The NSF Engineering Lab evaluates products and materials for material properties, performance and safety of the finished product. Specific testing services include:

Evaluation Services

  • Testing to highly-credible standards
  • Test method development
  • Protocol development
  • Witness testing at client facility
  • Failure analysis
  • Quality control procedures
  • Consulting

Material and Product Testing

  • Low and high temperature performance
  • Compostability
  • Performance and failure analysis
  • Structural integrity (packaging, etc.)
  • Tensile/compressive/flexural properties
  • Abrasion, corrosion and wear
  • UV and chlorine resistance
  • Hydraulic pressure, i.e. cyclic, burst, long-term sustained
  • Failure analysis
  • Material comparisons by type/supplier
  • Fatigue
  • Creep
  • Izod and charpy impact
  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
  • Chemical extraction
  • Surface and interfacial tension
  • Surface roughness
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Coatings abrasion and wear resistance
  • Viscosity
  • High heat distortion
  • Low temperature brittleness
  • Cleanability
  • Composition
  • Extensive polymer capabilities
  • Electrical and electrical safety
  • Recycled PET (rPET)

Flammability Tests

  • Testing to ASTM E84 and ULc S102.2 for material burning characteristics

Electrical Tests

  • Testing to UL and CSA standards for food equipment, swimming pools and spas
  • Conduit testing

Hydraulic Pressure Tests

  • Sustained long-term high pressure control (pipes and fittings)
  • Flows up to 1500 gpm
  • Plumbing up to 36" in diameter
  • Pressure testing up to 3,000 psi
  • Temperatures from 20°C–120°C
  • Cyclic pressure
  • Thermal cycling
  • Burst testing


For more information about the NSF Engineering lab, email physlab@nsf.org.

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