Introduction to Glass Particle Standards
Applied Physics Corporation's 9000 Series Borosilicate Glass Particle Standards represent the gold standard in calibration materials for scientific and industrial applications.
These highly uniform glass microspheres provide researchers and quality control professionals with NIST-traceable standards essential for precise instrument calibration and consistent experimental results.
The comprehensive size range from 5μm to 2000μm makes these standards suitable for diverse applications across multiple industries, from microscopy to advanced materials research. Each particle size is meticulously calibrated using rigorous methodology to ensure exceptional reliability for critical measurement needs.
What Makes the 9000 Series Standards Unique?
NIST Traceability – Unmatched Reliability
The 9000 Series standards are calibrated using Applied Physics’s NIST™-traceable microscopy methods, ensuring an unbroken chain of calibration to national standards.
This traceability is essential for laboratories that need validated measurement protocols and documented quality assurance.
Each package includes a Certificate of Calibration and Traceability to NIST™, which provides:
- Detailed description of the calibration method
- Uncertainty measurements
- Table of chemical and physical properties
- Material Safety Data Sheet with handling instructions.
Superior Physical Properties
Borosilicate Glass (5μm-20μm):
- Particle density: 2.5-2.55 g/cm³
- Refractive index: 1.56 at 589nm (25°C)
- Excellent thermal stability
- Superior chemical resistance.
Soda Lime Glass (30μm-2000μm):
- Particle density: 2.4-2.5 g/cm³
- Refractive index: 1.51 at 589nm (25°C)
- High mechanical durability
- Cost-effective for larger particle sizes.
Precision Engineering – Consistent Results
The spherical shape of these glass particles is specifically designed to reduce response variation in analytical systems, which can often be affected by irregularly shaped particles.
This attention to shape ensures that calibration relies on actual size parameters rather than errors caused by different shapes.
What are the specifications of the 9000 series?
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | High-purity Borosilicate Glass |
| Particle Size Range | 2 µm to 200 µm |
| Size Distribution | Monodisperse (narrow size distribution) |
| Shape | Spherical or near-spherical particles |
| Refractive Index | ~1.51 ± 0.01 |
| Density | ~2.23 g/cm³ |
| Chemical Resistance | High resistance to most acids and solvents |
| Thermal Stability | Can withstand high temperatures without deformation |
| Certifications | NIST traceable / Certificate of Analysis included |
| Packaging | Clean glass vial, sealed to avoid contamination |
| Applications | Instrument calibration, filtration testing, cleanroom validation, metrology |
| Shelf Life | 3+ years (under recommended storage conditions). |
Complete Size Range and Specifications
Micro Range (5μm-20μm)
The micro range utilizes borosilicate glass for applications requiring a higher refractive index and exceptional chemical stability:
| Part# | Nominal Size | Size Peak | Uniformity | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP9002 | 5μm (5 microns) | 5μm (5 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| APCD9005 | 8μm (8 microns) | 8μm (8 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9008 | 15μm (15 microns) | 15μm (15 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9015 | 20μm (20 microns) | 20μm (20 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
Intermediate Range (30μm-200μm)
The intermediate range uses soda lime glass for excellent optical properties and stability:
| Part# | Nominal Size | Size Peak | Uniformity | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP9020 | 30μm (30 microns) | 30μm (30 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9030 | 40μm (40 microns) | 40μm (40 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9040 | 50μm (50 microns) | 50μm (50 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9050 | 60μm (60 microns) | 60μm (60 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9060 | 70μm (70 microns) | 70μm (70 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9070 | 80μm (80 microns) | 80μm (80 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9080 | 90μm (90 microns) | 90μm (90 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9090 | 100μm (100 microns) | 100μm (100 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9100 | 110μm (110 microns) | 110μm (110 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9110 | 120μm (120 microns) | 120μm (120 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9120 | 130μm (130 microns) | 130μm (130 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9140 | 140μm (140 microns) | 140μm (140 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9170 | 170μm (170 microns) | 170μm (170 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
| AP9200 | 200μm (200 microns) | 200μm (200 microns) | (less than 20%) | 1 Gram | $522.50 |
Macro Range (230μm-2000μm)
The macro range offers larger soda lime glass particles for specialized applications:
| Part# | Nominal Size | Size Peak | Uniformity | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP9230 | 230μm (230 microns) | 230μm (230 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9280 | 280μm (280 microns) | 280μm (280 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9330 | 330μm (330 microns) | 330μm (330 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9400 | 400μm (400 microns) | 400μm (400 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9480 | 480μm (480 microns) | 480μm (480 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9550 | 550μm (550 microns) | 550μm (550 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9650 | 650μm (650 microns) | 650μm (650 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9750 | 750μm (750 microns) | 750μm (750 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP9950 | 950μm (950 microns) | 950μm (950 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP91000 | 1000μm (1000 microns) | 1000μm (1000 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
| AP92000 | 2000μm (2000 microns) | 2000μm (2000 microns) | (Less than 20%) | 1 gram | $522.50 |
Applications in Scientific Fields
Instrument Calibration
These glass particle standards are mostly used for calibrating:
- Optical and electron microscopes
- Light scattering instruments
- Particle counters and analyzers
- Flow cytometers
- Laser diffraction systems.
Proper calibration maintains measurement accuracy across all instruments and laboratories, making reproducible research and quality control possible.
