Particle Testing Authority

About the Particle Testing Authority

The Particle Testing Authority is an ISO 17025 accredited, GMP compliant, FDA registered and inspected contract laboratory specializing in the characterization of fine powders and solid material. Part of Micromeritics Instrument Corp, a leading provider of materials characterization solutions, PTA uses Micromeritics instrumentation alongside complementary technology from other world class suppliers to deliver cost-efficient, reliable analysis optimally tailored to each application. With over 55 years of experience PTA has a track record of excellence and is a trusted supplier to customers across the powder processing industries including the pharmaceutical, chemical, coating, catalyst, mineral and polymer sectors.

PTA’s testing services extend from comprehensive particle characterization, including particle size/shape, pore volume, surface area and density, to bulk powder testing, with dynamic testing capabilities for quantifying powder flowability. Projects run from single sample analysis to complex method development, method validation, new product assessment, and the analytical support required for large scale manufacturing projects. An experienced, highly trained team of scientists, engineers, and lab technicians works closely with every client to ensure that all analytical requirements are rapidly and responsively addressed. The customer experience is further enhanced by PTA’s access to globally recognized instrumentation and application expertise in Micromeritics, and by close collaboration with highly reputable labs working in complementary areas.

The scientists at PTA are globally recognized for their contributions to research in particle characterization as well as their development of technologies and applications spanning several industries. Furthermore, they serve on expert committees and guest-lecture at various universities and research centers. Backed by Micromeritics Instrumentation Corporation, we have the most up-to-date technology for conducting excellent and reliable analyses whether your projects are simple or complex. With such a combination, Particle Testing Authority’s accredited laboratory will provide you with world-class service every time.

We provide expedited results without compromise to completeness or quality.

30+
analytical techniques

25+
materials

10+
serving different locations

PTA’s lab technicians, scientists, and engineers will work closely with each client to understand their needs, the priority of their request, and the information necessary to make informed decisions.

Our approach is based on responsiveness and flexibility in delivering high-quality data and full reporting. A senior member of our analytical team is available to review your results and assist in interpretation of the supplied data to ensure that our results are pertinent and aligned with your project needs.

Submit your sample

Micromeritics’ Particle Testing Authority serves the needs of a wide range of industries in: pharmaceuticals, energy storage, filtration, catalysts, coatings, chemicals, petrochemicals, paper, polymers, minerals, industrial powders, and many other applications.

We provide a comprehensive range of characterization services whether it is the analysis of a single sample, a complex method development or validation, new product assessments, or addressing large-scale manufacturing projects.

To submit a sample, please follow the steps below:

Price list: select the appropriate analyses from the price list
Terms and conditions: review the Terms and Conditions for US sample submissions or EU sample submissions
Requirements: Review the sample submission requirements below
Form submission: Fill out the Sample Submission Form and print a copy to be submitted with the sample(s)
Shipping: Ship your samples, the Sample Submission Form, a copy of the Purchase Order, and the MSDS to: 4356 Communications Drive, Norcross, GA 30093

New customers: if you’re a first-time customer, please click here and fill out the form so we can set up your account. This is only required for new customers.

Attention

Please ensure all samples have an SDS and that the SDS is placed in a packing slip envelope on the exterior of the package. Failure to provide an SDS on the Exterior of the package will result in process delays, or the return of your samples without the sample being processed.

Be sure to package your sample(s) carefully for the safety of our staff and the integrity of your data.

Please do not ship samples using the US Postal Service.

Sample submission requirements

The following information is to be used when submitting samples to Particle Testing Authority (PTA). The quantities noted are for typical analysis and includes enough material to repeat an analysis if necessary.

A sample submission form is needed for all projects. Please include either a purchase order or credit card number for billing purposes. If you are a new customer, please also fill out our on-line customer information form to get your account set-up. (Please note: Services for customers outside the US are pre-pay only). The more information you can supply about your sample the faster we can get the results back to you. We have to make critical decisions prior to analyzing your sample and the more information we have, the better our ability to choose correctly and obtain quality results on the first try. Samples submitted for gas adsorption or BET surface area should also include information about a proper degas or preparation procedure, in particular, any temperature sensitivity. Samples submitted for particle size should also include information about how to properly disperse the sample. For chemisorption projects, we need to know the proper preparation procedure and analysis gas prior to analysis. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact us to discuss the options.

