Materials Metric | Advanced Materials Characterization & Analytical Testing Services and Scientific Consulting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Working With Materials Metric

What does Materials Metric do?

Materials Metric is an ISO 9001:2015-certified materials testing laboratory providing analytical testing, materials characterization, failure analysis, medical device testing support, and regulatory-focused scientific services. We help companies understand what their materials are made of, why a product failed, whether a material meets specifications, and what testing may be needed for quality, product development, or regulatory submissions.

Our work supports medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, polymer, manufacturing, consumer product, aerospace, energy, and other advanced materials projects.

Materials Metric offers a range of analytical and materials testing services, including:

  • Chemical characterization
  • Extractables and leachables support
  • FTIR and Raman spectroscopy
  • SEM imaging and SEM-EDS elemental analysis
  • TEM imaging
  • XPS surface analysis
  • DSC, TGA, and DMA thermal analysis
  • HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR support
  • Trace metal and elemental analysis
  • Polymer and plastic analysis
  • Coating and surface characterization
  • Contamination and residue identification
  • Failure analysis and root cause investigations
  • Corrosion and wear-related testing
  • Biocompatibility and preclinical testing support
  • Antimicrobial and in vitro assay support
  • Additive manufacturing testing and analysis
  • Customized testing solutions
  • Product formulation and deformulation services

If you are unsure which test is appropriate, our team can help identify a practical testing approach based on your material, problem, budget, and timeline.

No. Medical device testing is one of our major service areas, but we also support many non-medical projects. Clients contact us for polymer analysis, unknown material identification, manufacturing defects, contamination, coating problems, corrosion, wear, raw material verification, product development, and quality investigations. We also assist with supplier qualification, competitive product benchmarking, material selection studies, process validation support, environmental exposure evaluations, packaging assessments, and troubleshooting issues that arise during manufacturing or field use. Our team works with organizations ranging from startups and research institutions to established manufacturers seeking independent analytical expertise and data-driven insights.

Yes. Many clients come to us with a problem rather than a specific test method. For example, they may need to know what a residue is, why a part cracked, whether a coating is present, or whether a material has changed after processing.

We review the sample information, project goal, available background data, and any regulatory or quality requirements before recommending a testing plan.

Yes. We can provide analytical testing, technical reports, and documentation that may support FDA submissions, design verification, supplier qualification, biological evaluation planning, chemical characterization, and risk assessment workflows.

For medical device projects, we can also help clients think through testing needs related to ISO 10993, extractables and leachables, material characterization, biocompatibility documentation, and biocompatibility testing.

Some studies may require GLP compliance, while others may not. GLP requirements depend on the study purpose, regulatory pathway, and intended use of the data. Materials Metric can discuss whether GLP, ISO 17025, research-use, development-use, or quality-control testing is most appropriate for your project.

If GLP testing is specifically required, please tell us during the project scoping stage so we can confirm the appropriate study design and documentation pathway.

Materials Metric operates under an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system. This supports controlled processes, documentation, traceability, and consistent project execution.

If your project requires a specific accreditation or compliance framework, please let us know before testing begins.

Quotes, Pricing, and Project Setup

How do I request a quote?

You can request a quote by contacting Materials Metric through any of the following methods:

To help us prepare an accurate estimate, please provide:

  • Your name, company, and contact information
  • A brief description of the sample or product
  • Any test method, standard, or regulatory requirement
  • Number of samples
  • Desired turnaround time
  • Whether you need raw data, a summary report, or a formal technical report
  • Any safety concerns or SDS information

The more information you provide upfront, the faster we can prepare an accurate estimate.

Pricing depends on the type of analysis, number of samples, sample preparation needs, method development requirements, reporting level, turnaround time, whether GLP or non-GLP study execution is required, and whether regulatory-ready documentation is needed.

Simple screening tests are typically less expensive than multi-technique investigations, method development, extractables studies, GLP-compliant studies, or projects requiring detailed technical interpretation.

Yes. If you have a strict budget, let us know early. We can often suggest a phased approach, beginning with lower-cost screening or basic characterization before moving to more advanced testing.

For example, an unknown sediment or residue may first be evaluated using microscopy and basic characterization before adding SEM-EDS, FTIR, GC-MS, or other methods.