Materials Science Research
Researchers in materials science use these standards for:
- Developing particle characterization methods
- Validating theoretical models
- Serving as reference materials for new measurement techniques
- Providing quality control benchmarks for particle production.
Colloidal Systems and Suspension Studies
Because of their uniform particle size, these standards are ideal for:
- Studying particle behavior in suspensions
- Investigating sedimentation dynamics
- Analyzing light scattering phenomena.
- Examining particle-particle interactions.
Manufacturing Applications
In industrial settings, these standards are used as:
- Precision spacers to maintain uniform bond thickness
- Quality control references for particle-based products
- Calibration materials for production equipment
- Validation standards for manufacturing processes.
Benefits of Using 9000 Series Glass
-
High Precision Calibration: Monodisperse particles are of fixed size, making them ideal for testing the accuracy of scientific instruments like microscopes and particle counters.
-
Narrow Size Distribution: Each particle’s size falls within a tight tolerance — this ensures measurement results are consistent and reliable.
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NIST Traceability: Every batch comes with a NIST-traceable certificate, ensuring measurement compliance with international standards.
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Chemically Stable Material: Borosilicate glass provides chemical resistance and thermal stability, reducing the risk of contamination and increasing particle integrity.
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High Temperature Resistance: Glass particles tolerate high heat without melting or deforming — ideal for thermal system testing.
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Cleanroom Compatible Packaging: Particles are sealed in clean vials to allow contamination-free handling, especially for cleanroom environments.
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Long Shelf Life: Properly stored particles maintain their quality for three years or longer.
Advantages Over Alternative Materials
Comparison to Polystyrene Standards
While polystyrene particles are commonly used for calibration, glass microspheres offer significant advantages:
| Feature | Glass Microspheres | Polystyrene Microspheres |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent resistance to solvents and reagents | Can degrade in many organic solvents |
| Thermal Stability | Remain stable at higher temperatures | Limited temperature range |
| Mechanical Durability | Highly resistant to deformation | Can be easily deformed |
| Optical Properties | Stable refractive index | Can absorb certain wavelengths |
| Long-term Stability | Very minimal degradation over time | May degrade with extended storage. |
Environmental Considerations
Glass microspheres offer some environmental benefits, including:
- Longer usage life, so they need to be replaced less often
- Their material is inert
- The risk of contamination in sensitive applications is reduced.
How are 9000 series glass particle standards calibrated?
The calibration of 9000 Series Glass Particle Standards is a highly precise and controlled process. These particles are of fixed, certified sizes and are used to test the accuracy of scientific instruments such as microscopes, laser particle counters, and calibration systems.
The particle sample is introduced into the test setup during calibration, and the measured results are compared with the certified size standard. If the values match, the instrument is considered properly calibrated. These particles also come with a NIST-traceable certificate, making every measurement reliable and internationally recognized
Handling and Storage Instructions
Proper Storage Conditions
To maintain the quality of your glass particle standards:
- Store at room temperature
- Keep the bottle tightly sealed to prevent contamination
- Avoid exposure to high humidity
- Protect from physical shock.
Sample Preparation Guidelines
For best results when using the standards:
- Use appropriate dispersion methods for your application
- Avoid contamination during handling
- Follow the provided material safety guidelines
- Record lot numbers for your experimental records.
Expert Tips for Optimal Use
Maximizing Calibration Accuracy
To achieve the best calibration:
- Always use freshly prepared dispersions
- Use proper background correction
- Follow the specific calibration protocols of your instrument
- Verify calibration by checking it multiple times.
Extending the Utility of Your Standards
Get more value from your glass particle standards:
- Make a dilution series to get multiple calibration points
- Document baseline measurements for long-term instrument monitoring
- Use these standards as reference materials for training and method development.
Conclusion
Applied Physics Corporation's 9000 Series Borosilicate Glass Particle Standards offer precise, NIST-traceable calibration with exceptional uniformity and reliability. With a wide size range from 5μm to 2000μm, these microspheres ensure accurate, repeatable results for both scientific research and industrial applications — all backed by certified quality and expert support.
For bulk orders, technical inquiries, or to request a full specification sheet, contact our support team today:
FAQs
What are 9000 Series Borosilicate Glass Particle Standards used for?
9000 Series Borosilicate Glass Particle Standards are highly uniform glass microspheres used primarily for the calibration of microscopes, light scattering instruments, and other particle-measuring equipment. They are also utilized in laser light scattering studies, colloidal systems research, and precision spacer applications where uniform bond thickness is needed.
What sizes and materials are available in the 9000 Series?
The 9000 Series offers particle standards from 5μm to 2000μm. Sizes from 2μm to 20μm are made from borosilicate glass, while sizes from 30μm to 2000μm are made from soda lime glass.
What is the uniformity and calibration standard for these glass spheres?
Each batch is calibrated using NIST™-traceable microscopy methods to ensure high accuracy. The size uniformity is less than 20% for all products, and optical microscopy is used to measure the size distribution and uniformity.
Why choose glass microspheres over polystyrene particles?
Glass microspheres provide better chemical and solvent resistance and offer greater mechanical and thermal stability compared to polystyrene spheres. This makes them ideal for demanding sample conditions.
What documentation is included with each purchase?
Each package comes with a Certificate of Calibration and Traceability to NIST™, a detailed explanation of the calibration method, its uncertainty, a table of chemical and physical properties, and a Material Safety Data Sheet with handling and disposal instructions.