At Pronal we often talk about custom made… Like for instance the different measurements we’re able to offer and the various kinds of accessories we’re able to add on our product ranges. But there’s another important point we sometimes forget to mention … The technical fabrics used to manufacture our products! The raw material used to manufacture all flexible items and the different testing procedures (chemical compatibility…) are crucial steps too. That’s why we would like to shine a light on our laboratory.
The Pronal laboratory
First of all, all our fabric is stored (raw) in special rooms adapted to their own specificities (refrigerated rooms for example). This means we store them according to their specificities (UV / high or low temperature). This process is the best way to avoid the aging of the fabric and to preserve them. From Day 1, Pronal laboratory has always taken care of the different materials used in the manufacturing process with the aim of offering each customer the best quality and compatibility they may be looking for and waiting for.
Pronal laboratory has an air-conditioned room in which a large number of tests can be done (with strict norms). These tests are divided into 4 groups:
- expiry tests fabrics,
- tests on new fabrics entrance,
- compatibility tests fabrics,
- tailor-made tests to answer the client’s specific needs.
The Expiry tests and new materials entrance tests
All materials that arrive at Pronal need to undergo an entrance test. During this step, we record all mechanical characteristics and durability in order to track the materials during their life-span. As for coating fabrics, the following tests are done:
- endurance and lengthening of the material (norm NF EN ISO 1421),
- assembly (norm NF EN ISO 1421),
- grammage, thickness, and adhesion (norm NF EN ISO 36).
With regards to the elastomer foils, we test:
- endurance and lengthening of the material (norm NF EN ISO 37),
- hardness Shore (norm NF EN ISO 7619-1) norm to control the hardness of the elastomer,
- grammage and thickness control.
All materials (raw) will be tested and controlled during their entire life-span. This way we’re able to warranty the best fabrics/products through all of our production.
All compatibility tests and tailor-made tests answer the customer’s needs.
Our products can be used for our customer’s specific requirements. For example, to store corrosives products (acid) or plug pipes containing chemical products (please look at the OPAP article). All these uses severely test our fabrics/products. For this reason, our laboratory proceeds with specific tests (on demand) in accordance with technical specifications.
The customer must first send their Safety Data Sheet (SDS). It is then studied in order to determine the associated PPE and to suggest a test protocol to the client. Secondly, the customer sends us the chemical. It is thus tested in contact with material samples that can answer the client’s needs. During the course of this test, the samples are put into contact with the chemistry/chemistries for a duration and temperature determined by the protocol. The protocol is always carried out in conditions superior to the end use of the client (safety factor). Once the tests are completed, the client receives our report. The laboratory temporarily stores the chemicals until collection by an approved recycling organization.
In addition, other types of tailor-made tests are possible, such as:
- permeability tests for liquid products,
- mechanical compression, tearing, perforation, etc. tests.
The laboratory also produces mini Pronal products to carry out small-scale tests for real use.
To conclude, thanks to our laboratory, our products are 100 compatible and adapted to your needs. Thanks to their high quality, they will last over time and carry out their missions. If you wish to benefit from our laboratory services for testing, please do not hesitate to contact us by email: contact@pronal.com or by phone on +33 (0)3 20 99 75 00