Chicago Laboratory

CHICAGO CAPABILITIES

• Thermal Laboratory & Flammability Testing

  Our thermal laboratory teams support investigations of fires, explosions, consumer product failures and recalls, litigation, and forensic investigations. Working across thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemistry disciplines, Exponent engineers design custom testing systems, recreate real‑world failure scenarios, evaluate ignition and thermal hazards, and analyze fire propagation. Our capabilities include:

  • Small‑ and large‑scale burn testing

  • Material ignition and flammability testing

  • Aerosol flame extension testing

  • Oven and thermal exposure response studies

  • Self-heating and thermal runaway experimentation

  • Wet‑bench chemistry in chemical fume hoods

  • Product teardown and disassembly for forensic evaluation

  • Configurable, customizable lab spaces for specialized testing and hosting multi-party examinations

• Electrical Testing Laboratory

  Exponent's electrical laboratory provides rigorous investigations of consumer product failures — including in cases of recalls and high-stakes litigation —  with bespoke electrical testing and analysis. Our ability to answer complex, specific questions about electrical failure modes, unique electrical behavior, and misuse scenarios supports product safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Our capabilities include:

  • Electrical failure analysis

  • Custom consumer, household, and industrial product testing

  • Evaluation and testing for product recall investigations

  • Intellectual property and forensic analyses

  • Automated control system evaluations

• Mechanical Testing Laboratory

  Exponent's multidisciplinary teams help clients understand root causes of mechanical failures and address materials engineering challenges that impact safety, functionality, and product performance. Our lab teams routinely develop custom mechanical and materials testing methods and provide advanced modeling to further support product safety and reliability. Our services include:

  • Lifecycle testing of consumer products

  • Performance evaluations of mechanical products and systems using custom fixtures

  • Tensile and cycling testing of materials

  • Fluid pressure testing, including leak and seal integrity testing

  • Durability testing

  • Dimensional inspections

• Secure Evidence Storage

  Our Chicago area lab provides secure, controlled evidence storage designed to preserve integrity and chain of custody for high‑stakes litigation matters. Our facility supports long‑term storage of large and complex evidence, with controlled access, environmental controls, and documented handling practices aligned with applicable standards — including ASTM E1188-23, ASTM E1492-11(2017), and NFPA 921 — for managing forensic evidence. These capabilities support our on-site multi‑party inspections, extended investigations, and complex matters where evidence may remain in custody for years.