COVID-19 Impact on Material Testing in Chemicals and Materials Industry
Materials testing are the study of the properties and Behaviour of materials such as metals, ceramics, and polymers under a variety of situations. The information gained can be used to specify material appropriateness for a variety of applications, such as building or aircraft construction, machinery, or packaging. It is possible to test a full-scale or small-scale model of a proposed machine or structure.
Categories for Materials testing:-
• Mechanical Testing;
• Testing for Thermal Properties
• Testing for Electrical Properties
• Testing for Resistance to Corrosion, Radiation, and Biological Deterioration
• Nondestructive Testing
Materials testing are a well-known and well-respected technique for determining the physical and mechanical properties of raw materials and components. It may be used to analyse a wide range of materials, including human hair, steel, ceramics, and composites.
Materials testing machines are perfect for use in manufacturing, quality control, education, research, and laboratories. These devices can be employed in a wide range of applications on account of their vast testing capabilities.
Chemical analysis for medical components provides you with the assurance that your components are proper, clean, and safe for use by the general public. Metals, plastics, polymers, powdered metals, ores, ferroalloys, composites, and ceramics are among the materials we test. FT-IR surface analysis is a useful method for ensuring that your medical devices and packaging components are free of contaminants.
Before being released for public use or sale, any pharmaceutical product or medical device must be approved by the State FDA and the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO).Material analysis, DSC analysis, chemical tests, physical characterization, NMR testing, FTIR testing, and other tests can be performed by testing laboratories, all in accordance with the standards and in a safe manner.
Traditionally, raw material testing and reports have been performed by chemical testing laboratories to verify their quality and appropriateness for use in pharmaceutical drug formulations. They have the necessary equipment to carry out the complex operations required for raw material testing.
Effective materials testing is critical whether you need to validate material attributes for application trials, find faults, evaluate failures, improve novel materials, or conduct basic research on the theoretical strength of materials
Materials testing Applications:-
• Electronics
• Automotive
• Paper and Board
• Medical
• Building Materials
• Metals
• Plastics
• Textiles
• Rubber
• Packaging
• Pharmaceuticals
• Wood
COVID-19 IMPACT ON MATERIALS TESTING IN CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS INDUSTRY
Material Testing is commonly used by mask manufacturers and other producers of Personal Protective Equipment to undertake physical strength tests to evaluate material and functionality performance. Masks are made of paper or other non-woven materials and are tension tested until they tear. The ear-loop straps' attachment to the mask is tested to ensure that it is sturdy enough to endure repeated use without breaking. Peel-testing is done on sterile packaging to ensure that it may be opened easily while still maintaining its protective barrier properties. Physical strength testing is also performed on disposable face masks used with manual and automatic resuscitators and ventilators. The torque required to match effectively with connectors is measured by testing the check valves that limit airflow.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SUPPLY CHAIN
The supply chain has an effect on not only manufacturers, distributors, and customers, but also impact on lab testing .Production of various plants was decreased, stopped, or temporarily halted as a result of workers who were found to be COVID-19 positive. Covid-19 has impacted the supply chain the most as due to the lock down in the several countries the import and export activities became difficult and also the demand has reduced which has impacted the materials testing market. Several plant implementations have gone on hold and also transportation of the materials testing from one nation to another is very difficult due to such a situation.
CONCLUSION
The upcoming few months and years does not look much fruitful for the businesses in the construction industry. The impact of COVID-19 will affect all players. Material testing provides job to millions of people in many countries. Thus the development of employment will depend on for the speed of recovery and the duration of crises. To avoid any mass layoffs, most of the firms are now looking for short-work schemes.
Today the spread of the novel coronavirus has triggered significant market damage across the world. Most businesses have stopped immediately and the effect of the pandemic on all industries such as Electronics, Automotive, Paper and Board, Medical, Building Materials, Metals, Plastics and among others is not yet clear. The towns are closed down, and social distancing has become a modern norm.
Government along with the private sector can play a vital role in reviving the sector. The government is attending the large financing needs arising from COVID-19, the private sector can take care of large investments and expertise required in developing countries. Apart from this, strong engagement with governments and local stakeholders will continue to contribute significantly to the development of the sector.
Several manufactures closed the factory due to heavy losses. Companies are making the strategic action to increase the demand of the testing materials in the market and to increase their revenue. Government has also introduced many polices and initiatives which would help manufactures to maintain stable growth in current dynamic situation.