A material trial can be a roll of the dice, or a very scientific experiment. Most customers don’t realize how much we crave new data points and bleeding-edge technology. If there is a chance to participate in an evaluation, learn, and use the knowledge to publish an article, we can devote many more resources (time, travel, and samples).
It is a shame most customers do not recognize this potential arrangement – because it is truly a win / win situation. You end up with more data points, a larger material set, immediate troubleshooting advice, and a knowledgeable partner to help perform the evaluation. We get to take our materials out of the lab and use them in processes they may have never seen before.
Why not play a game you’re sure to win?