Metals & Alloys

Metallurgical Analysis Laboratory

Data you can rely on, experts you can trust.

Our metallurgical analysis laboratory augments the technical capabilities of many of our clients, providing a critical problem-solving resource. Our diverse capabilities include wide-ranging projects such as root cause failure analysis, evaluations of the effect of melt practice on finished products, characterization of coatings and surface treatments, examination of nanoscopic thin films, or the analysis of melt shop waste streams for recoverables. Many of our instruments are networked, which provides opportunity for our clients to virtually witness their analyses in many cases. Our extensive services also include, but are not limited, to the following.

Full-Service Metallographic Analysis

  • No limitation on use of etchants
  • Rockwell hardness testing
  • Micro-hardness testing (Knoop, Vickers)
  • Field deployable capabilities
  • Specialized Sample Preparation Services
  • Microtomy
  • Electrojet polishing
  • Tripod/wedge polishing
  • Extraction/replication of surfaces (field deployable)

Full-Service Chemistry Laboratory

  • Optical Microscopy
  • Stereo microscopy for fracture surfaces
  • Light optical microscopy for microstructures
  • Polarized light microscopy
  • Field deployable capabilities

Largest Commercially Available Suite of Electron Microscopes in U.S.

  • Full suite of SEMs available, including variable pressure, large chamber, and field emission instruments
  • HRSEM, TEM, STEM for nanoscopic investigations
  • Compositional mapping
  • Computer-controlled analyses available

Environmental and Corrosion Testing

  • Product-specific simulations or standard analyses
  • Accelerated life testing in simulated service environments
  • Corrosion coupon field deployment and analysis

Surface and Interfacial Analysis

  • XPS for surface analysis, depth profiling (thin films, corrosion studies)
  • Raman/FTIR for organic surface contaminants

Product Development Support

  • QA/QC analytical support
  • Identification and qualification of materials
  • Manufacturing process troubleshooting and evaluation
  • Warranty/Product Returns third party analysis
  • Waste stream evaluation for recoverables

Non-Destructive Evaluations (field deployable)

  • Dye penetration
  • Magnetic particle inspection
  • Impact echo
  • Radiography

Powdered Metal Characterization for 3D Printing Services

  • Flow and packing behavior by CCSEM
  • Particle size and shape distribution
  • Compositional information by EDS
  • Particulate contamination analysis