Materials Analysis

Acuren’s team of professional engineers and technologists are backed by one of the largest, most advanced materials testing labs in North America. Metallic and non-metallic materials can be analyzed for chemical composition, material properties, and microstructure with state-of-the-art testing equipment.

Macro & Micro Hardness Testing
Hardness testing is often specified when ordering materials to ensure appropriate strength. Hardness testing can also be required for wear applications, sour service or machining requirements. Macro hardness testing is usually performed using Brinell, Rockwell or Vickers instruments. We use these methods as well as specialized methods including microhardness (loads as low as 10g,) Shore and superficial Rockwell. Portable Vickers hardness testing is also available for parts that cannot be cut or shipped to our laboratory. 

Metallography
Metallography is the examination of a material’s crystal structure. A sample chosen for examination is initially polished to a mirror finish. The surface is then treated with an appropriate etchant, which preferentially corrodes the grain boundaries, revealing the crystal structure. The structure may then be viewed with the aid of a metallurgical microscope at magnifications up to 1000 times, or higher still if required, using a scanning electron microscope.

In-situ Metallography (Field Replication)
Nondestructive in-situ metallography can be performed on components that cannot be brought to the laboratory or that cannot be cut. A similar polishing and etching procedure is used but instead of placing the prepared sample on the microscope, a replica of the surface is taken, using a special plastic (acetate) film which is softened and placed over the prepared surface. The micostructural features are transferred to the film and it can then be viewed on a microscope.

Applications:
- Boiler tubes can be examined to detect spheroidization or other effects on the microstructure caused by overheating.
- Shafts can be examined to determine heat treatment condition.
- Steel piping or other products in a storage yard can be examined to sort by grade or carbon content.
- Fire damage evaluation.
- Determination of the cause and significance of imperfections detected by nondestructive testing.

PMI
 Positive Material Identification (PMI) qualitatively identifies material composition and is an excellent method for determining material grades, and for sorting. PMI involves a portable alloy analysis tool that our trained personnel can use at your site to perform non-destructive material identification.