Construcion Industry

Rubber & plastics may only account for a small share of the total volume of materials used in the construction industry, but in terms of plastic production it amounts to about 20% of total output.

Our experience covers the three main areas of the construction industry; Building, Heavy/highway & Industrial. Polymers often fulfil critical functions & the use of rubbers & plastics continues to grow.

The importance of polymers in the construction industry is due to their unique properties. To optimise their performance, it is necessary to understand their complex behaviour, their advantages & drawbacks or engage the services of a consultancy company that can provide this service. The correct material for the purpose must be selected & the product properly designed if expensive & embarrassing failures are to be avoided.

From the design concept to quality control testing, Smithers Rapra’s expertise & facilities are available to provide support for polymeric materials & products to all sectors of the construction industry.

Rubbers & Plastics are used for:

  • Windows, doors & glazing
  • Cladding & facias
  • Electrical cable & components
  • Bridge bearings
  • Geomembranes & geotextiles
  • Flooring
  • Sanitaryware
  • Artificial sports surfaces
  • Seals & gaskets
  • Hoses, pipes & conduit
  • Belting
  • Road construction

Particular areas of specialism at Smithers Rapra include:

Flooring & Slip Resistance

With a high proportion of industrial & domestic accidents occurring through slipping, tripping & falling, Smithers Rapra provides extensive experience measuring pedestrian slip resistance of flooring surfaces. We are accredited to perform tests in both the laboratory & on-site where the flooring is laid. There are many International Standards covering the measurement of slip resistance; UKAS accreditation is held for:

  • BS EN 649: Resilient Floor Coverings – Homogeneous & Heterogeneous Polyvinyl Chloride Floor Coverings – Specification.
  • DIN 51 097: Testing of Floor Coverings; Determination of the Anti-Slip Properties; Wet-Loaded Barefoot Areas; Walking Method – Ramp Test.
  • BS 7976: Pendulum Testers – Part 2: Method of Operation.

Smithers Rapra can also supply friction reference materials used in floor testing.

Sanitaryware

Smithers Rapra offer a range of tests to assess material properties, design & construction of acrylic baths & showers. Typical tests determine:

  • Colour fastness
  • Thermal cycling
  • Stains
  • Impact

UKAS accreditation is held for the following standards:

  • BS 4305: Part 1: Specification for Finished Baths
  • BS 6340 Shower Units – Part 5. Specification for Prefabricated Shower Trays Made From Acrylic Material.
  • BS EN 263 Sanitary Appliances – Crosslinked Cast Acrylic Sheets for Baths & Shower Trays for Domestic Purposes.

Seals & Gaskets

Seals & gaskets are used in a range of plumbing & heating applications. Tests commonly include:

  • Hardness
  • Tensile
  • Compression set
  • Stress relaxation
  • Low temperature performance
  • Ozone resistance
  • Ageing

UKAS accreditation is held for the following standards:

  • BS EN 681 Elastomeric Seals – Material Requirements for Pipe Joint Seals Used in Water & Drainage Applications:
    • Part 1: Vulcanized Rubber
    • Part 2: Thermoplastic Elastomers
    • Part 3: Cellular Materials of Vulcanized Rubber
    • Part 4: Cast Polyurethane Sealing Elements
  • BS EN 682 Elastomeric Seals – Material Requirements for Seals Used in Pipes & Fittings Carrying Gas & Hydrocarbon Fluids.

Belting

Drive belts & conveyer belts are used in a wide variety of industrial plant equipment. Tests can be carried out to confirm mechanical properties against OEM & International standards. In addition, Smithers Rapra has extensive experience in the examination of failed belts to determine the cause of failure.

Geomembranes & Geotextiles

Smithers Rapra undertakes predictive & indicative tests to assist in the selection, specification, quality assurance & failure analysis of geomebranes & geotextiles. A range of physical tests to assess materials or test pieces are used to determine the following:

  • Dimensional stability
  • Tear Strength
  • Thickness
  • Environmental stress cracking
  • Tensile strength
  • Extensibility

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