Ensure that your product or component is safe and fit for purpose with Element’s range of accredited metallurgical testing services. From comprehensive grain analysis to detailed structural evaluations, our experts help identify flaws, check soundness, and ensure your metal materials meet the highest standards.

 

What is Metallurgical Testing?

Metallurgical testing examines the properties of metallic materials to determine if a particular metal is appropriate for its intended use. Used across a wide variety of industries, there are many different techniques, ranging from non-destructive to destructive testing; the type chosen typically depends on whether you are testing to prevent failure (requiring the product to remain intact), or after your part has already failed. Techniques aim to identify, confirm, and verify the properties of the metal through analysis and microscopic evaluations.

 

Key Benefits of Metallurgical Testing Services

  • Comprehensive Range of Services: We have expansive testing methods and capabilities, from grain size analysis to fractography, ensuring a thorough understanding of your materials. Our one-stop solution to guide your materials through every stage of their life cycle.
  • Aligned with Innovation: Trust us to handle the unique testing needs of advanced metals, bringing expertise to your innovations from state-of-the-art accredited laboratories.
  • Industry-Centric Expertise: Our specialized labs and expert technicians ensure precise testing tailored to your sector, covering materials from carbon steels to aerospace-grade Titanium and Aluminium with ease and precision.
  • Excellence in Accreditation: Our labs boast full accreditation, including UKAS, NADCAP, ISO 17025, and more - guaranteeing the highest testing standards.
  • Material Preservation Assurance: Our testing methodology can minimize material loss by using smaller sample sizes and alternative non-destructive techniques, ensuring your valuable materials are preserved throughout the testing process when required.
  • Testing Where You Need It: Enjoy the convenience of on-site testing or testing within our state-of-the-art metallurgy laboratories.
  • Global Reach, Your Projects Scaled: Benefit from our wide-reaching presence, our global laboratories ensure we can handle projects of any size, meeting your unique demands.

 

Customer-Centric Excellence in Metal Testing

Assuring you with timely booking, order acknowledgments, and designated points of contact throughout testing. Receive updates tailored to your preferences. We pride ourselves on swift turnaround times and offer expedited services when time is of the essence. 

 

Tailored Testing Solutions for Your Peace of Mind

From the moment we receive your inquiry, we identify your needs, and intended result usage, providing tailored solutions. Our flexibility extends to creating bespoke testing plans that align seamlessly with your requirements. Trust us to navigate the regulatory landscape, ensuring your materials comply with stringent industry standards for your peace of mind.

 

Your Metallurgical Testing Experts

Vikram Nanda

Element's Metallurgy and Failure Analysis Expert

Read more about Vikram
Craig Brown

Craig Brown

Principal Engineer, Metallurgy. Metallurgical Failure Analysis Expert.

READ MORE ABOUT CRAIG

Metallurgical Testing Services and Capabilities

Our metallurgical testing services examine metals both above and below the surface. From grain size to coating evaluations, our Engaged Experts tackle the most challenging metallurgical questions. Many of our advanced metallurgical methods can be performed on-site or in collaboration with our experts in one of our state-of-the-art laboratories.

Some of the metallurgical testing methods include but are not limited to:

 

Why Choose Element

Offering industry-centric expertise from specialized laboratories and expert technicians. Our accreditations, including UKAS, NADCAP, and ISO 17025, ensure the highest metallurgical testing standards. With a wide-reaching presence, we scale to meet your unique project demands, delivering excellence every step of the way.

For more information about our metallurgical testing services or to request a quote, contact us today. 

Find out more about Element and our credentials within the testing, inspection, and certification industry.

 

Standards include but are not limited to the following:

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B46.1, ASME IX, ASME Sec VIII, ASME V.6

 

ASTM International 

ASTM A90, ASTM A123, ASTM A247, ASTM A255, ASTM A262 , ASTM A342, ASTM A370, ASTM A428, ASTM A490, ASTM A561, ASTM A574, ASTM A604, ASTM A604 , ASTM A799, ASTM A800, ASTM A923, ASTM A923, ASTM A967

ASTM B117, ASTM B137, ASTM B244, ASTM B276, ASTM B390, ASTM B487, ASTM B487, ASTM B489, ASTM B499, ASTM B504, ASTM B557, ASTM B571, ASTM B657, ASTM B659, ASTM B665, ASTM B748, ASTM B764, ASTM B767, ASTM B769, ASTM B962, ASTM B963

