Testing and laboratory – quality controls at every stage of development and production
At each stage of formulation development and compounding, RADO does everything it can to ensure the highest level of quality. True to the motto "Confidence is good, control is better", our experts carry out complex checks to prevent errors even before they can arise.
Random testing of raw materials
The quality of RADO's products depends not least on the quality of the base materials we use. Thanks to excellent relations with our suppliers and a systematic supplier development programme, almost 100 percent of the raw materials we receive are fully compliant with the relevant specification. Nevertheless, we regularly carry out random in-house material checks to ensure the absolute quality of our starting materials.
Sampling during formulation development
In RADO's development lab, our qualified chemists start by producing small laboratory batches, with which they analyse the properties of a new rubber compound to check compliance with our own expectations or corresponding customer specifications.
Whether a formulation satisfies the requirements or requires further development can be established from the following characteristic values, for example:
- Viscosity, rheology and curing characteristics
- Hardness and density
- Tensile strength and elongation
- Compression set and abrasion
These properties are determined using state-of-the-art testing equipment, such as the rubber process analyser (RPA) for example.
In-process checks during production
In-process analyses ensure that everything is "in the green zone" and that no faults have occurred. In addition, our in-house QA lab also tests for characteristic features of our rubber compounds. Our experts use a number of different test values to determine the characteristics and quality of the finished compound, and we can supply our customers with an inspection certificate in accordance with EN 10204 3.1 if required.
Annual audits to ensure compliance with required standards
In order to meet the requirements of our customers and to ensure that our systems operate correctly in line with strict quality and environmental guidelines, we are regularly inspected by external bodies. Our company has long been certified to DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 14001.