Introducing Corex Lab: Science Behind Better Plastics
When it comes to plastics, performance isn’t a guess, it’s engineered.
At Corex, we’ve built a reputation for delivering high-performance materials like Corflute®. But behind every sheet, every structure, and every application is something deeper: Science, Testing, and Engineering.
That’s where Corex Lab comes in.
What is Corex Lab?
Corex Lab is our dedicated science and engineering capability, designed to support both internal product development and external customers seeking deeper technical understanding of plastic materials.
It exists for one reason; to ensure materials perform exactly as they need to and fit for purpose for its intended application.
Whether you’re:
- Designing a new product,
- Specifying materials for a project,
- Troubleshooting performance issues, or
- Validating sustainability claims.
Corex Lab provides the data, insight, and confidence to make informed decisions.
Testing
The Corex Lab is comprehensively equipped to test many materials and products.
Combining our vast experience in polymer engineering whilst keeping up to date with applicable standards, we can create test programes to meet the requirements for your application.
Our laboratory is equipped with:
- Instron tensile machine 5543
- Netzsch DSC 214 Polyma
- FTIR Spectrometer PerkinElmer Spectrum Two
- Impact tester (Izod and Charpy)
- Instrumented impact tester
- Crush testing equipment
- Accelerated weathering Q.U.V
- Taber abrasion test
Understand more about what each test involves here – Corex Plastics Lab | Corex
Why is Material Science Important?
Plastics are often underestimated. On the surface, they may look simple, but their performance depends on a complex combination of:
- Material composition
- Structural design
- Environmental conditions
- Application-specific stresses
Without proper testing and validation, even small variables can lead to:
- Premature failure
- Reduced performance
- Over-engineering (and unnecessary cost)
- Missed sustainability targets
Corex Lab removes that uncertainty.
Supporting Better Material Decisions
At its core, Corex Lab helps answer critical questions like:
- Will this material perform in my application?
- Is it strong enough? Flexible enough? Durable enough?
- How will it behave outdoors or under load?
- Can we reduce material usage without sacrificing performance?
- Is there a more sustainable alternative?
These aren’t theoretical questions, but real-world decisions that impact cost, performance, and environmental outcomes.
Engineering Our Own Materials
Corex Lab plays a critical role in the development and continuous improvement of Corex products.
Take Corflute®eco as an example which uses an advanced r-PP (recycled polypropylene) formular.
Advancing from 50% to up to 100% recycled content wasn’t just a manufacturing milestone, it required:
- Material testing
- Structural validation
- Performance benchmarking
- Process optimisation
Through Corex Lab, we ensure that even as materials become more sustainable, they continue to meet the mechanical and performance expectations our customers rely on.
Sustainability only works if the product performs. Learn more about What is Recycled Corflute?
Explore more about r-PP Pellets used to create Coreflute®eco.
Supporting Our Customers
Corex Lab isn’t just for Corex, it’s for our customers too.
We regularly work with:
- Designers and engineers
- Manufacturers and fabricators
- Builders and contractors
- Procurement and sustainability teams
Providing support such as:
- Material selection guidance
- Application testing and validation
- Performance troubleshooting
- Comparative material analysis
Whether you’re developing something new or refining an existing product, Corex Lab helps you move forward with confidence.
From Data to Real-World Performance
Testing is only valuable if it reflects real-world conditions.
Corex Lab bridges the gap between laboratory data and practical application, ensuring that materials don’t just meet specifications on paper, but perform in the environments they’re designed for.
This includes understanding:
- Impact resistance
- Load-bearing capacity
- Environmental exposure (UV, temperature)
- Long-term durability
The result? Materials that are fit for purpose, not over or under-engineered.
Beyond Colour: Understanding Surface Durability After UV Exposure
At Corex Lab, accelerated weathering testing is routinely used to assess how materials perform under prolonged UV exposure. Traditionally, this type of testing focuses on colour change, but real-world performance goes further than appearance.
Recent developments in our lab have expanded this approach by combining QUV accelerated weathering with surface hardness evaluation, providing a deeper understanding of how materials behave over time.
Why This Test is Important
In many applications, surface durability is just as critical as colour stability.
Changes in surface hardness can indicate:
- Reduced scratch resistance
- Increased susceptibility to wear
- Early signs of surface degradation
These factors directly impact performance in outdoor environments, particularly for applications such as:
- Signage
- Construction panels
- Protective barriers
What We’re Seeing
Using our QUV system, materials are exposed to controlled UV and moisture cycles in line with industry practices.
By measuring surface hardness before and after exposure, we can detect subtle changes in surface condition, insights that would not be identified through visual inspection alone.
In many cases, materials may appear visually acceptable, while underlying surface properties begin to shift.
Practical Value
By combining QUV testing with surface hardness evaluation, Corex Lab provides a more complete picture of long-term performance.
This allows us to:
- Better predict behaviour in outdoor environments
- Support more informed material selection
- Identify opportunities to optimise formulations, including UV stabilisation systems
Ultimately, it’s about ensuring materials don’t just look good, but continue to perform over time.
More Than Manufacturing
Corex Lab represents a broader shift in how we think about materials. We’re not just producing plastic sheets. We’re engineering solutions.
Solutions that:
- Perform reliably
- Use resources more efficiently
- Support circular systems
- Deliver confidence to our customers
Partner With Corex Lab
If you’re working with plastic materials and need greater clarity, confidence, or performance insight, Corex Lab is here to help.
Talk to our team to learn how we can support your next project. To contact us about the Corex Lab, click on the Contact us button. Then, in the drop-down question, “Let us know what you are interested in?” choose “Corex Lab”.
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