Laboratory Services
Laboratory Services encompass the full scope of materials testing—from selection of appropriate analytical characterization techniques to data generation and formal test reporting. Testing may follow established industry standards or employ tailored methodologies when no formal standards exist. Deliverables may include raw and processed data, technical documentation, and structured test reports.
Services are available for:
- Selection or evaluation of test methods when the approach is unclear
- Materials identification or verification
- Regulatory compliance assessments
- Independent support for research and development
- Quality assurance, quality control, or verification analysis
Looking for a technique or service not listed?
Select Laboratory Service Categories
High Resolution Optical Imaging with 2x-2000x Magnification Microscopes, NEW KEYENCE VHX-7000 digital microscope system, Portable Microscopes, Borescopes, Multidimensional Imaging with Precision Measurements, Photo Documentation with up to 46MP BSI-CMOS Full Frame Sensor capabilities, Ultra High Definition 4k Video, and Video Analysis, etc.
NEW Portable Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) with ultra-light element detection, capable of detecting every element in the periodic table from Hydrogen (H) to Uranium (U); Fully non-destructive and portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) with light element detection; Portable Sigmascope and Feritscope; Elemental chemical analysis of Metallic and Nonmetallic Materials; Identification of Alloys, Grade, