STR, a leading provider of regulatory and testing services for the plastics and rubber industries, offers a portfolio of services that includes development and testing, product safety, performance testing, quality assurance, consulting, and diverse analytical chemistry services. Our company has over 40 years of experience working with international regulatory agencies, and is widely recognized for the following core competencies:
We are designated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as both a UL Certificated Administrative and Engineering Agency, and we can offer clients in-depth technical assistance in obtaining recognition of their products and materials. Our experienced staff can facilitate the overall recognition process by efficiently coordinating all aspects of the submittal process.
With on-site molding and specimen machining capabilities, clients need only submit materials in their furnished form. STR can prepare the required specimens, perform the testing, and handle the administrative aspects of the submittal to UL. Primary standards handled include UL 94 Flammability, UL 746B Relative Thermal Index and UL 1446 Insulation Systems Programs.
STR provides invaluable engineering services to clients in the process of evaluating current products or developing new materials. We can also help companies keep new product development costs down by screening materials to ensure they will meet UL or other required standards – before submitting to the regulatory agency.
The RoHS Directive and other Regulations on Restricted Substances
As of July 1, 2006, all companies exporting electrical and electronic products to the European market have been required to comply with the RoHS Directive, which restricts the use of hazardous substances in these products. STR offers compliance solutions through testing, technical consulting and support services. Supported by a global laboratory network, STR is positioned to address regulatory and environmental issues on a worldwide basis.
STR is also a partner with UL in supporting their Restricted Substances Compliance Solutions (RSCS) Program, the same as we have done in the UL safety certification arena.
Electrical Testing
STR provides electrical engineering consulting and testing services to clients developing new materials, evaluating current products, or seeking regulatory recognition.
Our services include:
- General Electrical Tests – These tests are typically performed on plastics and films and include volume resistivity, surface resistivity, temperature-humidity stress screening, dielectric strength, dielectric constant and dissipation factor.
- UL 1446 Insulation Systems – These programs cover material compatibility testing for high temperature motors, transformers and bobbins. Typically involving a nine-month to one-year period, the requirements include: aging samples at three temperatures, conditioning and performing electrical breakdown tests. Sealed tubes, magnet wire and varnish test services are also offered.
- Regulatory Submittals – We help clients worldwide obtain product listing and component recognition through UL and other regulatory agencies. Typical components handled are printed wiring boards, terminal blocks, switches, tubing, appliance wiring and insulating tapes.
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Physical Testing
STR provides plastics engineering and physical testing services to the plastics industry - from small companies to Fortune 500 firms. Our fully equipped lab can perform general property appraisal and competitive analyses of industrial raw materials and finished products. Our test programs are designed to industry (ASTM, ANSI, ISO, UL, etc.)and client specific protocols and targeted application objectives. STR is also active in the development of industry standards and can offer in-depth technical support not only on compliance with current standards, but also on future changes to those standards.
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Analytical Testing
STR has analytical chemistry capabilities that cover a wide range of instrumental and classical wet chemistry techniques. our services are focused on finding solutions to problems within the field of material science with emphasis on polymeric materials.
Operating under cGMP, STR has been registered by the FDA based on its core competency for analytical testing. Testing can be done for each client’s individual product development needs in the context of a mutually developed plan, or according to appropriate industry standards.
Our analytical capabilities include:
- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) equipped with a Vapor Generation Accessory
- Colorimeter and Glossmeter analyses
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Gas Chromatography (GC)
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Karl Fisher Automatic Titration equipped with a furnace for both liquid and solid applications
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) & Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
- UV/Visible Spectrophotometry
- ASTM compliance testing
- Identification and quantification of organic and inorganic compounds
- Instrumental and classical wet-chemistry techniques
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