METALLURGICAL TESTING LAB

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS to identify the chemical composition of metals and alloys. Tests include Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS).

HARDNESS AND MICRO-HARDNESS TESTING. We can accurately measure the hardness of any sample, regardless of geometry. Testing methods include Direct Rockwell, Superficial Rockwell, Brinell Hardness, Vickers Microhardness, Knoop Microhardness, Portable Hardness, File Hardness, Macro Vickers Hardness, and Micro-hardness to 3,000 grams.

HEAT TREATMENT SUPPORT. QAI has helped over 50 commercial and captive heat treat companies and departments improve their heat treatment processes and heat treat recipes, and also assisted many of these firms with the writing of their best practice specifications to reduce volumetric change and distortion. We have the expertise to provide you with the quality and dimensional stability you demand.

MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION (MPI) is a relatively low cost, yet highly effective non-destructive testing method used to identify surface and near-surface defects in ferrous metal parts or components, including castings, forgings, weldments and machined or stamped parts.

MICROSTRUCTURE ANALYSIS to determine grain size, grain boundaries, banding classification, nodularity, phase percent, particle size, dimensional measurements, coating thickness, retained austenite rating, morphology, and much more, in any material, tempered or untempered martensite, as well as non-ferrous materials. We also perform microstructure analysis on stainless steels of all grades including corrosion-resistant steels, heat-resistant steels, magnetic and non-magnetic, and high-strength stainless steels.

SEM/EDS – Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) with full digital imaging has emerged as an essential tool in metallurgical testing and failure analysis. At QAI we have two full SEM/EDS systems. These allow us to determine the failure mode of a failed metal part or component, the chemical composition of constituents in the microstructure, plating types, analyze contamination, and more.

Finally, we offer expert FAILURE ANALYSIS. We can help you solve engineering issues, manufacturing issues, heat treat issues, material issues, contamination issues, and root cause investigation of failed metal parts, components and assemblies.