Yes. For clearly defined scopes, we generally provide an estimate before work begins. If the project is exploratory or may require additional testing based on initial findings, we can structure the work in phases so you can decide whether to continue after reviewing the initial results.

After you approve the estimate, you will need to ship your samples to us along with the completed sample submission form and any required payment or purchase order documentation. Shipping instructions and payment details are provided in the estimate. Once samples are received, we confirm sample condition, project scope, and testing schedule. Testing begins after the required approvals, documentation, and payment or purchase order arrangements are completed.

Samples and Shipping

Where should I send my samples?

Shipping instructions will be provided with your estimate or sample submission form. Samples may be shipped to:

Materials Metric
701 E Franklin St, Suite 105-1301
Richmond, VA 23219

Please do not ship samples before the project scope has been confirmed, especially if the material is hazardous, biological, regulated, perishable, or requires special handling.

Please include:

  • Completed sample submission form
  • Sample IDs that match the form
  • SDS or safety information, if applicable
  • Storage or handling instructions
  • Project estimate or reference number, if available
  • Contact name and email address
  • Any photos, drawings, specifications, or background notes relevant to the project

Samples should be packaged to prevent breakage, leakage, contamination, moisture exposure, or mix-up during transit. Each sample should be individually labeled and sealed. If the sample condition is important to the investigation, please document the condition with photos before shipment.

Materials Metric is not responsible for damage, contamination, or degradation that occurs during shipping.

It depends on the material and the requested testing. Please contact us before shipping any hazardous, biological, infectious, sharp, pressurized, reactive, flammable, or unknown material. We may request SDS documentation or additional handling information before accepting the sample.

In many cases, yes. If you need samples returned, please tell us before testing begins in the sample submission form. Some tests are destructive, and some samples may be consumed, altered, sectioned, dissolved, extracted, or otherwise changed during analysis.

Return shipping costs may apply.

Sample retention depends on the project type, sample condition, safety requirements, and client instructions. Unless a specific retention plan is agreed upon, samples may be discarded 30 days after the project is completed.

Turnaround Time and Reporting

How long does testing take?

Turnaround time depends on the test method, number of samples, sample preparation, instrument availability, reporting needs, and whether multiple techniques are required.

Basic testing may be completed relatively quickly, while complex investigations, method development, chemical characterization, extractables studies, or toxicology-related workflows may take longer.

Rush testing is available for many services, subject to laboratory capacity, sample type, and project requirements. Expedited turnaround typically incurs additional fees. Please let us know if your project is urgent, requires a fast turnaround, or has a specific deadline when requesting a quote.

Report format depends on the project scope and is prepared in an ISO 9001:2015-aligned ALOCA format (Attributable, Legible, Original, Contemporaneous, and Accurate). Options may include:

  • Raw data packages
  • Summary of findings reports
  • Standard laboratory reports
  • Technical interpretation reports
  • Regulatory support reports
  • Failure analysis reports
  • Method-specific reports

All reports are generated under controlled documentation practices to support data integrity, traceability, and quality system requirements.

If you need a report for FDA, quality, litigation, supplier qualification, or internal R&D documentation, please tell us before testing begins.

Yes, most reports include interpretation of the results and what they mean in the context of your project. Some projects only require raw data or basic results. Others require scientific interpretation, comparison to a specification, root cause discussion, or recommendations for next steps.

We can tailor the reporting level based on your needs.

Yes. We can schedule a technical discussion to review results, explain findings, and discuss possible next steps. For complex projects, consultation time may be included in the estimate or added separately.

Medical Device and Biocompatibility Support

Can Materials Metric help with ISO 10993 testing strategy?

Yes. We can help clients develop a testing strategy for medical device biological evaluation and coordinate the studies commonly used to support compliance with ISO 10993. Our team provides guidance on chemical characterization, extractables and leachables assessments, cytotoxicity evaluations (ISO 10993-5), irritation evaluations (ISO 10993-23), sensitization evaluations (ISO 10993-10), and other biocompatibility endpoints based on the device type, nature, and duration of patient contact, and applicable regulatory expectations.

We can also review available material, manufacturing, sterilization, and prior testing information to help determine which ISO 10993 endpoints are relevant, identify potential data gaps, and support the development of a Biological Evaluation Plan and an overall testing strategy.

Chemical characterization identifies and, when appropriate, quantifies chemical constituents that may be extracted or released from a medical device or material. It is commonly used to support biocompatibility evaluation, toxicological risk assessment, and regulatory submissions.

