Holiday notice: Our offices will be closed from midday on December 24th to January 2nd
By combining in-house materials testing and analysis with expert interpretation, we are able to quickly and effectively assist clients with the information required to get to the root cause of materials failures.
Covering a wide variety of investigations. Examples would be common materials such as steel, cast iron, extruded and cast aluminium, through to materials used in more aggressive environments such as nickel super alloys and titanium alloys. We also cover non-metallic materials such as polymers, elastomers and ceramics in a range of forms. Within metallurgy, an investigation could cover grain size, inclusion type and count along with deleterious effects such as porosity and segregation. Within polymers it could cover assessing the types of material used, fillers, distribution of fibre reinforcing etc.
We offer an initial consultation in-person, online or on the phone to fully understand your requirements prior to providing a quote. Our laboratory and office is situated in Derby in the midlands and many of our clients visit for a coffee and a discussion regarding the required work at our Georgian house premises. The expert leading the investigation will review various options with you and discuss the investigation background, required turnaround time, reporting style etc. to ensure you as the client gets the exact service you require.
We have onsite a range of sectioning equipment including a large hydraulic bandsaw and abrasion cutter to ensure we can tackle samples of most sizes. Within the laboratory, we have a cooled abrasive cutter and the capacity to mount and metallographically prepare samples.
All investigations start with a visual examination and then sectioning, if required, to obtain the focal point of the investigation, for example the initiation portion of a fracture. Onsite we have a high power digital stereo microscope along with a metallurgical microscope and a Scanning Electron Microscope for when detail and high magnifications are required.
We have a range of in-house materials analysis and testing instruments that can provide results to support an investigation. These include EDS (analytical function of the SEM), FTIR (characterisation of organic and IR absorbing materials), XRF (onsite chemical analysis), GCMS / HPLC (analytical chemistry) and a range of hardness testers including an automated microhardness tester.
For investigations, we offer two report types: portrait (traditional style) and presentation-style. These are suited for different usages and the most appropriate is usually dependent on the intent of the report. For the most thorough and in-depth investigations that could be used in court, portrait-style reporting would be recommended. Presentation-style reports are image dense and provide the findings of investigations with clear diagrams and supporting text. These reports can be ideal for internal use as they can often provide information in a more clear and concise manner.
Offering a fast tracked turnaround time option, where possible. Standard service work is typically completed within 5-10 working days, depending on current workload, and our priority service work can be as fast as same-day depending on the work required.
Portrait, traditional style report with in-depth discussion, conclusions and supporting referenced figures at the end. Recommended for the most thorough and in-depth investigations that could be used in court.
01
This section outlines the background of the investigation, any relevant information provided and what laboratory techniques will be performed on the sample.
02
This section documents the findings of the visual examination along with the findings of examinations using our various microscopes.
03
The results of the tests and analyses conducted will be provided with any relevant standards.
04
Interpretation of the results and examinations with expert opinion and relation of the findings of the report to the larger context of the assembly or system.
05
Concise conclusions which provide statements of facts and the key findings of the investigation.
06
Brings together the findings of the examinations and test results and discusses implications with regards to the issue as well as suggestions as to how to prevent the issues in the future.
07
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For investigations requiring predominantly diagrams and images along with concise text; we can report in a presentation style report. Ideal for internal use as they can often provide information in a more clear and concise manner
A copper alloy component had cracked in service and the cracks exhibited a degree of ‘yawning’ (opening) indicative of the presence of tensile stress.
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A rolling element bearing exhibiting rolling contact fatigue (RCF) spalling of the working surfaces. RCF was observed on the inside and outside race as well as the bearings.
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Tapping Tee joints had been found to leak from a pin hole defect. Examinations suggested an inherent problem with either one or both of, 1) the mould design, or 2) the casting parameters
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Examination revealed a crack extending around the majority of the housing circumference, located at a parting line. Fracture was established to be caused by thermal fatigue.
See more in our library of failures>
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