ATRONA Material Testing Labratories, Inc.
Years of Experience Ready to Work for You "Our primary Objective is to simply meet or exceed our clients needs and expectations."
Metallurgical Testing
We are always committed to employing the latest technology in the field of metallurgical and materials testing through image characterization and analysis as well as the latest preparation and testing equipment. Our experienced staff can provide you with the following services:
SEM/EDS: Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy with full digital imaging.
Image analysis: If you simply need analysis conducted on a certain phase in the material or measuring the percent of a phase including cleanliness analysis we utilize full image analysis capabilities.
Microstructure Evaluation: Microstructure can be used as a special tool to also predict a tool life or performance of a specific part and as an inspection tool to examine the quality of a heat treater or a raw material supplier.
Grain Size Measurement: This can be part of the microstructure examination or can be conducted by itself as an inspection tool. Our image analysis performs quantitative measurements of grain size. Most alloy steels require ASTM 5 or finer grain size and some tool steels require 10 or finer grain size.
Retained Austenite Rating: Measured by our image analysis software with clear photomicrograph and clear distinction (color coded) image showing the percent retained austenite.
Heat Treatment Inspection/Certifications: This could be a hardness inspection certification or a full inspection of hardness, case depth, microstructure, and material. We have programs available for fast, accurate, and competitive heat treat certifications for either the heat treater or the purchaser of heat treat services.
Surface Treatment Analysis: This includes any special treatment performed on the surfaces of the part including case hardening (carburizing, carbonitriding, nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boronizing, induction hardening, flame hardening, Nitrotec, etc.) and coating thickness and type.
Decarburization Measurements: With special techniques and precise specimen preparation and our ability to measure surface and subsurface carbon content, microhardness, and microstructure image measurements, we can determine if the steel has full or partial decarburization or both and the depth of these layers.
Intergranular Grain Boundary Oxidation (IGO) Analysis: Oxidation which attacks the grain boundaries starting at the surface of the part. Normally when parts are being heat treated such as carburizing or austenitizing (hardening), if the furnace contains free oxygen from air leaks inside of the furnace or too much vapor or steam, the oxygen will diffuse into the surface of the material oxidizing the grain boundaries and degrading the engineering properties of the very surface. This is especially important for gears and machined parts that do not require grinding of all surfaces after heat treat. The depth of this oxidation should be inspected and controlled. It is also a good measure in determining the quality of the heat treat operation (furnace). We can examine these surfaces and measure by image analysis the depth of this oxidation and report it with photomicrographs.
Coating Thickness Measurements: Any plating or coating thickness can be measured using image analysis and measurements reported with photomicrographs. This will insure proper compliance with thickness specification and the consistency of this coating thickness in various locations on the same part.
Grain Flow Analysis: This type of analysis detects and examines the flow of the granular structure after a forming operation, a forging operation, thread forming operation, etc. This is crucial to determining the quality of a forging operation or a welding operation such as inertia/friction welding. This examination will determine if the grain flow is continuous and resolved and follows the contour of the part. This will also determine after a welding operation (inertia/friction weld) if the weld created two relatively equally heated surfaces that have a combined grain flow. This is crucial for strength and soundness of the material. It is performed though proper preparation and hot acid etching and examination.
Inclusion Rating/Raw Material Cleanliness: Metals contain non metallic elements and compounds causing reduction in strength and many other issues including effects on the response to heat treatment of the metal. These non metallics, referred to as inclusions, in some cases aid fabrication by enhancing its machinability. However, in most cases these non metallics reduce the engineering properties of the metal and contaminate the metal with undesirable constituents. We are able to prepare the specimens per standards and conduct cleanliness ratings or "dirt" count and rate the material with a simple table. In steels the inclusions considered are in 4 main groups listed as silicates, aluminas, sulfides, and oxides.
Porosity (Micro & Macro) Analysis: Porosity small and large (micro and macro) can have a great effect on the engineering properties of metals including ductility and resistance to impact and fracture toughness. Especially in castings, porosity can cause problems during machinability and cause premature failure. A check of the material for porosity can avoid problems and can act as a quality inspection for many processes including: Casting, Forging, Forming, Welding, etc. We can perform this inspection and qualify the material and quantify the porosity if detected. We have many different methods depending on the material and process for examining for this type of defect in the material or weld. A typical report will include photomacrographs and photomicrographs with digital measurements and a comments section and opinion on what is found.