Testing may involve extraction under defined conditions followed by analytical methods such as GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, FTIR, or other techniques depending on the device and study design.

Exhaustive extraction is a repeated extraction process used to remove extractable chemicals from a material until most extractables have been recovered. It is often used in medical device chemical characterization when the goal is to understand the total extractable chemical profile under defined laboratory conditions.

The stopping point is usually based on whether additional extraction cycles recover only a small fraction of the total extractables compared with earlier cycles.

Materials Metric can support toxicological risk assessment workflows through chemical characterization data, documentation, and coordination with qualified toxicology experts when needed. If a full toxicological risk assessment is required, please state this during project scoping.

Yes. We can assist with scientific and technical documentation to support biological evaluation planning and reporting. The scope depends on the device, patient contact type, contact duration, materials, manufacturing process, sterilization, prior testing, and regulatory pathway.

The ISO 10993-1:2025 update emphasizes that device contact duration should be evaluated based on cumulative use rather than considering each individual use in isolation. For devices that contact the patient repeatedly, manufacturers should assess the total cumulative exposure over the intended use period when determining the appropriate contact category and biological evaluation strategy.

For example, a device used multiple times over days, weeks, or months may be classified differently than a single-use device with the same duration of contact per use. The cumulative duration can affect which biocompatibility endpoints require evaluation and what supporting data may be needed for regulatory submissions.

Materials Metric can help review your device’s intended use, frequency of use, patient-contact characteristics, and cumulative exposure profile to determine the most appropriate biological evaluation approach under current ISO 10993 guidance.

Testing Methods and Technical Questions

Can you identify an unknown contaminant or residue?

Yes. Unknown material identification is a common request. Depending on the sample, we may recommend microscopy, SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman, GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, or other methods.

Examples include white residue, black particles, sediment, film, discoloration, corrosion products, polymer fragments, oily deposits, or manufacturing debris.

Yes. We can use a combination of spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis, elemental analysis, and surface analysis to help identify or compare materials.

Yes. Comparative analysis is often useful in failure investigations. Testing a failed sample alongside a known good sample can help identify chemical, structural, thermal, surface, or contamination differences.

Often, yes. Many analytical methods can work with small sample amounts, but the feasibility depends on the technique and the detection limits needed. Send photos and approximate dimensions when requesting a quote.

Some tests are non-destructive, while others are partially or fully destructive. For example, microscopy may preserve much of the sample, while extraction, cross-sectioning, digestion, tensile testing, or thermal analysis may consume or alter it.

Please tell us if the sample is limited, irreplaceable, or must be returned intact.

Yes. Materials Metric can support formulation and deformulation projects for polymers, coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, medical device materials, consumer products, and specialty chemicals. Deformulation involves identifying and characterizing the components of an existing product, while formulation support may involve evaluating ingredients, comparing formulations, troubleshooting performance issues, or assisting with product development. The specific analytical approach depends on the material and project objectives.

Yes. Not every project fits within a standard test method. Materials Metric can design customized testing strategies that combine multiple analytical techniques, sample preparation approaches, and reporting requirements to address unique technical, quality, manufacturing, regulatory, or research questions. We work with clients to define project goals and develop a practical testing plan tailored to their specific needs.

Confidentiality and Data

Do you keep client information confidential?

Yes. Materials Metric treats client projects, samples, results, and technical information as confidential. If your company requires an NDA before discussion or sample submission, we can review and execute one before project details are shared.

The client owns the project data generated for their submitted samples, subject to the agreed project terms. Materials Metric maintains records as required by its quality system and applicable project requirements.

Yes. We can send reports and data to approved contacts. If multiple team members need access, please identify them during project setup.

Payments and Administrative Questions

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes. Materials Metric can work with purchase orders for approved clients. Please send the PO before testing begins unless other payment terms have been arranged.

Payment options may include ACH, check, credit card, wire transfer, Zelle, or other approved methods. Payment instructions are provided with the invoice or estimate.

Payment terms depend on the project type, client account status, and estimate terms. Some projects may require payment before testing begins, while established clients may use approved payment terms.

Still Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out to us by email at info@materialsmetric.com or by phone at 804-404-6414 if you have any questions, are unsure about your testing needs, or would like guidance on the best testing approach for your project. Our team is happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

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