Metallurgical Testing Services

Our comprehensive metallurgical testing services examine metals both above and below the surface. From grain size analysis to coating evaluations, our Engaged Experts use visual methods, sophisticated microscopy, and advanced instrumentation to detect both surface-level properties and subsurface characteristics.

Some of the metallurgical testing methods include but are not limited to:

• Alloy depletion
• Alpha case evaluation
• Austenite measurements
• Carburization/depth of decarburization
• Case depth
• Casting evaluation
• Chemical analysis
• Ferrite measurements
• Fractography
• Grain size measurements
• Inclusion content
• Intergranular corrosion
• Jominy testing
• Macroscopic evaluation
• Microstructure evaluation
• On-site metallography
• Particle analysis
• Passivation
• Photomicrography
• Pitting and crevice corrosion
• Plating and coating thickness
• Recast evaluation
• Replication metallography
• Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)

Tailored testing solutions for your peace of mind
From the moment we receive your inquiry, we identify your needs, and intended result usage, providing tailored solutions. Our flexibility extends to creating bespoke testing plans that align seamlessly with your requirements. Trust us to navigate the regulatory landscape, ensuring your materials comply with stringent industry standards for your peace of mind.

Customer-centric excellence in metal testing
Assuring you with timely booking, order acknowledgements, and designated points of contact throughout testing. Receive updates tailored to your preferences. We pride ourselves on swift turnaround times and offer expedited services when time is of the essence.

Our testing approach adapts to your specific needs, minimizing material loss when required and providing both field and laboratory solutions. We combine state-of-the-art technology with expert analysis to provide insights that matter for your specific industry and application.

Our experts use a variety of visual inspection techniques to evaluate the "big picture" of your materials - ensuring quality, integrity and properties meet specifications. For subsurface analysis, we employ high-powered Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) and optical microscopic equipment to detect characteristics invisible to the human eye.

On-site and laboratory capabilities include:

• On-site metallography for large or complex structures
• Replication metallography for non-destructive evaluation
• Macroscopic surface evaluation for detecting visible properties
• Microscopic subsurface analysis to find patterns and defects
• SEM/EDS advanced material characterization
• Complete failure analysis investigations
• Customer-specific testing protocols
• Alloy depletion analysis
• Casting evaluation

Macroscopic Evaluation
Our Engaged Experts use a combination of visual methods and instrumentation to detect surface-level metallic properties.

Macroscopic testing refers to any method performed using little to no magnification, or any other instrumentation used to examine surface level properties. These assessments focus on outward characteristics of metals and are often detectable by the naked eye. Our experts will use a variety of visual inspection techniques to evaluate the "big picture" - ensuring that the quality, integrity and properties of a material are what they should be.

Macroscopic evaluations are typically performed on finished products or treated metals, in addition to raw materials. Our macroscopic methods offer an efficient way to assess the overall condition of a material and can detect flaws or imperfections before a part goes into use or production.

Some of the tests that we offer include:

• Coating weight
• Contaminant and cleanliness
• Digital imaging
• Eutectic melting point
• Fractography
• Grain flow
• Macrostructure
• Passivation
• Surface discontinuities
• Surface roughness
• Visual inspection

Microscopic Evaluation
Element's metallurgists use state-of-the-art technology to find patterns, defects and metallic characteristics below a material's surface.

Microscopic testing includes methods that use microscopic instruments to search for characteristics below the surface of a material, or those too small to be detected by the human eye alone. These types of evaluations are generally performed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), or other high-powered optical microscopic equipment. These methods apply when examining the subsurface of a material or a small section of a larger sample. 

Some of the methods that we use include:

• Alloy depletion
• Banding
• Bradealloy
• Casting evaluation
• Case Depth (Carburization/Depth of decarburization)
• Coating thickness
• Constituent content
• Corrosion creep back
• Failure analysis
• Ferrite content
• Fiber length
• Fractography
• Grain Flow
• Grain size
• Inclusion content and severity
• Intergranular corrosion
• Intermetallic phase determination
• Microstructure evaluation
• Near-surface examination
• Nitriding
• Passivation
• Photomicrography
• Pitting and crevice corrosion
• Porosity
• Recast evaluation
• Replication metallography
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) / Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX)
• Volume fraction
• Weld Evaluation

On-Site Metallography
For larger or more complex projects that require on-site service, Element can perform a full suite of diagnostic and routine metallographic methods in the field.

While our labs can test a wide variety of material and component types in our facilities, there are some situations that require on-site testing. To accommodate this, we offer a comprehensive range of metallurgical test methods in the field for components and materials that are too large, too heavy, or too fragile to be transported to a lab. We offer the same quality testing and accurate results that you would get in one of our labs, and on-site services can often reduce test times for particularly urgent projects.

Some of the on-site services we offer include:

• Coating inspection
• Creep damage assessment
• Equotip hardness
• Ferrite content
• Fractography
• Microstructure evaluation
• Positive Material Identification (PMI)
• Thermal degradation

We test a wide range of metal materials and components across aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Our metallurgical testing services examine metals both above and below the surface to tackle your most challenging metallurgical questions.

Our laboratories are equipped to handle everything from small fasteners to large industrial components, examining both raw materials and finished products including:

• Ferrous materials: Carbon steels, alloy steels, tool steels, stainless steels, and cast irons
• Non-ferrous materials: Aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, copper alloys, and magnesium alloys
• Components: Fasteners (ASTM A490, ASTM A574, ASTM F606, ASTM F835), castings (ASTM A247, ASTM A800), welds (AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, AWS D1.6), plated and coated components, and heat-treated parts

Our laboratories utilize the latest technology to deliver accurate, detailed metallurgical insights. Our equipment enables us to detect even the subtlest material characteristics and defects, providing you with comprehensive data about your metal components and materials. The advanced tools at our disposal allow for precise measurements and detailed analysis across all test types.

• Advanced scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) systems
• State-of-the-art metallographic preparation equipment
• High-precision hardness testing instruments
• Digital imaging and analysis software
• Portable on-site metallography equipment
• Specialized corrosion testing apparatus

Our team operates from Materials Testing Services testing hubs across the world, providing global access to our expert capabilities. Find out where your nearest Materials Testing Services hub is on our Locations Page.