Physical Properties Testing

A physical property of a material, also known as an observable, is any property that is measurable and that can be used to describe matter. That might include appearance, colour, smell, melting point, texture, boiling point, density, solubility, polarity and so on. Physical properties testing might include evaluation of the quality of a material and the way it performs under certain conditions, for instance. The physical test measures a given product, process or service qualitatively or quantitatively according to a specified procedure to see how it performs in those conditions. Physical testing may therefore be used to check if the requirements laid down in a specification or set regulation have been met; to prove that a particular product works as advertised; to provide quality assurance; or validate a material’s suitability for a specific end-use, for instance. Various types of testing of physical properties are used across a range of industries, including the automotive, aerospace, nuclear, chemicals and polymers and plastics fields and the construction industry. The techniques are invaluable for research and development of new products and quality assurance departments especially.