Raw Material Defects Inspection: Defects in raw material vary from metal to metal and from process to process. In many cases we are able to examine the raw material per specification for many types of defects. If specification is not available we can examine and give an opinion on the condition of the material for inclusions, pipe, seam, segregation, streaking, banding, microstructure defects, porosity, etc.. This could also include a chemical analysis to inspect for certain elements or match the material to the required type. A typical report would include photomicrographs, measurements, and inspection methods used.
Microhardness Testing (Knoop and Vickers): ATRONA has full automatic microhardness testing with photo stiching and microhardness mapping. Hardness testing in general is performed to assess the strength of the material. With microhardness testing the strength is examined on a micro scale by determining the strength of a carburized case for example or by determining the strength of a certain micro constituent in the microstructure. Usually microhardness is specified with relatively smaller loads 500 grams or lower to measure an effective case depth or effective decarburization, etc. At ATRONA we can do all microhardness test methods at all loads. We constantly score among the best labs in North America for test method and results using collaborative testing comparisons.
Effective/Total Case Depth Measurement: Case depth or case hardening is specified on many types of parts and components that require surface fatigue strength and wear resistance. When specified by the engineering print it is typically specified with a required case depth. This case depth is specified as either effective or total case depth. We can measure both per standard ASTM or SAE test methods. The effective case depth is measured with microhardness to determine the depth of the hardening layer at which the microhardness of the material drops to 50 Rc or specific hardness number that is typically 5 Rc points or more above the core hardness or 5 Rc points or more below the surface hardness. The standard effective case depth measurement is to measure the distance from the surface to a location below the surface at which the hardness is 50 Rc. The total case depth measures the visual / chemical change in the material from the surface after a polish and etch process effected by the additions of carbon to the surface of the component and does not typically involve hardness measurements. Let us know your requirement and we can provide you with accurate results. We can also examine the difference between total and effective case depths in the same components as a measure of the quality of the heat treat operation and give you some feed back.
Photography (Micro & Macro): We are fully capable of documenting your tested parts with clear color photography including photomicrographs with full imaging and measurements software to measure any defects or regions of concern or interest found during the analysis. As with all of our reports these photographs are documented in the report with clear explanation of what is in the photo. All of our reports are normally put into a pdf format and electronically sent to our clients in the original condition. An original copy of the report is typically mailed also.
Chemical Analysis - Any Metal: We are fully capable of performing chemical examination of your materials including all types of metals. Our standard reports include all main elements in the material and about 10 additional residual elemental composition found in your material. We have in our laboratory all types of standards (low carbon, alloy steel, stainless steel, tool steel, copper alloys, aluminum alloys, cast iron, titanium, and specialty steels) to check your material against. We have the capability to make sure the machine is calibrated and validated prior to running your material for the most accurate results. No matter what the material is we can test it as long as it is metal. No matter what the shape of the material is, we have equipment to anneal it, flatten it and grind it if needed. We also have the capability and fixturing to test wire samples. For small quantities of material including chips or very small components we ask you typically to provide us with about 2 grams of weight or more. Typical sample, however, is a minimum of 1/2" by 1/2" flat surface.
Macro Etching: Forgings, weldments, soundness of bar stock, etc. all require from time to time as specified to be examined for grain flow and subsurface defects by way of macro etching. We have a special section in our laboratory with full size chemical hood and all needed chemicals to handle this type of examination for you. We have the means, equipment and know how to obtain a specimen from your part and prepare it using grinding and or other means and etch in the right chemical at the right temperature to reveal the grain flow and preserve the surface so we can examine it before deterioration takes place and document it using color photography.
Hardness Measurements (Rockwell, Superficial, Brinell, Portable): Full range of direct hardness testing capabilities of all scales and methods. We understand ASTM E10 and E18 and we perform our hardness testing per required specifications with latest digital testers, fully calibrated and ready for your testing needs. We also have digital portable hardness testers.
Cast Iron Analysis: Let us help you with all your cast iron needs including sand and permanent mold, grey, ductile, malleable, compacted graphite, etc. With our full image analysis package of software capabilities we can measure graphite and nodularity with clear images.
Weld Analysis and Testing: Let us assist you with weld integrity examination including weld joint penetration, fusion, grain flow, porosity, convexity and concavity of welds, weld cracks and defects, etc. With full SEM and EDS analysis we can determine if any contamination in the weld exists and find out where its coming from.
Let ATRONA be your metallurgical department for analysis and routine inspection. We offer FAST service (less than 24 hours) at very attractive prices. Please inquire about our heat treat or materials certification program.
