Laboratory testing services

Phase identification and quantification (Rietveld analysis) of a crystalline powder material using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The analysis can also provide unit cell dimensions. The analysis is only suitable for materials with at least one crystalline phase. The quantification accuracy is roughly 0.1 %, depending on the sample matrix and the phase in question. The available temperature range for XRD measurements is 25-1100 °C and the crystallinity can be studied as a function of temperatures. The measurements can be done under a normal atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum. Please contact our experts to discuss the available temperature and atmosphere combinations. Please mention which crystalline phases your material contains and which ones are you interested in quantifying when requesting testing. However, the method can be applied to unknown phases as well. Either a tabletop or a synchrotron XRD can be used to perform the measurements.

Fire classification of construction materials is generally performed by the European classification standard EN 13501-1. The price displayed on this page includes the preparation of the classification report. The tests can be purchased separately. The tests required for EN 13501-1 fire classification include the following: For non-flooring: Class F and E: EN ISO 11925-2, Class D, C, B: EN ISO 11925-2 and EN 13823, Class A2: EN 13823 and EN ISO 1182 or EN ISO 1716, Class A1: EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. For flooring : Class Ffl and Efl: EN ISO 11925-2, Class Dfl, Cfl, Bfl: EN ISO 11925-2 and EN ISO 9239-1, Class A2fl: EN ISO 9239-1 and EN ISO 1182 or EN ISO 1716, Class A1fl: EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. For linear pipes: Class FL and EL: EN ISO 11925-2, Class DL, CL, BL: EN ISO 11925-2 and EN 13823, Class A2L: EN 13823 and EN ISO 1182 or EN ISO 1716, Class A1L: EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. In addition to the main class, the materials are given additional classifications for smoke production (s1, s2, and s3) and burning particles (d0, d1, and d2).

This test is used to assess the reaction of building products (excluding flooring) to fire when exposed to a thermal attack by a single burning item (SBI). In the test, the spread of flames and smoke is measured. The main purpose of the test is to classify building products according to Euroclass A2, B, C, or D, as per the European classification standard EN 13501-1. Measurlabs can provide individual EN ISO 13823 testing as well as the full set of tests required for EN 13501-1 fire rating classification.

This test measures the ignitability of building materials when exposed to a small flame. The main purpose of the test is to classify building products according to Euroclass B, Bfl, BL, C, Cfl, CL, D, Dfl, DL, E, Efl, or EL as per the European classification standard EN 13501-1. Measurlabs provides individual EN ISO 11925-2 testing as well as other certified tests for EN 13501-1 fire rating classification.

This method is used to determine the gross heat of combustion of solid building products at constant volume in a bomb calorimeter. Results are reported in J/kg. If the product is non-homogeneous, meaning that it consists of multiple materials, each material must be tested separately. The result can be used to classify construction products into classes A1, A1fl, A1L, A2, A2fl, and A2L according to the fire classification standard EN 13501-1.

Determination of the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released by solid or liquid samples. The measurement is performed by placing the investigated sample in a chamber, through which nitrogen is flushed. The nitrogen is led through an absorption cartridge, which traps the VOC compounds. Upon completion of the gas collection, the trapped VOCs are analyzed with thermal desorption-gas chromatography (TD-GC). The measurement can either be performed at ambient temperature, or the sampling chamber can be heated.

This test is used to evaluate the non-combustible properties of construction materials. The test is included in the EN 13501-1 fire classification standard for classifications A1, A2, A1fl, A2fl, A1L, and A2L. When aiming for A1 classes, the gross heat of combustion test (EN ISO 1716) is also required. For A2 classes, either the single burning item test (EN 13823) or the reaction to fire test for flooring (EN ISO 9239-1) is required in addition to this test or EN ISO 1716. During non-combustibility testing, the specimen is placed in a tube furnace and possible burning events are monitored with thermocouples. If the test specimen burns, the flaming time is also measured. Class A1 materials are not allowed to experience sustained flaming. For class A2 materials, flaming must stop within 20 seconds.

ISO 5659-2 outlines the procedure for measuring the optical density of smoke produced by a material placed in a closed test cabinet and exposed to thermal radiation. The standard was originally developed for plastics, but it can be applied to a range of other products and materials. In the test, representative specimens of the material are mounted horizontally in a test chamber, and their upper surface is exposed to a specified level of thermal irradiance (usually 25 kW/m2 or 50 kW/m2), with or without a pilot flame. The resulting smoke is collected, and its optical density is measured using a photometric method. Some of the key parameters measured include the maximum specific optical density (Ds,max), the specific optical densities at specified times (Ds(1,5), Ds(4), Ds(10)), and the cumulative specific optical densities during the first 4 minutes of the test (VOF4). A toxicity measurement can also be included to measure toxic gas emissions. Its results are reported as the conventional index of toxicity (CITG). The ISO 5659-2 smoke production test is often required as part of the EN 45545-2 fire safety evaluation of railway materials.

