Total immersion tests

Total immersion testing involves submerging a material, coating, or finished product in a liquid (water, solvent, acid, base, or saline solution) for a specified period to evaluate its chemical resistance, stability, or migration of substances. This method replicates the real-world exposure conditions to which the material may be subjected during use or storage.

The objective of this test is to determine whether the material retains its mechanical and chemical properties after prolonged immersion, and whether it is suitable for use in contact with water, food or other liquid media.

Principle and test method

The total immersion test is a mechanical and physicochemical test . The sample is immersed in a liquid chosen according to the nature of the material and the intended application (distilled water, organic solvent, acidic or basic solution).
The experimental conditions (temperature, duration, agitation) are adapted to the standard or the customer's specifications. After immersion, several parameters are measured:

• Mass variation (gain or loss after drying);
• Dimensional changes (swelling, shrinkage);
• Alteration of color, shine, or texture ;
• Evolution of mechanical properties (modulus, breaking strength, rigidity);
• Possible migration of substances into the immersion liquid.

This test is often combined with other performance analyses to assess the durability of a material in demanding environments.

For further analysis, also check out the global and specific migration test , the accelerated aging test , or the chemical resistance analysis .

Industrial applications

Total immersion testing is used in many sectors:

• Food and pharmaceutical packaging : evaluation of the behavior of plastics, varnishes and glues in contact with water, oils or acidic solutions.
• Materials and polymers : measurement of the resistance of plastics, elastomers, composites or coatings to moisture absorption or chemical agents.
• Textile industry and technical coatings : testing the resistance of finishes, pigments, varnishes or surface treatments under prolonged immersion.
• Environmental applications : evaluation of the stability of biodegradable or recycled materials in contact with water or effluents.
• Construction and engineering : monitoring the durability of joints, sealants, insulation and structural polymers subjected to moisture.

The results obtained make it possible to predict the lifespan of the material , its compatibility with the intended use and its regulatory compliance .

Analytical interest and complementarity

This test can be supplemented by other tests for a complete characterization of the material's behavior:

• Tensile test to measure mechanical performance after immersion;
• TGA analysis to study thermal stability;
• FTIR infrared spectroscopy to identify possible chemical changes;
• Flexural test to evaluate the stiffness of the material after exposure to a liquid;
• Extraction tests to detect substances released during immersion.

These complementary approaches allow for a detailed understanding of the material's behavior under real-world usage conditions.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab provides you with a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC , specializing in mechanical and physicochemical analyses. Our experts assist you in defining the test protocol, selecting the immersion liquid, determining the exposure time, and interpreting the results according to current standards.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples, and view your reports online. Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting manufacturers in the packaging, materials, and polymer sectors with their resistance, migration, and compliance testing.

For any specific request or quote, contact our scientific team today.