Automotive Services

We operate under ISO17025 accredited product test laboratory at our european headquarters in Shawbury, where we specialise in material & product testing services for the automotive industry.

Our customers are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's), Tier 1 & 2 system & component suppliers, & materials producers. Smithers Rapra support key suppliers in the supply chains to many of the leading European car manufacturers.

Services available to the Automotive Sector include:

A wide range of performance evaluations on virgin & recycled plastics, rubbers, sealants & surface coatings. Our service offering covers abrasion resistance to UV & light, odour, chemical, fogging & general physical properties.

Product performance evaluation services are as equally wide & diverse:

Interior - hard & soft trim, functional components including switches, glove & cubby boxes, vents, cupholders, etc. door panels, centre consoles, instrument panels & seating.

Exterior - bumpers, grilles, finishers, lighting, weather-strip, spoilers, rubbing strips, door seals etc.

Under bonnet - coolant & intercooler hose, thermostat housings, plastic manifolds, seals & gaskets, dipsticks, undertrays, diffusers & mud shields, mounts.

Suspension & Handling - tyres, airsprings, brake hose, resilient mounts & bump stops, suspension components.

Smithers Rapra has extensive experience in designing & building bespoke test jigs & developing test protocols.

Our technical support services are world leading & include failure diagnosis, design & process optimisation & material analysis.

Our Information products & services include a wide range of review reports, a vast online information database, training courses & a programme of conferences covering a wide range of key sector themes.