Polymer testing in Australia: compare laboratory scope, samples and reports

Compare Corex and ExcelPlas by the question your tests must answer: Corex lists specific identification, thermal and mechanical methods and the instruments it uses, while ExcelPlas gives more explicit sample, reporting and accreditation information. Their published detail differs, so confirm an equivalent scope before comparing quotations. [1][2]

Compare laboratory scope, samples and reports

Corex Plastics Lab

• Who runs it: Corex is a Melbourne plastics manufacturer, based in Dandenong, and the lab is one of its services. If you need an independent result, for example in a dispute with a supplier, ask about independence. [1]
• Published scope: Corex lists FTIR identification, DSC thermal analysis, and tensile, impact, puncture, crush, accelerated weathering and abrasion testing. Its listed equipment includes an Instron 5543 tensile machine, a Netzsch DSC 214 Polyma, a PerkinElmer Spectrum Two FTIR, Izod and Charpy impact testers, an instrumented impact tester, a QUV weathering unit and a Taber abrasion tester. [1]
• Sample requirements: Corex’s descriptions refer to standard or test specimens; ask it to confirm dimensions, preparation, conditioning and minimum specimen counts for your proposed work. [1]
• Reporting information: Corex does not describe its report format, so ask what you will receive. [1]

ExcelPlas

• Who runs it: ExcelPlas is a polymer testing laboratory in Highett, Victoria, and describes itself as fully NATA accredited, with a separate list of NATA-accredited tests. [2]
• Published scope: ExcelPlas lists product categories including polymer materials, packaging films, pipes, composites, coatings, cladding, geosynthetics, medical plastics, recycled materials and rubber/elastomers, and says it can test almost all solid synthetic products. These are application categories, not a method list; confirm the exact test required. [2]
• Sample requirements: ExcelPlas says quantity depends on testing requirements and samples should be representative and statistically significant. Its enquiry form asks for the required testing, a sample description and the number of samples. [2]
• Reporting information: ExcelPlas offers reports defined by the tested standards, comprehensive interpretative reports for investigations, and reports for legal applications compliant with the expert code of conduct. Specify the deliverable when enquiring. [2]

These differences in published detail do not establish analytical superiority or equivalent capabilities. Use them to identify what each laboratory needs to clarify for your part or batch. [1][2]

Choose identification, thermal or mechanical testing

Identifying a material, measuring its thermal behaviour and testing a mechanical property are separate tasks in Corex’s published scope. [1] Frame the enquiry around the decision you need to make rather than requesting a general “plastic test”.

What material is this?

Corex lists Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for identifying organic, polymeric and some inorganic materials, including compounded plastics, blends, fillers, coatings, resins and adhesives. [1] Ask whether FTIR suits your sample and what level of identification the laboratory expects it to support.

An enquiry could be: “Can you investigate what material this part contains and explain any limits on the identification?” Ask the laboratory to distinguish an identification result from any conclusion about commercial grade or suitability for use.

How does it behave thermally?

Corex separately lists Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which measures heat flow into or out of a sample against temperature. Corex says it can evaluate glass transition, melting, crystallisation, heat capacity, cure, purity, oxidation behaviour and thermal stability. [1]

Ask which measurement and conditions answer your question. Requesting “DSC” alone leaves the laboratory to clarify what evidence you need.

How does it respond to mechanical testing or weathering?

Match the requested property to the published test scope:

• Tensile: Corex lists tensile testing for response to mechanical force, including batch checks against tensile specifications. [1]
• Izod or Charpy impact: measures energy absorbed up to specimen break. [1]
• Instrumented impact/puncture: can measure energy, load and deformation, including behaviour at yield and break. [1]
• Flat crush: addresses flute-board resistance to loading perpendicular to its surface. [1]
• Accelerated weathering: simulates harsh conditions in an environmental chamber to show changes such as colour change and cracking. [1]
• Taber abrasion: assesses changes in haze or weight after abrasion. [1]

A specification enquiry could be: “Can you perform the property test named in this specification under its stated conditions and compare the result with its acceptance requirement?”

Where identity and performance both matter, request separate, justified work items. Corex describes FTIR identification separately from thermal and mechanical testing; an identity result does not by itself identify a commercial grade or certify fitness for every use. [1]

Agree sample quantities, preparation and permitted damage

Agree how much material each work item needs before dispatch. ExcelPlas says quantity depends on the testing required, accepts samples of varying sizes in small or large quantities, and asks for representative, statistically significant samples. [2] Ask the laboratory to translate those expectations into a sampling plan for your batch.

Give explicit permission for specimen-altering work. Corex describes impact testing through to break, instrumented impact/puncture driving an element into the specimen, and abrasion testing that measures changes in haze or weight. [1] For FTIR, DSC and other proposed methods, ask what will be cut, prepared, altered or consumed rather than assuming the part will remain untouched.

Before sending material, agree:

• Quantity and geometry: How many specimens does each method need, in what dimensions, and are whole parts acceptable?
• Preparation: Who will cut or machine specimens, and what conditioning is needed before testing?
• Allocation: Which samples go to each method, which may be altered or consumed, and what material should remain untouched?
• Packaging and labelling: How should samples be packed, identified and accompanied by handling instructions?
• Retention and return: What material will be retained, for how long, and what will be returned or disposed of?