ASTM C633, ASTM C692, ASTM C1617

ASTM D610, ASTM D1186, ASTM D1400, ASTM D1654, ASTM D2247, ASTM D3359, ASTM D7091, ASTM D7091

ASTM E3, ASTM E10, ASTM E18, ASTM E21, ASTM E45, ASTM E53, ASTM E92, ASTM E111, ASTM E112, ASTM E132, ASTM E190, ASTM E247, ASTM E290, ASTM E327, ASTM E340, ASTM E376, ASTM E381, ASTM E384, ASTM E407, ASTM E415, ASTM E466, ASTM E517, ASTM E562, ASTM E606, ASTM E646, ASTM E766, ASTM E883, ASTM E930, ASTM E975, ASTM E977, ASTM E1019, ASTM E1077, ASTM E1097, ASTM E1181, ASTM E1245, ASTM E1251, ASTM E1268, ASTM E1351, ASTM E1382, ASTM E1479, ASTM E1508, ASTM E1999, ASTM E2567

ASTM F1089, ASTM F136, ASTM F1854, ASTM F2111, ASTM F2328, ASTM F67, ASTM F606, ASTM F788, ASTM F812, ASTM F835

ASTM G17, ASTM G28, ASTM G36, ASTM G48, ASTM G64, ASTM G79, ASTM G87, ASTM G132

 

American Welding Society

AWS A4.2, AWS B2.1, AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, AWS D1.4, AWS D1.5, AWS D1.6, AWS D14.1, AWS D15.1, AWS D17.1, AWS D17.2

 

International Standards Organizations

AS 7452, AS 7454, AS 7455, AS 7456, AS 7459, AS 7460, AS 7461, AS 7466, AS 7470, AS 7471, AS 7472, AS 7473, AS 7474, AS 7477, AS 7478, AS 7479

BS ISO 3057, BS 131, BS 2633, BS 4449, BS 4871, BS 4872, BS 6286, BS 6744, BS 709, BS EN 287, BS EN 288, BS EN 1321, BS EN 10328, BS EN ISO 1463, BS EN ISO 2360, BS EN ISO 2639, BS EN ISO 4526, BS EN ISO 5173, BS EN ISO 5817, BS EN ISO 643, BS EN ISO 6509, BS EN ISO 9015, BS EN ISO 9016, BS EN ISO 9606, BS EN ISO 15614, BS EN ISO 15620, BS EN ISO 15630, BS EN ISO 17639

DIN 50190, DIN 50600, DIN 50602, DIN 54150, DIN 54150, DIN EN 10328, DIN EN ISO 643, DIN EN ISO 1463, DIN EN ISO 17639, DIN EN ISO 2639, DIN EN ISO 2639, DIN EN ISO 3651, DIN EN ISO 3887

EN 12797, EN 1321, EN 15614, EN 3683, EN 3684, EN ISO 3887, EN ISO 5817, EN-ISO 8249

ISO 365, ISO 643, ISO 898, ISO 1463, ISO 1513, ISO 2360, ISO 2808, ISO 3057, ISO 3369, ISO 3651, ISO 4405, ISO 4406, ISO 4407, ISO 4967, ISO 4968, ISO 5817, ISO 5817, ISO 6157, ISO 6520, ISO 9602, ISO 9606, ISO 9227, ISO 13520, ISO 16232, ISO 17639, ISO 21809, ISO 26146

 

Aerospace Materials Specifications

AMS 1595, AMS 2315, AMS 2315, AMS 2380, AMS 2643, AMS 4928, AMS 4965, AMS 4967, AMS 753, AMS W6858

 

SAE International

SAE ARP 1341B, SAE J1061, SAE J121, SAE J122, SAE J123, SAE J403, SAE J404, SAE J417, SAE J419, SAE J422, SAE J423, SAE J425, SAE J439, SAE J448, SAE J78, SAE J81, SAE J933

We test to a number of other industry, customer and in-house standards.

Our accreditations include but are not limited to:

  • Bell
  • Boeing
  • Bombardier
  • Cassna
  • Embraer
  • GE
  • GE S400
  • GKN
  • Gulfsteam
  • ISO 17025
  • Lockheed
  • NADCAP
  • Rolls Royce
  • Safran AQPS 621
 
Metallurgical Testing
metallurgical testing

Macroscopic Evaluation

Our Engaged Experts use a combination of visual methods and instrumentation to detect surface-level metallic properties.

Macroscopic testing refers to any method performed using little to no magnification, or any other instrumentation used to examine surface level properties. These assessments focus on outward characteristics of metals and are often detectable by the naked eye. Our experts will use a variety of visual inspection techniques to evaluate the "big picture" - ensuring that the quality, integrity and properties of a material are what they should be.
 
Macroscopic evaluations are typically performed on finished products or treated metals, in addition to raw materials. Our macroscopic methods offer an efficient way to assess the overall condition of a material and can detect flaws or imperfections before a part goes into use or production.
 
