How To Obtain Free Texas Instruments Electronic Components A Guide To Their Sample Program

Oct. 13, 2025, 3 p.m.

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Texas Instruments (TI) is a well-known semiconductor company that offers free samples of many of its electronic components to qualified individuals and organizations. For students, hobbyists, and professionals working on electronics projects, these samples can be a valuable resource for prototyping and testing. This article provides a comprehensive guide to obtaining free samples from Texas Instruments, including eligibility requirements, the request process, company policies, and best practices for sample requests.

Overview of Texas Instruments' Sample Program

Texas Instruments provides free samples of various electronic components including discrete logic, microcontrollers, and USB device controllers. The company makes these samples available to eligible individuals who are working on projects that might benefit from TI components. The sample program serves as both a technical resource and a marketing tool, allowing engineers, students, and hobbyists to evaluate TI products for potential use in larger projects or commercial applications.

The sample program is distinct from the free audio samples of the TI Speak & Music toy that have been shared by enthusiasts on the internet. While those audio samples are of interest to music producers and sound designers, this guide focuses on TI's electronic component samples that are relevant to electronics projects and professional development.

Eligibility Requirements for TI Sample Requests

Not everyone is eligible to receive free samples from Texas Instruments. The company has established specific criteria to determine who qualifies for their sample program:

Corporate Email Requirement

The most significant eligibility requirement is that all sample requests must be made using a corporate email address. Texas Instruments explicitly states that they do not accept requests from free email domains such as @gmail, @yahoo, @qq, or similar services. This policy helps ensure that samples are distributed to legitimate professionals, students, and researchers rather than to individuals who might abuse the program.

Professional and Student Eligibility

According to industry practices, companies like Texas Instruments typically provide samples to three main groups:

Industry professionals: These are engineers, designers, and technical staff who work for companies that might incorporate TI components into commercial products. Companies provide samples to this group in the hope that they will be used in production designs, potentially leading to large volume purchases.
Students: Many semiconductor companies, including TI, provide samples to students at technical schools and universities. This serves to familiarize students with the company's products, potentially influencing their future purchasing decisions when they enter the industry.
Educators and researchers: Faculty members and researchers at educational institutions may also qualify for samples to support teaching and research activities.

While the source material doesn't specify whether TI explicitly provides samples to students, it notes that companies that cater to students tend to be more lenient with their sample policies. The requirement for a corporate email address may present a challenge for students who typically have school email addresses, which may or may not qualify as "corporate" under TI's definition.

Step-by-Step Process for Requesting TI Samples

For those who meet the eligibility requirements, requesting samples from Texas Instruments involves a straightforward process:

Create or log in to your myTI account: The first step is to establish an account with Texas Instruments using a corporate email address. This account will be used for all sample requests and to track your order history.
Access the samples program request form: Once logged in, navigate to the samples program request form. The source material provides a direct link to this form.
Complete and submit the form: Fill out all required information on the form, including details about the specific components you wish to sample and the intended use of these components.
Wait for approval: After submitting your request, you will receive an email notification within five business days either approving your sample request or indicating that you need to purchase the devices from TI.com instead.

This process is relatively simple, but it's important to note that not all requests are approved. Texas Instruments may deny requests based on their internal policies, the availability of components, or if they determine that the request doesn't align with their target audience.

Texas Instruments' Sample Policies and Limitations

When requesting samples from Texas Instruments, it's important to understand their policies and limitations:

Shipping and Delivery

All sample orders from Texas Instruments are shipped via ground shipping. This means that while samples are free, they may take longer to arrive than expedited shipments. For individuals or companies needing components quickly, purchasing from TI.com with expedited shipping options may be more appropriate.

Sampling Limits

Texas Instruments applies sampling limits to their free sample program. While the source material doesn't specify these limits in detail, it's common for semiconductor companies to restrict the number of units that can be sampled. For example, they might limit requests to 3-5 units per part number per customer. These limits help ensure that the sample program remains sustainable and isn't abused by individuals requesting excessive quantities.

Purchase Requirements

If your sample request is denied or if you need larger quantities than allowed by the sample program, Texas Instruments offers the option to purchase components directly from their website. They provide multiple payment options and expedited shipping for those who choose to purchase rather than sample.

Product Availability

Not all Texas Instruments products are available for sampling. The availability of samples depends on inventory levels, production schedules, and company policies. When browsing the TI website, products available for sampling will typically have a "Sample & Buy" section approximately halfway down the product page, with a button to order samples if they are available.

Best Practices for Requesting TI Samples

To maximize your chances of successfully obtaining samples from Texas Instruments and to maintain good standing with the company, consider these best practices:

Be Reasonable in Your Requests

As noted in the source material, it's important not to be greedy when requesting samples. If you need a particular chip for your project, ordering 2-3 units for backup purposes is reasonable. However, requesting dozens of samples that you don't immediately need is discouraged. Semiconductor companies that provide samples to students and hobbyists typically don't make significant profits from these samples, and excessive requests could lead them to restrict or eliminate their sample programs.

Use Samples for Their Intended Purpose

Free samples are provided for you to use in your projects or evaluations, not to sell. Selling sampled components on platforms like eBay undermines the purpose of the sample program and could result in losing your privileges to request samples in the future. The source material emphasizes that companies take a dim view of individuals who obtain samples and then resell them.

Research Before Requesting

Before requesting samples, take the time to thoroughly research the components you need. Understand their specifications, applications, and whether they are the right choice for your project. This demonstrates to Texas Instruments that you are a serious user who values their components, which may increase your chances of approval.

Keep Records

Maintain records of the samples you request, their intended use, and your project outcomes. This information can be valuable if you need to request additional samples or if you decide to purchase components for production use. It also helps you track which components you've already sampled, avoiding duplicate requests.

Alternative Sources for Free Electronic Samples

While Texas Instruments is a major provider of free electronic samples, they are not the only company that offers such programs. According to the source material, several other semiconductor companies also provide free samples:

Atmel: Offers samples of AVR microcontrollers
Microchip: Provides samples of PIC microcontrollers, Flash memory, and discrete logic
Micron: Offers samples of various memory types
Ramtron: Provides samples of F-RAM non-volatile memory
Samtec: Offers samples of physical connectors, headers, and card edge sockets
Molex: Provides samples of physical connectors, cable jacks, headers, and card edge sockets

Each of these companies has its own sample policies and procedures. Generally, the process involves navigating to the product page of the component you're interested in and looking for a "Sample & Buy" section or similar option. If samples are available, there will typically be a button to request them.

It's worth noting that some companies do not provide free samples. According to the source material, companies such as Vishay, Wima, AVX, Delevan, and MCI Transformer either require registration and still refuse to provide samples or do not offer sample request forms at all.

Conclusion

Texas Instruments' free sample program offers valuable access to electronic components for students, hobbyists, and professionals. By understanding the eligibility requirements, following the proper request procedures, and adhering to best practices, individuals can successfully obtain samples to support their projects and learning. While the program has limitations, including the requirement for a corporate email address and potential restrictions on the number of units that can be sampled, it remains an excellent resource for those working with TI components.

For those who don't qualify for TI's sample program or need components not available through sampling, alternative sources such as Atmel, Microchip, Micron, Ramtron, Samtec, and Molex offer additional opportunities to obtain free electronic samples. By responsibly utilizing these resources, electronics enthusiasts can access the components they need while respecting the policies established by these companies.