Quality Processes and Controls

At Mikron, we focus on quality from start to finish.

From Tooling to Materials and Quality Assurance processes within Manufacturing, our goal is providing you the highest quality extrusions.

Tooling Quality

High grade stainless steel tooling is designed to withstand the demands of multiple production runs over time and provide more accurate, dimensionally consistent extrusions. Consistent profiles from order-to-order optimize your window fabrication with less waste.

Materials

Mikron's proven material formulation has been developed over years of refinement and optimization to deliver superior weathering and colorfastness. With in-house blending capability, we avoid material inconsistencies that can occur from outside compound suppliers. Through computerized blending, we're able to make MikronBlend ™ and MikronWood ™ blends to exacting standards. Our proficiency in compound processing results in predictable vinyl performance and more consistent extrusions in several ways:

Superior impact and heat resistance
Lower notch sensitivity
Increased color retention
Greater UV protection
More consistent color, finish and strength because of the uniform distribution of stabilizers and impact modifiers.
Absence of heavy metals, such as lead, to reduce health and environment risks
Recycling of Mikron vinyl and MikronWood composite scrap at no cost to our customers.

Quality Assurance

Tight specifications are in place to ensure profiles meet Basic Tolerances, Angularity, Flatness, Bow, Surface Gloss & Quality, Cut Lengths, Color and location of in-line punching like Nail Fin holes. Quality processes continually measure production samples through Quantum Statistical Process Controls and Scan2CAD and state-of-technology imaging software to compare production profiles against original drawings. These processes accurately connect the daily production floor to your approved engineered profile specifications.

Also, our testing often spells the difference between failure and success. To give you the utmost confidence in our products, we routinely conduct 14 quality assurance tests. Mikron exceeds American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) testing by conducting seven additional Mikron Quality assurance tests.

Mikron is a charter member of the AAMA Lineal Certification program and all our major profiles are AAMA-certified, ASTM-tested and Energy Star-approved. Mikron uses the following industry-standard AAMA and ASTM tests:

Industry Standard AAMA & ASTM Tests
1		Heat Resistance Test The "AAMA-Mikron" Heat Resistance Test exposes vinyl profiles to extreme heat - 300° - then we visually inspect for stress-related surface changes.
2		Weatherability The "AAMA-Mikron" Weatherability Test confirms the vinyl's performance (color change or retention, plus impact resistance) for various climates.
3		Dimensional Stability The "AAMA-Mikron" Dimensional Stability Test measures a profile's linear shrinkage at an elevated temperature.
4		Impact Resistance The "AAMA-Mikron" Impact Resistance Test measures profile resistance to cracking or breaking during the fabrication process. Despite rigorous testing, no brittle failures have been recorded.
5		Tensile Strength The "AAMA-Mikron" Tensile Strength Test pulls apart the vinyl sample to determine its strength.
6		Weight Tolerance The "AAMA-Mikron" Weight Tolerance Test checks that finished profiles conform to the original design's weight.
7		Corner Weld The "AAMA-Mikron" Corner Weld Test applies a weight load-using no set limit-to test the strength of the weld seam as compared to the body of the profile.

Our on-site Mikron Statistical Process Control (MSPC) assures ongoing batch-to-batch consistency right at the point of production. And our quality-assured profile extrusions come with a 20-year, full-replacement warranty.

Mikron goes to great lengths to ensure that our vinyl profile quality exceeds industry standards for durability, strength and longevity. Beyond the seven AAMA requirements, we conduct seven additional tests:

Additional Mikron Tests
8		Mikron Resin and Additives Test The "Mikron" Resin and Additives Test uses Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to compare and verify the resins and additives to meet Mikron specifications.
9		Mikron Compound Test The "Mikron" Compound Test uses a Torque Rheometer to further analyze samples of the compound for blending uniformity and consistency.
10		Mikron Heat Absorption Test The "Mikron" Heat Absorption Test exposes vinyl to infrared radiation to determine how much radiant heat it can absorb and still remain stable.
11		Mikron Accelerated Weathering Test The "Mikron" Accelerated Weathering Test uses extreme UV radiation and humidity to simulate destructive outdoor environments.
12		Mikron Deflection Temperature Test The "Mikron" Deflection Temperature Test determines the temperature at which a profile of specific dimensions, under a specific load, will bend.
13		Mikron Statistical Process Control "Mikron SPC" is a statistical database collected from each extruder to help detect tool wear.
14		Mikron Desert Climate Test The "Mikron" Desert Climate Test uses an independent testing laboratory to test vinyl profiles and finished products in a desert environment.

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