Testing of plastic materials has grown increasingly sophisticated in recent years. The instruments and equipment used to analyze and evaluate polymers, elastomers, composites, and films are more accurate and able to provide more consistent and repeatable results than previous generations. Plastics testing is used to develop new materials, evaluate processing, specify materials for product applications, determine a product's ability to meet end-use requirements under various environmental conditions, verify design concepts, ensure product quality and safety, and protect manufacturers against product-liability claims.