What is the difference between a Certificate of Conformance (C of C) and a Certificate of Analysis (C of A)?

Article courtesy of Smooth-On, Inc.

A Certificate of Conformance (C of C) confirms for the purchaser that the material meets Smooth-On's internal quality standards. Smooth-On does not charge for a C of C.

A Certificate of Analysis (C of A) involves physical testing by the Smooth-On lab of lot matched Part A and Part B of a specific product. Standard properties of the combined Part A and Part B (mixed) that we test for will vary depending on the material and may include mixed viscosity, mixed specific gravity, mixed pot life, mixed cure time and 24-hour Shore hardness. The charge for testing is a minimum of US$1,600 and includes the C of A report.

If there is a desired test for which we do not have the appropriate lab testing equipment, we can send the material to an independent lab. There may be an additional fee for this test, and a quote will be provided before proceeding.

How to Request a C of C

Contact the distributor who sold you the material to request a C of C. Provide them the name of the product and the lot numbers on the product packaging.

How to Request a C of A

Please submit a material support request. Provide the name of the product, size unit you have, when you bought the material, and the distributor name that sold you the material. Also indicate what values you want us to test for in generating a custom C of A. We will then provide you with a quote to test the material and generate a custom C of A.

Disclaimer

This FAQ article is offered as a guideline and offers possible solutions to problems encountered during mold making and casting. No warranty is implied and it is up to the end user to determine suitability for any specific application. Always refer to the provided Technical Bulletins (TB) & Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before using any material. A small scale test is suggested to determine suitability of any recommendation before trying on a larger scale for any application.