Inside the test lab

XPE foam testing at Schmitz Foam Supply

 

At Schmitz Foam Supply, we are committed to delivering high-quality products with consistent performance. That’s why we continuously invest in process control, smart engineering, and precise product testing, to ensure our RoFoam  products perform exactly as expected.

Quality control starts at the production line. During and immediately after production, our operators carry out regular sampling and visual inspections. This allows us to detect any deviations early and take immediate corrective action. In doing so, we ensure that every RoFoam product remains within the defined tolerances, from the first to the very last meter.

In-lab quality and performance testing

After production, RoFoam products undergo a series of standardized XPE foam tests in our in-house laboratory. These tests are designed to verify the key material properties that determine product performance. Using precision equipment, we gain accurate insights into the quality of each production batch.

Our standard
testing procedures 

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Thickness

The material’s thickness is measured precisely to ensure consistent dimensional accuracy.

Density

We measure foam density to determine weight per volume. This directly influences the product’s flexibility, processability, and mechanical behavior in the final application.

Shrinkage

This test simulates thermal processes like lamination or thermoforming. We assess how much the foam contracts under controlled heat exposure, ensuring shape stability during processing and end use.

Tensile strength

We measure the foam’s resistance to stretching, in both machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD). This is a critical property for applications where the foam is subject to mechanical stress.

Compressive strength

We test the foam’s ability to resist compression, using a compression bench. This compression test is particularly important for foam products used under sustained pressure.

Shore hardness

This test measures the foam’s surface resistance to permanent deformation. The results help determine its suitability for specific processing techniques or end applications.

These in-lab evaluations provide a complete overview of the mechanical performance of our XPE foam. The result? Reliable RoFoam products that meet the specific quality and performance requirements of our customers, regardless of application or industry.

In addition to our standard measurements, we also perform customer-specific tests. These additional evaluations are tailored to the intended application, industry standards, or specific certification requirements. Thanks to our flexible testing capabilities, we can accurately respond to a wide range of quality criteria.

Customer specific testing

Depending on the final use case,
we can perform tests such as:

Brandlab - Erik

Flame retardancy

For applications where fire safety is critical, we assess how a RoFoam product responds to ignition and evaluate its flame-retardant properties according to applicable regulations.

Odor testing

Especially important in the automotive sector, where odor emissions in enclosed environments are strictly regulated. We test RoFoam to ensure it meets OEM odor requirements and interior comfort standards.

Certification cycles

In industries such as automotive, OEMs often require product validation through extensive testing protocols. We support customers throughout these certification cycles by subjecting RoFoam products to tests aligned with specific OEM specifications and qualification norms.

We work proactively with our customers to ensure the right product fit. When a specification is provided, we assess which RoFoam solution best matches the requirements, or, if needed, we develop a customized variant that meets the necessary criteria.

Independent laboratory validation

To ensure the quality and reliability of our testing methods, Schmitz Foam Supply regularly participates in round-robin tests in collaboration with independent external laboratories. In these comparative tests, our measurement results are evaluated alongside those from other institutions. This process helps objectively confirm the accuracy, consistency, and repeatability of our in-house testing procedures.

ISO-certified quality

Schmitz Foam Supply operates under an ISO-certified quality management system, built on internationally recognized standards. From raw material to finished product, we follow clearly defined procedures, checkpoints, and testing protocols. This structured approach enables us to deliver RoFoam products that are reliable in use, consistent in performance, and carefully inspected before leaving our facility. Our customers can trust that quality is always at the core of what we deliver.

Want to know more?

Do you have a specific product specification or industry standard your application needs to meet? Or would you like to learn more about how our XPE foam testing can support your product development? Feel free to reach out, we're happy to think along with you, right down to the smallest detail.

Contact us

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