Sample requirements — what to send us
Almost no acoustic laboratory publishes this, which means most first enquiries arrive without enough information to quote. Here is what we need, for each test, before you cut any material.
| Test | Specimen | Quantity | Decide before cutting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound absorption (ISO 354 / ASTM C423) | 10–12 m² continuous area, typically 3.6 × 3.0 m | One specimen per mounting condition | Mounting: Type A, Type E-200 or Type J |
| Impedance tube (ISO 10534-2) | Cut discs at 100, 30 and/or 16 mm diameter | Minimum 3 per tube size | Which frequency range matters to you |
| Airborne sound insulation (ISO 10140-2 / ASTM E90) | Full assembly to fill the test aperture | One, plus fixings and seals | Whether you need Rw or STC |
| Impact sound (ISO 10140-3 / ASTM E492) | Floor covering to cover the standard floor | One, plus adhesive or fixing system | Bare-slab reference or full build-up |
| Sound power (ISO 3744 / 3745 / IEC 60704) | The complete product as sold, plus power supply and any required load | One, two if a duplicate is available | Operating condition and duty cycle |
| Airflow resistance (ISO 9053) | Cut discs to the rig diameter | Minimum 3 | Thickness and density to be reported |
Mounting: the decision that changes your result most
- Type A — specimen laid directly against a rigid backing, no air gap. Use this if the product is installed flat against a wall or slab.
- Type E-200 — specimen mounted with a 200 mm air cavity behind it. This substantially raises measured low-frequency absorption. Use it only if the product is genuinely installed with a cavity.
- Type J — specimen mounted in a suspended ceiling grid. Use this for ceiling tiles and rafts.
Packing, shipping and customs
- Label every specimen clearly with a product reference we can quote in the report.
- Send the product datasheet, nominal thickness and density with the specimen.
- Protect edges — a crushed edge on an absorption specimen changes the result.
- Keep material dry. Porous absorbers take up humidity and measure differently when damp.
- For regional clients: declare specimens as samples for laboratory testing, not for sale. We can supply a letter for customs on request.
- Shipping a 10 m² specimen from Manila, Jakarta, Hanoi or Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok is faster and cheaper than to Singapore, the EU or the US.