Quality assurance of metallic materials

Mechanical testing, chemical analyzes, structural examinations and corrosion testing of a material or product are some important tools in connection with delivery control and to ensure good quality.

Testing is performed in both welded materials and in basic materials, against current national and international standards and takes place in a controlled environment.

Mechanical testing
In the case of mechanical testing, the laboratory has equipment for tensile testing, impact testing, bend testing, pressure testing, ring testing and hardness testing.

From the results obtained in the mechanical test, we can assess whether the requirements placed on the material are met. These requirements are usually found in the applicable product standard. The results show, among other things, the material’s tensile strength, plastic deformability, impact strength (ductility), bendability and hardness.

Chemical analyzes
Characterization of metals and identification of constituent alloying elements is performed using, among other things, an optical emission spectrometer (OES) and by microscopy. The laboratory also performs chemical analysis in our scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS).

Macro- and microscopic examination
The macro- and microscopic examination includes, among other things, an assessment of the material’s microstructure, constituent phases and inclusions.

We can also detect the presence of cracks, pores, insufficient burning/melting, and more.

Corrosion test
Corrosion testing means that a material is subjected to an accelerating corrosion process in a predetermined environment under controlled conditions. There are several methods for these tests, but the most in demand are intergranular corrosion testing used for austenitic stainless steel and nickel bases, as well as pitting and general corrosion testing for stainless steel.