ISO 5660-1 outlines a procedure for using a cone calorimeter to measure the heat release and smoke production rates of materials upon exposure to a predetermined heat flux. Before testing, representative specimens are conditioned at 23±2 ℃ and 50±5% RH until reaching constant mass. They are then wrapped in foil, placed in a sample holder within a retainer frame, and exposed to an irradiance of 50±1 kW/m2 (unless specified otherwise). The results will include the maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE), which is required information for multiple material types when evaluating their fire safety in railway applications according to EN 45545-2. Other measured parameters include the following: Mass at the start and end of the experiment, Mass loss percentage, Average mass loss rate, Ignition and extinction times, Maximum rate of heat release (RHR), RHR at 180 and 300 seconds after starting the test, Total heat release (THR), Total smoke production per unit area (overall + before and after ignition). We can also offer other reaction-to-fire tests to meet EN 45545-2 requirements, including ISO 5658-2 and ISO 5659-2. Do not hesitate to contact our experts if you need a quote for the full set of tests.

GC-MS analysis of 16 PAH compounds, which are listed as high-priority pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analyzed PAH compounds are: naphthalene [CAS: 91-20-3], acenaphthylene [CAS: 208-96-8], acenaphthene [CAS: 83-32-9], fluorene [CAS: 86-73-7], phenanthrene [CAS: 85-01-8], anthracene [CAS: 120-12-7], fluoranthene [CAS: 206-44-0], pyrene [CAS: 129-00-0], benz(a)anthracene [CAS: 56-55-3], chrysene [CAS: 218-01-9], benzo(b)fluoranthene [CAS: 205-99-2], benzo(k)fluoranthene [CAS: 207-08-9], benzo (a) pyrene [CAS: 50-32-8], dibenzo(ah)anthracene [CAS: 53-70-3], benzo (ghi) perylene [CAS: 191-24-2], indeno (123cd) pyrene [CAS: 193-39-5].

Fire testing according to EN ISO 9239-1 is used to evaluate the ability of flooring to withstand flames and radiant heat. Flame spread, smoke generation, and the lowest radiant heat to sustain burning are measured. The method is primarily used to classify floor coverings according to the European EN 13501-1 fire classification system. Depending on the results, floorings can be categorized as A2fl, Bfl, Cfl, or Dfl. A smoke production classification of s1 or s2 is also provided. Another use case is assessing the burning behavior of floor composites and interior horizontal surfaces used in rail vehicles according to the EN 45545-2 standard. The testing procedure is the following: 1) The test specimen is placed in a horizontal position below a gas-fired radiant panel inclined at 30°, where it is exposed to a defined heat flux. 2) A pilot flame is applied to the hotter end of the specimen. 3) Following ignition, any flame front that develops is noted, and a record is made of the progression of the flame front horizontally along the length of the specimen, measuring the time it takes for the fire to spread to defined distances. 4) Smoke production is recorded as light transmission in the exhaust stack. One specimen is tested in one direction (e.g. production direction) and another in the direction perpendicular to the first specimen. The test that yields the worst results is repeated twice in that direction.

The burning rate of horizontally mounted materials designed to be used in vehicles and buses must be tested with the UN/ECE R118 annex 6 test before they can be approved for use. Measurlabs offers this and the other R118 tests with accreditation. In the test method, the exposed side of the test specimen is burned from underneath and the burning rate is measured and expressed in mm/min.

The ISO 4589-2 oxygen index test is used to evaluate the fire behavior of certain railway materials according to the EN 45545-2 standard. It is required to meet requirements R22, R23, and R24, which apply to products such as insulators, seals, pipes, and hoses. The oxygen index (OI) is the minimum volume-based percentage of oxygen in an oxygen-nitrogen mixture required to support the combustion of the sample under specified conditions. For a material to meet EN 45545-2 requirements, the OI must be at least 28% (hazard classes HL1 and HL2) or at least 32% (HL3). Testing is performed on 20 replicate samples, with the required specimen size depending on the material: 80−150 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm for mould-made materials, such as plastics, 80−150 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm for porous materials, such as foams, 140 mm x 52 mm x d, where d < 10.5 mm, for flexible films, sheets, and fabrics.

The melting behavior of fusible materials used in certain motor vehicles must be determined according to Annex 7 of UN/ECE Regulation 118. In the test, it is monitored whether the specimen ignites, creates flaming droplets, and if these droplets ignite cotton wool placed under the specimen. For the material to pass the test, there must be no formation of flaming drops that ignite the cotton wool. Measurlabs can offer accredited test reports for the UN/ECE R118 Annex 7 test, as well as the Annex 6 and Annex 8 tests. Non-isotropic materials must be tested from both sides, which means that double the number of samples is required.

Qualitative or comparative analysis of crystalline powders using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The analysis is only suitable for materials with at least one crystalline phase.

The burning rate of vertically mounted materials designed for vehicles and buses must be tested with the UN/ECE R118 Annex 8 test before approval for use. Measurlabs offers this and other accredited R118 fire tests. Upon meeting the requirements outlined in Annex 8, the requirements for horizontal flame spread (annex 6) are also met. In the test method, the exposed side of the vertically mounted test specimen is burned from underneath and the burning rate is measured in mm/min.

