Nital Etch Inspection Services
Safeguard your metal parts from hidden heat damage with our Nital Etch Inspection Services, also known as Surface Temper or Temper Etch. After final heat treatment, we reveal overtempering, re-tempering, or decarburized surfaces – all without disrupting production. Count on our hands-on guidance, in-house bake capabilities, and global approvals to keep your components performing safely and meet compliance standards.
What are Nital Etch Inspection Services at Element?
Nital Etch Inspection (often called Surface Temper Etch or Temper Etch) is a non-destructive test used post-final heat treatment to detect overheating damage caused by abusive machining or grinding. At Element, we identify surface variations—overtempering, localized re-tempering, re-hardening, discontinuous carburization, and decarburized layers—that weaken parts. Softer tempered regions darken more quickly under the etchant, making potential failure points readily apparent.
What Can Element Offer You For Nital Etch Inspection?
Key Tests Offered
Key Tests Offered
Our Nital Etch services detect five major heat-related flaws:
- Overtempering: Excessive heat from grinding or machining
- Localized re-tempering: Abusive machining re-softening critical areas
- Re-hardening: Creation of brittle zones prone to fracture
- Localized discontinuous carburization: Uneven material properties
- Decarburized surface layers: Reduced hardness and wear resistance
By revealing these conditions, we pinpoint at-risk zones before costly failures occur.
Components We Test
Components We Test
We specialize in metal components where heat-related damage could lead to catastrophic failures. Our Nital Etch process is especially vital for shafts, gears, splines, bearings, and journals requiring dependable mechanical properties. By detecting surface changes that standard methods miss, we prevent issues like micro-cracks or localized softness that compromise long-term performance.
- Shafts and journals
- Gears and splines
- Bearings
- Machine & apparatus parts (Any steel or alloy part subject to final heat treat and post-machining.)
- Other heat-treated steel or alloy parts
Methods And Solutions Offered
Methods And Solutions Offered
We offer multiple Nital Etch methodologies suited to various materials:
- Nitric Acid-based standard processing (with optional post-processing bake cycle)
- Hydrochloric prep for Tool Steel, followed by standard nitric processing
- Ammonium Persulfate-based approach (no post-bake needed)
Each route is chosen based on your component’s composition and quality demands, ensuring maximum accuracy. Softer tempered areas etch darker, giving a clear visual indicator of heat treatment issues.
Cutting-Edge Equipment We Use
Cutting-Edge Equipment We Use
Our labs feature specialized etching systems, in-house bake facilities certified to AMS 2759/9, and advanced chemical handling. We maintain environmental permits and proper waste treatment to comply with safety and sustainability. By managing the entire process under one roof, we deliver consistent, high-quality results.
- Certified bake facilities for post-etch processing
- Equipment meeting MIL-STD-867, AMS 2649, and more
- Chemical handling with environmental compliance
- High reliability across global labs
Which Labs Offer This Service
Which Labs Offer This Service
Our team operates from Materials Testing hubs worldwide, giving you global access to our expertise. Visit our Locations Page to explore our lab network.
Standards we test to and components we test
We maintain in-house bake capability certifiable to AMS 2759/9 and are approved for:
- MIL-STD-867
- AMS 2649
- AF5236
- HPS3002
- CEIM-5
- EIM Code 5
(We can work with custom specs upon request.)
- Shafts & journals
- Gears & splines
- Bearings
- Machine & apparatus parts
- Various steel/alloy components post-heat treat
Your Challenges, Our Solutions
Normal inspections missing subtle flaws
Compliance requirements complexity
Understanding exact nature of risk
Production schedule impacts
Why Choose Element
Complete nital etch capability
Multiple etching process options
Certified post-process baking
Comprehensive specification approvals
Explore our global network of labs and find your nearest location
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