General requirements: It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure the sample supplied is representative of the entire sample. PTA is responsible for using an appropriate aliquot of material as received.
Analysis method development usually requires at least three times the recommended minimum sample quantity and is not included in the list price for analysis.
Identify each sample and give chemical name if available. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) are required for our safety!
Please provide sample preparation and/or analysis procedures if known. This is especially important if trying to duplicate a previous analyses or customer results.
Some tests are destructive, so if you require your sample to be returned for additional testing, please indicate that on the sample submission form.
Particle size analysis: Sedimentation: Please supply 10 to 15 grams or powder or 500 ml of slurry material. Material density and liquid viscosity values are required for analyses. Include identification of any surfactants present.
Laser Light Scattering: Please supply at least 2 grams of material. It is also important to note what analysis liquid is recommended to disperse your sample and how much energy should be applied to break up any agglomeration. Dry powder dispersion is also available if needed. If previously analyzed please provide dry dispersion information.
Electrical Sensing Zone Technique: Please Supply at least 2 grams of powder or 200 ml of low concentration slurry.
Dynamic Light Scattering: Please supply at least 10 ml of colloidal suspension or emulsion.
Sieve Analysis or Dynamic Image Analysis: Please supply at least 100 grams of dry granular material.
Density: Gas density: Requires at least 0.1 cc of true sample volume. The maximum size must fit inside a cylinder 46 mm wide and 61 mm tall. For liquids, the vapor pressure must be no higher than the vapor pressure of water. For foam density, supply enough material to cut two 1 inch cubes, and give the density of the solid unexpanded resin used to make the foam.
Envelope or T.A.P. density: Sample should be at least 3 mm in diameter and no larger than 1.5 inches. Sample should also contain at least 0.5 cc of envelope volume for the best results. Supply absolute sample density if specific pore volume and percent porosity is desired. PTA can determine the absolute density if desired.
Hg Density: The sample must fit inside a cylinder 25 mm wide and 25 mm deep
Specific surface area, porosimetry by gas adsorption: Please supply 5 grams of material. Depending on the technique requested, between 0.5 and 10 m² of total surface is needed for each analysis. Lower surface area materials can be analyzed but may require Kr gas. Sample should fit inside a 9 mm sample tube.
Mercury porosimetry: Please supply 5 grams or 5 solid pieces of material. The largest solid sample should fit inside a 25 mm x 25 mm cylinder. Any information regarding approximate porosity or pore volume will be very helpful.
Chemisorption studies: Typical analysis requires 3 grams of sample; however some experiments require only 100 milligrams. Please identify the type of study desired (pulse/dynamic or volumetric), the chemisorptive gas (H₂, CO, O₂, N₂O, NH₃, etc), and the amount of metal present. Include any additional information about the support, analysis temperature, pretreatment temperatures and pretreatment reactions.

Sample Turnaround Times

Turnaround times are typical for most projects, but exclusions apply.

Normal (Typically within 7 business days)	List Price
Priority (Typically 2 to 4 business days)	List Price + 50% surcharge
Rush (Next sample analyzed)	List Price+ 200% surcharge

Sample Disposal and Returns

There is a flat carrier fee of $80 USD for domestic sample returns. Domestic hazard material flat fee is $280 USD. International sample return flat fee is $160 USD. International hazard material flat fee is $495 USD. Samples can be returned using a customer carrier account, or at the customer’s expense, provided correct shipping and payment information is received. FedEx service is used for all international returns.

All hazardous materials will be returned to customers. SDS are required for all samples.

Available analytical techniques

Particle Size Distribution
Particulate Count
Nanoparticle Size
B.E.T Surface Area
Pore Size Distribution
Porosity
Micropore Analysis
Pore Volume Distribution
Total Pore Volume
Dynamic Void Volume
Bulk and Tapped Density
Skeletal Density
Envelope Density
Dynamic Water Vapor Sorption
Active Surface Area
Percent Metal Dispersion
High Pressure Adsorption
Isosteric Heat of Adsorption
Temperature Programmed Reactions
Acid Site Characterization by Ammonia TPD
Basic Site Characterization by CO2 TPD
Heat of Desorption
Powder Flow Properties
Zeta Potential
Isoelectric Point Determination
Method Development/ Validation/ Verification
Consulting Services
Microscopy
SEM-EDX
TEM

Locations and accreditations

PTA is based in Norcross, Georgia, USA
4356 Communications Dr. Norcross, GA 30093

Tel.: +1 770 662-3636
mas@particletesting.com

Laboratory Manager: (770) 624-3370
Quality Manager: (770) 662-3663