Material Properties Testing for Building Products

Our state-of-the-art, environmentally controlled materials laboratories can provide you with data specific to material properties, such as strength and stiffness, appearance, color and reflectance, physical performance, and durability.

Even a small change can make a big impact. By obtaining test data and understanding the material composition and performance criteria of your building products, you can feel confident you have made the most suitable material and design choices. From testing new product technology and verification of supplier formulation changes to confirming product compatibility and determining life-cycle durability, we have the industry experience and expertise to get you what you need to know.

Our laboratory houses tens of thousands square feet of environmentally controlled testing space staffed by engineers, chemists, and biologists. Our lab is supported by an in-house machine shop that can provide quick and accurate specimen preparations for testing. We know that fast turnaround times are often critical to your success, so we offer expedited services to meet your demands. Whether you're looking for quality control or standard lab test reports, technical reports for examination, inspection and evaluation, statistical analysis of lab or field data, or consultation on problems, obstacles, and risks, we've got you covered.

With over 125 years of experience in the testing, inspection and certification industry, Intertek is the solution to all your needs. Our materials lab employees have experience providing unmatched industry expertise and we are dedicated to helping you reach your goals and getting your product to market quickly and cost effectively.

Comprehensive Materials Testing Brochure

Forensics
Diagnose problems encountered during construction or service life due to lack of compatibility, durability, or failures.

Research and Development
Evaluate the effects that a change in supplier, formulation, or manufacturing process may have on your finished product.

Properties Tested

• Aesthetic
  Color, Gloss, Light Transmission, Reflectance, Surface Defects
• Durability
  Accelerated Weathering under UV, temperature and humidity variables, Corrosion Resistance (Salt Fog and High Humidity), Mechanical Service Life
• Environmental Effects
  Freeze/Thaw, Low/High Temperatures, UV Resistance, Exposure to Chemical Reagents (De-icing salts, Acid Rain)
• Mechanical/Physical
  Stiffness, Strength, Toughness, Hardness, Wear Resistance, Expansion/Contraction, Impact, Scratch/Wear Resistance, Compression, Shear, Tension, Bending, Deformation, Creep
• Flammability Properties
  Ignition Temperature, Rate of Burn, Combustibility
• Permeability
  Air permeance, Water Vapor Permeance

Products Tested

Intertek’s staff of engineers and technicians conduct components and materials test methods as established by AAMA, ASTM, UL, CAN/ULC, CSA, CAN/CGSB, ANSI, ICBO, SBCCI, BOCA, ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria, Metro -Dade County, SGCC, IGCC, DIN, ISO, SAI, People's Republic of China, Japanese Standards and other appropriate administrators . The following are some of the typically tested products.

• Doors and Windows
  Base Materials, Weather Resistance Components, core materials, and Coatings, and Operational Hardware
• Concrete and Stone
  Structural and Non-Structural Blocks, Cement, Ceramic and Terra Cotta Pavers and Panels/Tiles, Veneer Cladding Panels, and Anchors/Anchoring Systems
• Plastics
  Siding/Cladding Panels, Window Door and Trim Extrusions, Skylight Domes, composite decking and Laminated Glass Safety Interlayers
• Glass
  Insulated Glazing Units, safety glazing, guard rail components, special applications (fire rating, ballistic resistance, forced entry rated)
• Metals – Alloys
  Corrosion Protection Coatings, Fasteners, Building Expansion Joints, Guard rails, and Structural/Non-Structural Framing Members
• Wood
  Structural/non-structural members, decking, guard rails, sheathing, composites
• Coatings,
  Finishes, Adhesives, and Sealants – EIFS components, weatherbarriers.
• Insulation
  Mineral wool, EPS, XPS, GPS, Spray foam, fiberglass
• Specialty
  Medical, Maritime Vessels, Automotive Components and Military Devices

Codes or Specifications

Prove your products or materials meet the minimum building code requirements, material performance or project specifications.

Intertek’s Code Evaluation Program is a streamlined process. Our Code Compliance Research Report (CCRR), a technical report prepared by Intertek to address code compliance to USA & Canada markets, identifies the critical elements of the construction needed to meet the requirements of the code, helping the code officials to make a decision on approving products and systems when the product or system is an alternative under the code.

Intertek’s CCRR Program is fully accredited under ISO/IEC Standard 17065 and summarizes our review of a manufacturer’s data demonstrating code compliance of their product or system.

Certification

Qualify your product for an Intertek certification and other industry-recognized certification programs Our approach to obtaining certification is centered on you and your time-to-market goals. For fast turnaround, flexible services, global approvals, and innovative testing solutions that keep up with the speed of your business, partner with Intertek. With a wide range of engineers and subject matter experts across the world, we can help you with your Product Certification and Code Evaluation needs.

Certification proves your credibility in the market. To deliver that credibility, Intertek maintains extensive global accreditations and recognitions for our testing, inspection, and certification services. Our Warnock Hersey and ETL Marks are leading product safety and performance marks for building and construction products. As global markets continue to grow and expand, more consumers are seeking safe, reliable, and, increasingly, eco-conscious products. With both international and local proficiency, Intertek possesses the qualifications you need to get your products to market We offer certification programs that achieve market entry into a variety of global destinations, programs for an eco-friendlier environment, and programs to verify social accountability compliance for both you and your suppliers.

ETL Mark

The ETL Mark is one of North America’s most accepted and fastest growing certification marks. Utilized as a mark of conformance for both electrical and fire products, the ETL Mark is readily recognizable by authorities having jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada.

WH Mark

The Warnock Hersey Mark has long been one of the building product industry’s most recognizable certification marks and can be found on a variety of products including hearth, plumbing, fire doors, and windows.