We help clients make informed material and qualification decisions through material screening, benchmarking, formulation support, and rapid material evaluation aligned to application requirements and representative service conditions.
Supporting Material Selection and Qualification Decisions
Smithers expertise in early-stage material selection and qualification includes:- Material selection and screening for demanding environments
- Compound and formulation support for polymer and elastomer applications
- Material benchmarking and comparative assessment
- Qualification and verification test program development
- Support for supplier changes, reformulation, obsolescence management, and accelerated qualification activities
- Guidance on environmental exposure, durability, and lifecycle considerations
Materials Performance and Qualification Support
Smithers combines applied materials expertise with independent testing and analysis to support qualification, durability, and performance assessment for polymer and elastomer applications used in demanding defense environments. Capabilities and assessment activities include:- Polymer and elastomer physical testing
- Material characterization and benchmarking
- Environmental and durability testing
- Thermal analysis and ageing assessment
- Failure investigation and root-cause support where required
Defense Applications and Operating Environments
Smithers supports the selection, qualification, and assessment of polymer and elastomer materials used in demanding defense operating environments including:- Seals, gaskets, hoses, and fluid-handling systems
- Connector systems, cable protection, and sensor housings
- UAV, autonomous, and uncrewed defense systems
- Naval, maritime, and lightweight defense structures
- Protective enclosures and environmental shielding components
Standards and Qualification Support
Qualification programs are aligned to relevant military, industry, and application-specific standards and requirements, including:- MIL-STD-810
- ASTM material qualification and polymer testing methods
- ISO polymer and elastomer testing standards
- Customer-defined and application-specific qualification protocols
Why Work with Smithers
- Independent specialist in polymer and elastomer materials
- ISO 17025 accredited laboratories
- Cyber Essentials certified
- JOSCAR registered
- NADCAP accredited capabilities
- Environmental simulation and applied materials expertise
- Support from material selection through to in-service investigation
- Applied materials expertise supporting qualification, durability, and long-term performance assessment
