Professional Detailing2 min read

Coating Sample Orientation in Storage: Label the Face Before It Becomes Ambiguous

A clear or lightly coated sample can become difficult to orient after storage. Identify the treated face and relevant direction before testing so later measurements do not accidentally examine the wrong side or an unrelated region.

Updated · NANOLAB Knowledge

The key distinction

The identification method must preserve the test area and remain compatible with the planned exposure. A label on the face being measured can introduce a new variable, while an undocumented mark may disappear during cleaning. Agree a durable location and a diagram that remains meaningful if the physical label changes.

Practical checks

  1. Assign a sample code and document the treated face before application records are closed.
  2. Mark orientation outside the evaluation area using an approved method.
  3. Verify identity and face selection at each handover or measurement stage.

Example

Illustrative example: two transparent panes are stored together, and the operator later cannot distinguish the treated side by appearance. Guessing would compromise the comparison. A clear edge record and sample diagram would allow the correct face to be selected without using water behaviour as an improvised identification test.

Scope and limits

Do not add a marker, adhesive or scratch to the test region unless the protocol permits it. When orientation is genuinely unknown, record the uncertainty and resolve it before testing rather than silently choosing the side that produces a preferred result.

Related guidance

Ask NANOLAB about the exact product and intended use. Use the current product documentation for formulation-specific instructions.