SDS vs TDS for Surface Materials: What Fabricators and Specifiers Need to Know
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Technical Data Sheets (TDS) are two of the most important documents in the surface materials supply chain — and two of the most commonly confused. Here’s a practical guide to what each document contains, when you need each one, and what to look for.
SDS: The Safety Document
An SDS (formerly MSDS) is a legally mandated document under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and equivalent regulations globally. It’s the document that tells you what hazards a material presents and how to handle it safely.
| SDS Section | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Identification | Product name, manufacturer, emergency contact. If the manufacturer’s phone number is disconnected, move on. |
| Section 2: Hazards Identification | Signal word (Danger/Warning), hazard statements. If crystalline silica is listed as a hazard, read Section 3 immediately. |
| Section 3: Composition/Ingredients | The most important section for silica checking. Look for “Quartz (SiO2)” or “Crystalline Silica.” The CAS number is 14808-60-7. If the percentage is listed as 0% or the substance is absent, the product may be silica-free — but verify with XRD. |
| Section 8: Exposure Controls | OSHA PEL (50 µg/m³), ACGIH TLV (25 µg/m³), recommended PPE. If Section 8 lists respiratory protection as mandatory for cutting or grinding, the product likely contains silica. |
| Section 11: Toxicological Information | Silicosis, lung cancer, autoimmune disease risks. If this section describes crystalline silica health effects, the product likely contains silica. |
Critical SDS check: Section 3 must be current. We’ve seen Chinese quartz exporters providing SDS from 2022 that listed “quartz 0%” — but the product contained 90% quartz. If the SDS doesn’t match your independent testing, the supplier is either lying or incompetent. Either way, don’t buy from them.
TDS: The Performance Document
A TDS describes how a material performs — its physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Unlike an SDS, a TDS is not legally mandated, but it’s essential for specifying and fabricating surface materials.
| TDS Section | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Physical properties | Density, water absorption, flexural strength, compressive strength, abrasion resistance |
| Thermal properties | Thermal shock resistance, coefficient of thermal expansion — critical for fireplace surrounds and outdoor applications |
| Chemical resistance | Resistance to acids, alkalis, household chemicals, staining agents |
| Dimensions & tolerances | Slab thickness, size tolerances, flatness specifications |
| Fabrication guidance | Recommended tooling, cutting speeds, adhesives, edge profile limitations |
| Testing standards | Which standards were used — ASTM, EN, ISO, AS? If the TDS doesn’t cite standards, the numbers are meaningless. |
When You Need Each Document
| Situation | Document Required |
|---|---|
| Worker safety and OSHA compliance | SDS (mandatory) |
| Specifying for a project | TDS (technical performance) |
| Regulatory compliance (e.g., Australia ban) | SDS + XRD report (silica content verification) |
| Quality assurance on delivery | TDS (verify properties match spec) |
| Fabricator training | SDS (safety) + TDS (technique) |
| Architect/designer specification | TDS (performance) + SDS (compliance) |
Both documents should be dated, version-controlled, and issued by the manufacturer (not a distributor reselling the manufacturer’s product under their own documentation). If a distributor provides an SDS that lists the distributor, not the original manufacturer — verify it matches the manufacturer’s own SDS before relying on it.
SDS & TDS Verification Checklist
Free: Step-by-step guide to verifying supplier safety and technical documentation for surface materials.
Sources & References
Complete numbered source list with URLs available to subscribers.
