Why this test matters
The filler or reinforcement content of a thermoplastic or composite material directly determines its strength, stiffness, weight, and cost. When the actual filler content drifts from what's specified, whether from a supplier error, a process shift, or an unverified batch, your product's mechanical performance can fall short of what you designed for, often with no visible warning sign. The calcination test confirms exactly how much filler or reinforcement your material contains, so you know your components are built from the material you actually specified. This matters most for companies working with thermoplastics and composites in structural or load-bearing applications, and for anyone qualifying a new material supplier or checking a production batch against its data sheet.
How the test works
The test isolates the filler by burning away everything else. A sample is heated in a furnace under a controlled temperature and duration, until the polymer matrix is fully burnt off and only the filler material, such as glass fiber or mineral filler, remains. We weigh the sample before and after calcination to calculate exactly what percentage of the original material was filler versus matrix, and the residue is examined to confirm the type of filler present. Key parameters are the calcination temperature, holding time, and atmosphere, set high enough to fully combust the polymer without degrading the filler itself, in a single heating cycle per sample.
What you learn from this test
You receive a precise percentage figure for the filler or reinforcement content of your material, calculated directly from the mass lost during calcination, along with confirmation of the filler type. This lets you verify that incoming material matches its technical data sheet, check consistency across production batches, or confirm the composition of a supplier's or competitor's product. Because filler content directly affects mechanical properties like stiffness and strength, this result gives you a reliable basis for material selection, supplier qualification, and quality control decisions, without needing to run a full mechanical test first.