ISO 5658-2 outlines a method for measuring the lateral flame spread along building and transport products placed in a vertical position. In the test, several representative sample specimens are exposed to a radiant heat flux, and the reaction to this is observed. Measured parameters include the time of ignition, the time of extinction, and the time it takes for the flame front to travel specified distances along the specimen. The results will also include the critical flux at extinguishment (CFE), measured in kW/m2. The CFE is required information when evaluating the reaction-to-fire characteristics of certain components used on trains according to EN 45545-2.

Test of 1 bottle at 20 °C with Malvern Spraytec to characterize particle sizes between 0.1 µm and 900 µm with a standard distance between the nozzle and the laser beam. The results are reported for 3 repeat shots. Particle size distribution histograms, percent finers (Dv10, Dv50, Dv90), and % of particles smaller than 5 µm, 10 µm, and 50 µm are reported. Providing two 100% charge spray bottles per analysis is recommended for aerosols. Contact us for a quote and more information on analyses under nonstandard conditions.

ICP-MS elemental analysis for geological samples (rocks, ore, mining samples) with aqua regia digestion. The analysis includes the following elements: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn and Zr. The following rare earth elements (REE) are also included: Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, and Yb. Gold determinations by this method are semi-quantitative due to the small sample weight used. The price does not include pretreatment, such as crushing or sieving. Shipping included up to 5 kg total weight, extra cost for larger shipments.

ICP-MS elemental analysis for geological samples (rocks, ore, mining samples) with Four Acid digestion. The analysis includes the following elements: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn and Zr The following rare earth elements (REE) are also included: Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, and Yb Lead (Pb) isotope analysis is available for an extra cost (20 €) The price does not include pretreatment, such as crushing or sieving. Additional logistics costs are billed if the sample weighs more than 5 kg.

European standard EN 717-1 outlines a chamber method for measuring formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels. During testing, test pieces are placed in a chamber with controlled temperature, relative humidity, loading factor, and air exchange rate. Formaldehyde concentration in the air is then measured at specified intervals until a steady state concentration has been reached. The results are expressed in mg/m3. The EN 717-1 method is equivalent to that described in Appendix 14 to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1464, which states that certain formaldehyde-releasing articles must not be placed on the market after 6 August 2026. To comply with the regulation, materials must not release formaldehyde in excess of the following values: 0.062 mg/m3 for furniture and wood-based articles, 0.080 mg/m3 for articles other than furniture and wood-based articles.

European standard EN 12086 specifies a testing procedure to determine the water vapor transmission rate, permeance, and permeability of construction products, particularly those used in thermal insulation applications. Testing according to EN 12086 is typically required to show that several categories of building products meet the applicable harmonized technical specifications, making them eligible for the CE marking. Examples of products that may require testing include: Screed materials (EN 13813), Factory-made thermal insulation products, including mineral wool (EN 13162), expanded polystyrene (EN 13163), extruded polystyrene foam (EN 13164), rigid polyurethane foam (EN 13165), phenolic foam (EN 13166), cellular glass (EN 13167), wood wool (EN 13168), and wood fiber (EN 13171). . The higher displayed price applies to the first sample, while the lower price applies to subsequent samples delivered in the same sample set. Do not hesitate to ask for a custom offer for large testing projects.

The EN 17084 standard outlines two ways to evaluate the toxicity potential of combustion products that are formed when a material intended for railway applications burns: ISO 5659-2 Smoke chamber test, used to determine the Conventional Index of Toxicity (CITG) of products that cover large surface areas., NF X70-100 Tube furnace test, used to determine the CIT of non-listed products, i.e., small-mass minor components.. We offer both of these tests, along with others described in the EN 45545-2 standard on the fire behavior of railway materials. Please contact our experts for more information and a quote for the full set of tests.

Cement material heat of hydration test using Isothermal Conduction Calorimetry (ICC) according to standard EN 196-11.

Determination of methane transmission rate of plastic films and sheet-like materials with the differential pressure method (ISO 15105-1). Testing is performed on two parallel samples. Measurement temperature can be chosen from 0 °C to 200 °C with a relative humidity of 0%. Fragile samples can be measured with the equal pressure method (ISO 15105-2) for an additional fee.

Toxicity testing according to NF X 70-100-1 and -2 standards is performed to determine the Conventional Index of Toxicity for non-listed products (CITNLP) used on trains. Testing is needed to meet requirements R22 and R23, as specified in standard EN 45545-2 on the fire behavior of materials used in railway vehicles. The method described in NF X 70-100-2 corresponds to Method 2 under the EN 17084 standard. During the analysis, the sample is burned in a tube furnace at 600 °C, and toxic smoke emissions evolving from the sample are collected and analyzed. The concentrations of the following eight gases are measured and used to calculate the CITNLP parameter: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydrogen fluoride (HF), Hydrogen chloride (HCl), Hydrogen bromide (HBr), Hydrogen cyanide (HCN), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrous oxide (NOx), including both NO2 and NO, expressed as NO2.