Metallographic Testing & Analysis

Our talented metallographers and engineers analyze, characterize, and photodocument microstructural and macrostructural features present in a wide array of different metallic and cemented carbide materials in our state-of-the-art laboratory. We service many industries, including conventionally processed and additively manufactured materials. Characterization of microstructures is a vital part of quality assurance and, when combined with chemistry, these features dictate the mechanical properties that a material will exhibit in service. Even if chemical and mechanical requirements are met, an inferior microstructure can lead to corrosion, fatigue, or a host of other downstream stress-related problems. 

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Our metallographic laboratory has the capability to polish, etch, and analyze carbon steels, stainless steels, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, cobalt alloys, and cemented carbide materials. We capture digital images using light microscopy up to 1500X, and use image analysis software to perform quantitative metallographic measurements. Metals printed with additive manufacturing (AM) 3D printing technologies are evaluated at PES for quality control and R&D purposes. Scanning electron microscopy services are provided to analyze fracture surfaces and microstructural features, if necessary, at higher magnifications.