Materials Engineering Detailed Capabilities Include:

Failure Analysis
Root Cause failure analysis of metal, electronic and plastic components. The final analysis includes recommendations to prevent future failures through component design and proper material selection and processing.

Material Selection
The selection of the proper material is a key step in the design process. Comprehensive material expertise along with industrial experience, investigative research and testing capabilities to effectively provide material selection. We work with suppliers to define specifications, processing and necessary quality controls.

Mechanical Testing
We can test for a wide range of material properties - Hardness, Yield/Tensile Strength, Modulus of Elasticity, Frictional Characteristics (sled, Capstan), Compression Set and many other specific material properties. We have load cells from 500 grams to 10,000 pounds that we can set up non-standard tests to measure systems or materials to verify a model or to understand a manufacturing system. We have Rockwell, Superficial, Shore A, Shore D, and microhardness testing in lab and portable equipment.

Metallography
This can be used as a failure analysis tool. Once a sample is polished, microhardness readings are taken to measure surface treatments (nitriding, carburizing, etc.) for effective case depth.  This technique can identify a materials microstructure which can be used to determine grain size, inclusions type and size, carbide size, thermal treatment, etc..

Microstructures

Wear/Life Testing
We offer a wide range of wear test equipment to simulate interaction of mated materials. Tests are performed on candidate materials at various loading and environmental conditions.

Color Measurement
Color is measured of plastics and paint to confirm color matching to predetermined standard colors for product branding.  These samples are measured on a color spectrophotometer. A Gonio, sphere and 45/0 spectrophotometers available. Gloss meters are also used to measure the surface for gloss.

Corrosion
We determine the compatibility of materials with their environment. We test plastics, elastomers and metals in solutions that simulate the predicted environment. For metals the corrosion rate is calculated. In the case of plastics and elastomers, the hardness, material strength changes and size/weight change are used as predictors of materials compatibility.

Non-Destructive Testing
Portable x-ray fluorescent equipment (alloy analyzer) allows quick and cost effective on-site identification of metals ranging from aluminum, copper, and all types of steel. Measurement of plating and coating thickness. Infrared Thermal Imaging is applied to manufacturing and development applications to measure temperature profiles. Dye Penetrant testing identifies defects in metallic materials.

Paint Durability Testing
A number of ASTM and industry standard tests are available to measure organic coatings. These tests include but are not limited to the following: pencil hardness, cross-hatch adhesion, dry film thickness, chemical resistance, taber abrasion, salt spray, cyclic humidity, mar and impact resistance.

Surface Metrology
We have state of the art 2D and 3D stylus and non-contact surface measurement capability. This technology is used to characterize surface textures. Surface texture can directly affect optical, frictional, wear and other performance parameters. Replication and portable equipment allows on-site analysis.

Tribology and Lubrication
Recommendations are given on lubricant and bearing selection for special applications. Troubleshooting of general lubrication problems and analysis of bearing failure root causes