Deliver High-Performing Products to Market
Intertek provides accredited, 3rd party microbiological resistance, chemical resistance and permeation testing across a wide range of products and materials—from personal protective equipment (PPE) to products, fabrics, coatings, and industrial components.
Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories deliver chemical and biological resistance testing programs providing critical insights during product development, quality control, and compliance certification—ensuring your products can withstand challenging exposure conditions while meeting applicable global standards.
Microbiological Resistance Testing
Intertek provides microbiological hazard testing to assess a material’s resistance to bloodborne pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. This is critical for protective clothing used in healthcare, biohazard cleanup, and laboratory settings.
Key test methods include:
- ASTM F1670: Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood
- ASTM F1671: Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Bloodborne Pathogens (Phi-X174 bacteriophage)
- NFPA 1950: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Emergency Medical Operations (single-use and reusable EMS garments)
- NFPA 1952: Standard on Surface Water Rescue Protective Ensembles
- NFPA 1953: Standard on Dive/Water Rescue Protective Clothing Ensembles
- NFPA 1990: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies (consolidates NFPA 1991, 1992, 1994)
- NFPA 1999: Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations
- EN 14126: Protective Clothing Performance Requirements and Test Methods for Protective Clothing Against Infective Agents
- ISO 16603: Protective Clothing — Determination of the Resistance of Materials to Penetration by Blood and Body Fluids — Test Method Using Synthetic Blood
- ISO 16604: Protective Clothing — Determination of Resistance of Materials to Penetration by Bloodborne Pathogens — Test Method Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage
- ANSI/AAMI PB70: Liquid Barrier Performance and Classification of Protective Apparel and Drapes Intended for Use in Health Care Facilities
- FDA Submissions
These methods simulate real-world exposure through pressure-based fluid contact, continuous or intermittent fluid application, and microbial challenge testing. We assess barrier integrity, identifying potential weaknesses in seams, closures, or fabric structures.
Chemical Resistance Testing
Intertek tests materials and finished products for their ability to withstand both short-term and long-term chemical exposure. Products may be subjected to a wide range of substances, including acids, alkalis, solvents, fuels, oils, cleaners, disinfectants, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Exposure methods are tailored to simulate splash, immersion, vapor contact, or surface wipes, and can be performed under ambient, elevated, or sub-zero temperatures to reflect expected use environments.
After exposure, materials are evaluated for physical changes such as cracking, swelling, blistering, or delamination; mechanical properties like tensile strength, mass change, and dimensional stability; and visual or surface degradation including color shift, gloss loss, or reduced transparency.
Intertek conducts chemical permeation and penetration testing on a wide range of PPE products, including gloves, coveralls, aprons, full-body suits, and more. Our labs test to internationally recognized methods, supporting NIOSH, CE Marking and FDA 510(k) submissions.
- ASTM F739: Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases Through Protective Clothing Materials Under Conditions of Continuous Contact
- ASTM F903: Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
- ISO 6529: Protective Clothing, Protection Against Chemicals, Determination of Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids and Gases
- EN 374-3 / EN ISO 374-1: Protective Gloves Against Dangerous Chemicals and Micro-Organisms, Determination of Resistance to Permeation by Chemicals
- NFPA 1950: Standard for Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting
- NFPA 1952: Standard on Surface Water Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment
- NFPA 1953: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Contaminated Water Diving
- NFPA 1990: Standard for Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials and CBRN Terrorism Incidents
- NFPA 1991: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
- NFPA 1992: Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
- NFPA 1994: Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents
- NFPA 1999: Standard on Protective Clothing and Ensembles for Emergency Medical Operations
Testing is performed using standard chemicals or client-specified substances to simulate real-world exposure scenarios in industrial, healthcare, and emergency response environments.
Intertek’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories deliver precise data to help Industrial Hygienists, manufacturers, and defense contractors select PPE that ensures worker safety, meets global standards, and evaluates PPE for OSHA compliance.
Key features include:
- Standards: ASTM F739, ASTM F903
- Metrics: Normalized Breakthrough Time (NBT) at 1.0 µg/cm²/min, permeation rates, material degradation, time weighted average (TWA), and acute exposure guideline levels (AEGL)
- Custom Testing: Tailored to workplace chemicals (e.g., VOCs, acids) and conditions (e.g., temperature, exposure duration).
- Applications: Evaluates PPE for OSHA compliance and worker safety.
Intertek supports both MIL-STD-810 Method 504.3 and RTCA DO-160 Section 13; industry-leading standards for evaluating how defense and aerospace equipment withstands exposure to operational chemicals and fluids.
MIL-STD-810 Method 504.3: This method assesses resistance to chemical contamination commonly encountered in military environments, ensuring mission-critical equipment maintains integrity and performance.
RTCA DO-160 Section 13: DO-160 Section 13 focuses on fluid contamination affecting aerospace components, verifying chemical compatibility and durability under aviation-specific exposure scenarios.
Fluids Commonly Tested Include:
- Hydraulic fluid (MIL-PRF-83282, MIL-PRF-5606)
- Diesel, gasoline, and jet fuels (JP-8, JP-5)
- Lubricants, cleaning agents, insect repellents, deicers
- Corrosive fluids and chemical warfare agents (simulants)
Testing can include long-term immersion, splash exposure, wipe testing, or simulated mission contamination cycles. Results support ruggedization, durability, and military and aerospace procurement requirements.
Intertek provides chemical resistance testing for a wide range of industrial components used in harsh environments, helping manufacturers validate performance, durability, and safety across critical sectors such as:
- Oil and gas
- Power generation
- Water treatment
- HVAC
- Construction
We evaluate products like metal coatings, rubber seals, coated pipes, chemical tanks, linings, gaskets, and membranes for resistance to aggressive chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between chemical permeation and chemical penetration testing?
Permeation refers to the molecular diffusion of chemicals through material over time, while penetration is the bulk movement of substances through seams, closures, or material imperfections.
What is the detection sensitivity for permeation testing?
Our testing methods can detect chemical permeation rates as low as 0.1 µg/cm²/min, ensuring accurate assessment of barrier performance even under minimal exposure levels.
Can you test any product against client-specified chemicals?
Yes. In addition to standard challenge chemicals, Intertek can conduct custom testing using specific chemicals relevant to your product’s intended environment, ensuring relevant results.
How does Intertek ensure compliance?
Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs test to standards like ASTM F739, NFPA 1990, and MIL-STD-810, supporting OSHA, EU, and ITAR requirements.
What types of chemicals can be tested?
We offer testing with standard challenge agents (acids, bases, solvents, oils) or client-specified substances including fuels, disinfectants, and industry-specific chemicals.
Can I use one test method for all my product lines?
Different standards apply to different materials, applications, and regulatory pathways. Our experts help identify the right test plan based on your product and market.
Can you support defense contractors with MIL-STD-810 testing?
Yes. We offer full support for Method 504.3 chemical compatibility testing and can align test setups to operational mission profiles.
What samples are required for testing?
Sample requirements depend on the specific test being performed. Sample sizes can range from as small as 10 cm × 10 cm material swatches up to full garments or assembled products.
You may be interested in...