For traceability, propose a sample list recording the part identifier, batch identifier, sample identifier, selection location and any comparison or reference sample. Ask how those identifiers will follow the material through preparation and testing. These are instructions to agree, not published laboratory requirements.

If the intended decision needs chain-of-custody controls, agree them explicitly. For a single irreplaceable part, request a staged plan with an approval hold point before additional specimen-altering work; treat this as a safeguard to negotiate, not a promised service.

Request comparable quotes and a completion date

Send both laboratories the same problem statement, proposed tests, sample description, quantities and report purpose. Ask each to separate requested work from additional testing it recommends, so you can compare equivalent scopes.

ExcelPlas: Cost depends largely on sample quantities and selected tests. It says its team will respond to a quote request within 48 hours, which is a response time, not a test-completion promise. Testing turnaround depends on requirements, sample quantities and reporting complexity; optional priority service is available for time-critical projects. [2]

Corex: Submit the enquiry through its contact form, selecting “Corex Lab” in the “Let us know what you are interested in?” dropdown. [1]

Ask for an itemised quotation, with each item marked as included, separately priced or not applicable:

• Each test, the quantity to be tested and its price.
• Specimen preparation or machining and conditioning.
• Interpretation and reporting.
• Freight and applicable taxes.
• Any priority-service charge and the basis for charging retests.

These are requested quote fields, not confirmed charges. Obtain written commercial terms alongside the scope rather than assuming a standard arrangement.

Tie the completion date to a defined starting point. Ask whether timing begins at order approval, sample receipt or acceptance of suitable specimens. Have the laboratory identify dependencies, such as preparation or clarification of instructions, and state whether the date covers the final report rather than testing alone.

Require approval before extra work proceeds, and ask how changes to scope or quantity would affect the quoted total and completion date.

Verify methods and any required accreditation

Before approval, ask the laboratory to name the proposed method, applicable standard and edition, test conditions, any departures, and what the result will establish. Tie acceptance to your specification or intended use of the report, rather than an instrument list.

Corex lists AS 1301.429S-2017 for flat-crush testing of flute-board, and ASTM D1044 (haze) and ASTM D4060 (weight loss) for Taber abrasion. [1] Treat these as starting points for clarification: ask why the proposed method fits your specimen and which settings will apply.

If accreditation matters for your decision, check that the specific test is covered, not just the laboratory. ExcelPlas publishes a NATA accreditation document and a list of accredited tests; ask whether your requested method is on it and whether the report will carry NATA endorsement. [2] Corex’s page does not mention accreditation, so ask directly. [1]

Define the report before testing starts

Agree on the deliverable alongside the method. Specify whether you need measured results against a standard, an investigation explaining those results, or a report scoped for legal use; ExcelPlas offers all three types. [2]

Propose this report-acceptance checklist to either laboratory:

• Sample traceability: sample, part and batch identifiers, with condition received and preparation recorded.
• Method and conditions: the method or standard and edition used, conditioning, test conditions and deviations.
• Findings: results with units and relevant observations.
• Interpretation: explanations where commissioned, separated from measured findings.
• Limits: supported conclusions, unresolved questions and which samples the conclusions cover.

For a pass/fail decision, supply the applicable specification and ask whether the laboratory can assess against it. Agree acceptance criteria and conclusion wording rather than leaving an unidentified specification to be inferred.

Keep identification and performance distinct in that wording. Ask that an FTIR identification not be extended into a claim about commercial grade, suitability for every use or whole-batch conformity.

For legal use, ask ExcelPlas which expert code and report scope would apply to your matter; its listed legal-report option is not an assurance of suitability for every proceeding. [2]

What to confirm with each provider

The cited Corex and ExcelPlas pages do not state the following details; resolve those relevant to your order in writing. [1][2]

• Sample arrangements: numerical specimen minimums, dimensions, machining, conditioning, packaging, chain of custody, and return or disposal terms. [1][2]
• Price and commercial terms: testing prices, minimum orders, cancellation and refund terms, and the treatment of preparation, freight, taxes, priority service and retests. [1][2]
• Completion commitment: a fixed testing deadline from either laboratory, and an enquiry-response time from Corex. [1][2]
• Accreditation scope: whether your specific tests are NATA accredited at ExcelPlas, and whether Corex holds any accreditation. [1][2]

Approve a defined scope

Use a short commissioning brief to keep both proposals comparable:

• Decision required: the action the results will inform, such as acceptance, rejection or further investigation.
• Part or batch: material description, intended application, identifiers, observed concern and relevant specification.
• Available samples: quantities, dimensions, replacement availability and damage permissions.
• Proposed work: requested methods, or a request for justified recommendations.
• Deliverables: preparation, traceability, report content, interpretation and any accreditation requirement.
• Approval conditions: itemised price, agreed completion date, remaining-material instructions and written approval before extra work or charges.

Choose the laboratory whose written proposal answers your question within the available material and reporting requirements. Before authorising work, resolve any uncertainty about methods, specimens, permitted damage, quoted scope, timing or the final report.

References

1. Corex Plastics Lab — testing scope and equipment (corex.com.au)
2. ExcelPlas — tested products, sample enquiries and reporting (excelplas.com)