(i) Free of Charge work is agreed upon with the sales team and is limited to typically two samples or two experiments (two samples at one set of conditions or two experiments on one sample). Demonstration work can be performed on a variety of instruments:

a. IGC SEA (Inverse Gas Chromatography Surface Energy Analyzer)
b. DVS: Intrinsic, Adventure, Resolution, Discovery, Endeavour
c. DVS Carbon
d. DVS Vacuum
e. VPA (Vapor Pressure Analyzer)
f. MPA Horizon (Membrane Permeation Analyzer)
g. BTA Frontier (Break Through Analyzer)

Note: A separate sales order is required for each instrument as outlined in the list above (a-g). A separate sales order is required for any follow-up work.

(ii) Further samples and conditions will be agreed and charged according to our standard contract work price structure, refer to “Contract Testing Order Form, QMF 49” for the same and contact Local Sales Team for further details. The Free of Charge sample work will not affect the other terms and conditions of the sample submission policy.

(iii) All data collected on customer samples remains the intellectual property of the customer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

(iv) SMS will undertake to keep all customer data and reports relating to customer data confidential unless agreed otherwise below.

(v) The customer agrees to supply safety data sheets before sending samples for analysis. SMS will NOT be able to undertake analysis or handling of customer materials unless these are supplied i.e. the analysis is subject to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in English and SMS reserves the right to apply additional charges or refuse analysis if special safety measures are required for handling the samples.

(vi) The customer agrees to take back and dispose of any samples which require special disposal /handling facilities. Shipping costs will be added to the invoice for the return of any unused sample(s).

(vii) The standard lead time for sample analysis testing work is a minimum of six weeks, but this may change according to the workload.

(viii) SMS laboratories are equipped to perform demonstration work and are not GMP certified.

Please specify:

– sample drying/activation conditions
– probe molecules (water, organic vapor, or gas) that should be used for measurements
– sorption conditions (temperature, pressure, concentration) for each sample.

For IGC SEA experiments please provide the BET surface area values if available.

For BTA experiments:

– Supply at least 500 mg of sample for each experiment
– Activation condition: type of gas, flow rate, temperature, ramping rate, heating duration
– Adsorption condition: type of gas, flow rate, gas concentration, adsorption temperature, relative humidity
– Desorption conditions type of gas, flow rate, temperature, ramping rate, heating duration

For MPA experiments:

– Sample for the MPA is a flat disk, for which the minimum diameter must be 12 cm and the thickness smaller than 0.5 mm
– Please state the sample thickness and diameter
– Activation condition and any sample preconditioning: type of gas, flow rate, temperature, ramping rate, heating duration
– Adsorption condition: type of gas, flow rate, gas concentration, adsorption temperature, relative humidity
– Desorption conditions type of gas, flow rate, temperature, ramping rate, heating duration

Remark:

The scientific contract services provided by Surface Measurement Systems represent state-of-the-art advanced materials characterization. Currently, no national or international standards exists for virtually any of the analytical methods employed by Surface Measurement Systems. The data and results provided, though carried out with reasonable care and skill, do not therefore represent formally accredited UKAS test methods or analysis.

The amount of sample required to carry out the testing varies with the nature of the sample and the instrumental technique used for analysis.

For IGC SEA:

– Ideally 0.5g – 2g of sample will be sufficient to allow for preliminary tests to establish appropriate experimental conditions and to be able to carry out reproducibility tests
– The amount needed to pack a column range between 5mg (for highly energetic materials) and 500mg (for low energetic materials).

For DVS and VPA:

– The amount needed for an analysis varies between 1mg (for highly hygroscopic materials) and 100mg (for non-hygroscopic materials).
– 100 – 200 mg of sample is typically sufficient for DVS analysis considering repeat measurements.

For BTA experiments:

– Supply at least 500 mg of sample for each experiment

For MPA experiments:

– Sample for the MPA is a flat disk, for which the minimum diameter must be 12 cm and the thickness smaller than 0.5 mm

Materials Safety Data Sheets

We request that samples be submitted with the corresponding Material Safety Data Sheets.

For non-toxic samples, a statement of non-toxicity from the customer is required.

Please note that handling and analysis of samples cannot be carried out without MSDS. The analysis is subject to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) being available before sending the samples. SMS reserves the right to apply additional charges or refuse analysis if special safety measures are required.

Confidentiality Agreement

Please email the contact email details as provided in section 1 for the Non-Disclosure Agreement, should the customer require one prior to the sample testing.

Sample Submission

Surface Measurement System offers both contract testing and Free of Charge sample testing.

(i) Free of Charge (FOC) work is limited to typically 2 samples.
(ii) Contract testing will be charged according to our standard contract work price structure.

Please contact your Sales representative or the email details as provided in section 1 for further information on Free of Charge and contract testing work.

Returning the sample

The remains of samples will be disposed of after completion of the testing unless the customer specifically requires having them returned.