Interior/Exterior Material
What is Interior/Exterior Material Testing?
This testing evaluates the performance of interior and exterior materials used by not only domestic automobile brands such as Hyundai, KIA, GM Korea, Renault Korea, and KG Mobility but also global brands from Europe, the United States, and Japan. The testing is conducted using methods that reflect the diverse characteristics of automotive interior and exterior materials, including international standards, association standards, and client-specified testing methods.
Domestic Automobile Testing
| Mechanical Properties | Weight, thickness, specific gravity, density, hardness, tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, compressive modulus, burst strength, Izod, Charpy impact strength, drop test, rebound compression set, permanent compression set, absorption rate, sound absorption rate, tensile modulus, anti-static properties. |
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| Thermal Properties | DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), Ash content, MFR (Melt Flow Rate), MVR (Melt Volume Rate), HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature), Vicat. |
| Electrical Properties | Insulation strength, dielectric breakdown voltage, surface resistance, volume resistance, permittivity, Comparative Tracking Index (CTI). |
| Environmental Durability | Light resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, moisture resistance, cold resistance, hydrolysis resistance, heat cycle resistance, ozone resistance, water resistance, saltwater spray resistance, abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, contamination resistance, adhesion, pencil hardness, sunscreen resistance, flexural resistance, vibration resistance. |
| Heavy Metals and Hazardous Substances | Heavy metals, hazardous substances, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), odor, fogging. |
| Flammability | Heavy metals, hazardous substances, VOCs, odor, fogging. |
Overseas Automotive Testing
| ABREX Abrasion Test | This test evaluates the chemical contamination and mechanical wear characteristics caused by finger contact, utilizing an ergonomic design. It simulates real-world usage where vehicle parts come in contact with human skin, ensuring durability against wear and contamination. |
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| Stick-Slip Test | This test measures friction (squeak) and noise (stick) between different materials. It helps identify undesirable noise and friction characteristics, which are crucial for improving the quality and comfort of vehicle interiors and components. |
| Scratch Test | This test assesses the hardness of coating films by applying various loads (1N to 20N) using different materials such as discs or tungsten carbide. The test measures how well the coating resists scratches under different conditions, helping to ensure that vehicle exteriors maintain their aesthetic and functional integrity. |
| Chipping Resistance (Gravel Test) |
This test simulates the damage caused to the coating surface by gravel during vehicle driving. It evaluates how the paint layer is chipped off, revealing or damaging the underlying layer, to assess the durability of the paintwork in real-world conditions. |
| Scratch Test (Finger Model Jig Test) |
In this test, a jig with five finger-like structures is used to apply various loads vertically to the specimen. This simulates repeated human contact and evaluates the scratch resistance of the surface under varying pressure levels, which is essential for maintaining the appearance and functionality of vehicle components exposed to frequent handling. |
International Standards &Association Tests
| UL94 Vertical/Horizontal Flammability Test | This test evaluates the flammability performance of vehicle interior and exterior materials. After conducting vertical and horizontal combustion tests, materials are graded based on their ability to resist fire. |
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| DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) | This test involves heating and cooling the specimen and a reference material at a constant rate in a furnace. It measures the difference in heat flow (thermal energy) between the specimen and the reference material as a function of temperature, providing insights into thermal properties such as heat capacity and phase transitions. |
| TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) | TGA measures the change in the weight (mass) of a specimen as a function of temperature (or time) under controlled conditions. This test is used for qualitative analysis of polymer components by identifying their thermal degradation patterns and weight loss. |
| HDT/Vicat | HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature): This test measures the temperature at which a material deforms under a specific load. It provides information about the material's heat resistance.
Vicat: This test measures the temperature at which a needle penetrates 1mm into the specimen under a specific load, giving insights into the material’s heat resistance and softening point. |
| Charpy/Izod Impact Test | These tests measure a material's ability to absorb and distribute sudden impacts or loads without breaking. In the Charpy test, the specimen is placed horizontally, while in the Izod test, it is positioned vertically. These tests are crucial for assessing the toughness and impact resistance of materials used in automotive applications. |
Representative Tests by Characteristics
| Rotating Fatigue Testing Machine | This machine performs repeated fatigue testing that causes failure due to repetitive loading, as well as rotating fatigue testing that causes failure due to rotation. |
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| 3D Tolerance Measuring Machine | Measures the surface position of an object by using a probe that contacts the surface or employs optical sensors or laser sensors for non-contact measurement. |
| Dielectric Breakdown Tester | Applies high voltage (AC or DC), and when the threshold is exceeded, a sudden large discharge current flows through the dielectric material, causing damage or breakdown, which is measured. |
| Contact Angle Tester | Measures the contact angle, surface energy, and surface tension by precisely controlling the test piece and performing a one-drop test. |
| Metallic Galvanic Corrosion Tester | When two dissimilar metals are immersed in a solution and a potential difference occurs, it measures the galvanic corrosion (either active or passive) caused by the movement of electrons. |