Some of the tests that we offer include:
  • Coating weight
  • Contaminant and cleanliness
  • Digital imaging
  • Eutectic melting point
  • Fractography
  • Grain flow
  • Macrostructure
  • Passivation
  • Surface discontinuities
  • Surface roughness
  • Visual inspection
Micrographic Metallography 640 x 480
metallurgical testing

Microscopic Evaluation

Element's metallurgists use state-of-the-art technology to find patterns, defects and metallic characteristics below a material's surface.

Microscopic testing includes methods that use microscopic instruments to search for characteristics below the surface of a material, or those too small to be detected by the human eye alone. These types of evaluations are generally performed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), or other high-powered optical microscopic equipment. These methods apply when examining the subsurface of a material or a small section of a larger sample.  

Some of the methods that we use include:

  • Alloy depletion
  • Banding
  • Bradealloy
  • Casting evaluation
  • Case Depth (Carburization/Depth of decarburization)
  • Coating thickness
  • Constituent content
  • Corrosion creep back
  • Failure analysis
  • Ferrite content
  • Fiber length
  • Fractography
  • Grain Flow
  • Grain size
  • Inclusion content and severity
  • Intergranular corrosion
  • Intermetallic phase determination
  • Microstructure evaluation
  • Near-surface examination
  • Nitriding
  • Passivation
  • Photomicrography
  • Pitting and crevice corrosion
  • Porosity
  • Recast evaluation
  • Replication metallography
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) / Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX)
  • Volume fraction
  • Weld Evaluation
On-Site Metallography 640 x 480
metallurgical testing

On-Site Metallography

For larger or more complex projects that require on-site service, ÈÕ±¾avÎÞÂëcan perform a full suite of diagnostic and routine metallographic methods in the field.

While our labs can test a wide variety of material and component types in our facilities, there are some situations that require on-site testing. To accommodate this, we offer a comprehensive range of metallurgical test methods in the field for components and materials that are too large, too heavy, or too fragile to be transported to a lab. We offer the same quality testing and accurate results that you would get in one of our labs, and on-site services can often reduce test times for particularly urgent projects. 

Some of the on-site services that we offer include:

  • Coating inspection
  • Creep damage assessment
  • Equotip hardness
  • Ferrite content
  • Fractography
  • Microstructure evaluation
  • Positive Material Identification (PMI)
  • Thermal degradation

Metallurgical Failure Analysis Helps Prevent Future Failures

When components fail, it can affect the delivery of goods and the safety of the general public. Performing metallurgical failure analysis is critical to preventing future failures.

LEARN MORE

Replication Metallography: A Non-Destructive Solution 

ÈÕ±¾avÎÞÂëdiscusses replication metallography as a non-destruction solution to metallurgical evaluation.

Read MORE

White Paper: What is Metallurgical Testing? 

Metallurgical testing covers a huge scope of industries. Could metallurgical testing be helpful for you? Dr. John Tartaglia helps guide you through the basics of metallurgical testing.

Read MORE
making certain for nearly 190 years

Related Services

On-Site-Metallographic-Testing-and-Analysis-640x480

On-Site Metallographic Testing and Analysis

ÈÕ±¾avÎÞÂëoffers a wide portfolio of on-site metallographic testing and analysis to monitor real-time component condition and detect potential or existing damage.

Read more

In-situ Replication Metallography & Replica Testing

ÈÕ±¾avÎÞÂëconducts in-situ field metallography and replica testing services to evaluate the strength, quality and remaining lifetime of your materials.

Read More
Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis

Find out how Element's global team of failure analysis experts learn from the past, to help prevent failures in service. 

Read More
Chemical Analysis

Chemical Analysis

Find out how Element's chemistry teams work with our customers to identify the contents, composition and quality of materials they develop and manufacture.

Read More
Sour Service Corrosion 640 x 480

Corrosion Testing

As a world leader in corrosion testing services, ÈÕ±¾avÎÞÂëprovides effective corrosion testing programs to help you ensure your materials are safe, reliable, and fit for purpose.

Read More
ASTM A262 640 x 480 May 2018

Intergranular Corrosion Testing

Find out more about Element's intergranular corrosion testing service (IGC) to help prevent deterioration of materials along grain boundaries.

Read More
Creep and Stress Rupture 640 x 480

Stress Rupture and Creep Testing

Creep testing is critical to understanding and preventing product failures. ÈÕ±¾avÎÞÂëperforms both stress rupture and creep testing for metals, composites, and plastics to determine the long-term stress on materials.

LEARN MORE
SEM Analysis

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

SEM analysis is a powerful analytical tool which uses a focused beam of electrons to produce intricate, high magnification images of a sample’s surface topography.

Read More

Our team of over 9,000 Engaged Experts in North America, Europe, The Middle East, Australia, Asia and Africa are ready to help you.