Microtrac introduced the first commercial laser diffraction particle size analyzer in 1974. As PSA instrument sales business grew, it was realized that not all companies required instrumentation, but did have a need for periodic particle size distribution measurements from experts in the laser particle sizing field. Today, laser measurements are considered to be the most widely used technique for obtaining reliable distributions relating the volume and mass of particles present in a material.

For over 30 years Microtrac has offered its laboratory to companies as a contract laser particle size measurement service. Its goal has been to exceed customer expectations of service and technical capability. Laser particle size measurements are available for almost any material where particle size is needed.

There are several turn-around times available: 2 week, 3-5 business days, 24 hour and same day. The laboratory schedule is dependent upon the needs of the customers and clients who have varying time schedules and timetables. The experience and knowledge of the Particle Laboratory staff allows sample preparation to be determined, data collected and transmitted in time to meet client deadlines. Data are transmitted by email (pdf format or Excel), US Mail and FAX depending upon client’s preference.

Often samples must be measured in organic solvents or perhaps in air as a dry powder. The Microtrac Particle Laboratory can perform measurements in nearly any fluid with very small amounts of material. Or, it can representatively sample a large quantity to obtain an analytical-size sample. We can adapt to the needs of our customers.

The laboratory uses Microtrac instruments for particle size and characterization analysis:

Nanotrac for particles as small as 1 nanometer
Microtrac for particles between 10 nanometers and 3 millimeters
DIA & DIAf for particles as large as 35 millimeters
Zetatrac & Zetaview for zeta potential or mobility analysis
Semtrac for image and element analysis 

We estimate that more than 75,000 samples have passed through the laboratory for particle size distribution measurement.