What is Scratch Testing? Scratch Testing Defined

Product creators in all industries must take steps to ensure each item that leaves the production line lives up to the highest possible standards. Anything less than that opens the door for a range of problems nobody wants to face, such as reputation damage and refund requests.

Scratch testing is an essential part of quality testing that gives manufacturers peace of mind with each product they put on the market. Surface Machines provides several services for those who want to take quality to the next level. First, the testing company can test sample materials, but it also sells testing equipment for manufacturers who wish to run their own tests.

Surface Testing Overview

Surface Machines has put this guide together to help prospective clients understand the testing process and why they should use it. This information lets them make the best choice for their goals and situation. In simple terms, the testing machine will scratch the surface of a material to characterize scratch resistance and overall durability.

When people come to the testing company for help, the team runs the material through the machine and compiles a detailed report. Manufacturers can go over the report and decide if the material lives up to their standards or if they should use something else. Getting this information before a product hits the market saves companies a lot of time, effort and money.

Testable Materials

When looking to characterize scratch resistance, some people ask what type of materials they can test, which is a fair question. The test machine can analyze bottles, glass, plastic, metals, textiles and polymers. Clients can decide if the materials they have in mind will last in the real world without showing signs of damage.

Size Limits

All samples have to be between .5 by 4 inches and 12 by 24 inches. In metric units, they must be between 10mm by 100mm and 300mm x 600mm. The minimum size requirement exists because the machine must be able to grab the sample, and anything that is over the size limit won't fit inside the machine.

Usage Examples

Those who discover the testing service for the first time often wonder why anyone would use it. When quality is important, nobody can afford to take risks or leave things to chance.

Business leaders who aim to prevent scratch damage in manufacturing can ship a sample of their material to the testing center or buy a test machine. Running the test ensures that the materials used in production meet the quality guidelines put in place to keep customers safe and happy. Taking this step increases overall customer satisfaction and lowers the number of returns a company can expect to process.

Reporting Standards

Rather than compiling random reports based on arbitrary data, Surface Machines follows some of the strictest scratch-test standards on the planet:

  • ISO 19252:2008
  • ASTM D7027
  • Volkswagen PV3952
  • GM14688-A-10N
  • Toyota TSL3618G 4.9

By following these standards, our team helps each client prevent scratch damage in manufacturing.

Final Thoughts

Manufacturers who care about their long-term results understand why quality testing is a vital piece of the puzzle they can never overlook. Making sure each line of products lives up to strict standards will boost profitability and reduce stress for everyone involved. Confidence, happy customers and an outstanding reputation for quality are what companies can expect when they run scratch testing on each batch of materials before production.

The money and time saved during the process are what make mar testing an investment worth making. The past and current clients are pleased with the outcomes they have received after reviewing detailed reports, and new clients can enjoy the same benefits as soon as they get started.