, the stress can be dynamic, such as during an impact, or quasi-static, such as during bending or slow stamping.

Each method is designed to reproduce a specific type of mechanical stress. The results obtained allow for the evaluation of material robustness, suitability for use, and durability under defined industrial or regulatory conditions.

Types of trials offered

The tubular impact test is used to evaluate the resistance of materials or hollow objects subjected to impact. It allows for the analysis of a package's or component's ability to absorb the energy of an impact without rupture or excessive deformation.

The conical bend test is used to evaluate the flexibility and resistance to progressive deformation of materials, including films, metal or plastic sheets, and coatings. It allows for the detection of cracks, fissures, or delamination.

Slow deep drawing involves subjecting a material to controlled and progressive deformation. This test is particularly used to characterize the formability of materials, their ductility, and their behavior under prolonged mechanical stress.

Abrasion tests are used to evaluate a material's resistance to wear from friction. They are essential for materials subjected to repeated stress, such as packaging, coatings, or functional surfaces.

Standards and reference frameworks

Mechanical tests are carried out according to recognized standards, such as ISO or ASTM standards, or according to specific protocols defined by manufacturers when the conditions of use are not covered by a standardized standard.

The choice of test protocol is determined based on the material, the end application, and regulatory or contractual requirements. The tests can be adapted to closely replicate the actual stresses experienced by the product.

Measured parameters

Depending on the test performed, the parameters measured may include the applied force, the absorbed energy, the deformation, the resistance to breakage, the depth or extent of the damage, as well as the evolution of the surface condition.

These results allow for an objective comparison between different materials, formulations or suppliers, and constitute a reliable basis for industrial decision-making.

Matrices and materials concerned

Mechanical testing applies to a wide variety of materials, including plastics, polymers, composite materials, metals, technical textiles, films and rigid or flexible packaging.

They can be carried out on standardized test specimens or on finished objects, depending on the objectives of the analysis and the constraints of use of the product.

Industrial applications

Mechanical testing is used at all stages of the materials lifecycle. It plays a role in new product development, formulation validation, supplier qualification, and quality control in production.

In the packaging sector, these tests make it possible to assess resistance to shocks and deformation during transport and handling. In materials and polymers, they contribute to the selection of materials suited to the specific mechanical constraints of each application.

They are also mobilized in investigative contexts in the event of failure, non-compliance or technical dispute.

Quality and compliance issues

Controlling mechanical properties is a key issue for ensuring the functionality, safety, and durability of products. Insufficient mechanical performance can lead to failures in use, regulatory non-compliance, or economic losses.

Mechanical testing makes it possible to document technical files, meet normative and contractual requirements and secure the placing on the market of materials and finished objects.

YesWeLab Expertise

YesWeLab relies on a rigorously selected network of partner laboratories with recognized expertise in mechanical testing. The majority of these laboratories are certified and/or accredited according to recognized standards such as ISO 17025 and COFRAC.

Each request is analyzed by the YesWeLab scientific team to determine the most relevant tests based on the material, application, and technical requirements. Through its digital platform, YesWeLab enables centralized test management, optimized sample tracking, and fast, secure access to analytical results.

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have trusted YesWeLab for their mechanical testing and the characterization of their materials.

Other analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

Mechanical tests can be complemented by other analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue to obtain a complete characterization of the materials.

Hardness tests allow measurement of local resistance to indentation and complement the overall mechanical evaluation.

Tensile, flexural and compression tests allow the fundamental mechanical properties of materials to be characterized.

Thermomechanical analyses , such as dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), allow the study of the behavior of polymers as a function of temperature and stresses.

Physico-chemical analyses of materials and polymers ( FTIR, DSC, TGA) make it possible to link mechanical performance to the composition and structure of materials.

For any quote request or to discuss your specific mechanical testing needs, contact the YesWeLab team now.