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LABORATORY TESTING
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The stringent specifications followed by Interplast in pipe production are
certified in its state-of-the-art laboratories with tests specified by European
standards EN ISO 15874, 15875, 15876 and ISO 4437, German DIN 8077, 8078, 16892,
16893, 8075, 16833, 16894, 16968, 1988 and Spanish UNE EN ISO and the United
States ASTM standards. The laboratory distributes pipes and fittings that
have been quality tested in the following ways:
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This is a fixed test that is carried out each time raw materials are received and a product manufactured. The flow index of the raw materials is very important in defining the temperature profile of the EXTRUDER and thus the homogenization of the material. Its small deviation from the flow index of the corresponding product proves the correct processing of the material.
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These are checks that certify ongoing measurements carried out throughout production.
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Products are tested as a system in extreme operating conditions for 5000 hours. Water temperature is alternated every 15 minutes between 20°C and 95°C (consecutive thermal shocks), while hydraulic pressure is continuously at 10 bar.
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The pipes produced are checked for their cross-linking percentage which should be at least 65%.
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Specimens from each production lot are kept in the laboratory stove at specific temperatures and for a specific length of time. The results should not exceed 2% in compliance with DIN, UNE, EN and ASTM standards.
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This is one of the most important checks because it proves the correct processing of the raw material. All the pipes display the best possible homogenisation proving their long service life.
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remaining for 1 hour at 20° C and 95° C, 22, 165 and 1000 hours at 95°C and 8760 hours at 110°C, as specified by European, German and Spanish standards. The 1-hour tests are performed on each batch of finished product, the 22 and 165-hour tests are performed every 2 weeks and the 1000-hour and 8760-hour tests once per year for each cross section and type of pipe.
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in accordance with the requirements of DIN, UNE and EN standards which describe the test method. Pipes must respond without breaking or cracking at 0°C temperatures.
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Tensile strength tests are performed and the elasticity and elongation factor of the material is determined, in pipe and fitting specimens appropriately prepared in a special instrument. All results are recorded on a computer, where the measurements are then analyzed with the help of special diagrams.
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Pipes are often are damaged by external factors. The pipe’s resistance to this test ensures that the cracking will not spread during operation under pressure, assuring reliability over time.
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All material batches that enter the ELVIOM plant undergo random hardness tests (resistance of material to exercised force). For most incoming materials, the raw material supplier must provide a specific hardness value, either because this is required by international standards, or because it is necessary for avoiding cracking during processing.
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The structure of alloys is microscopically examined. We can see the borders of the granules of the microstructure and the alloy phases (a+b brass phase). It is important to examine the microstructure of an alloy because it is related to the proportion of its components, its properties and the alloy’s behavior in general.
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When materials (raw materials) are delivered to ELVIOM a random alloy identification test is performed by means of a mass spectrograph. The test reports of the chemical analysis show the ratios of the individual components of the alloys, which should follow European standards ΕΝ 12164, ΕΝ 12165, ΕΝ 12167 and ΕΝ 12168.
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Random tests by means of a dynamometer are performed during production of the manufactured fittings. The resistance of fittings to torsional stress is determined, and traceability procedures help collect information on the resistance of the production lot. Dynamometer testing is mentioned in international standards for the manufacture of fittings.
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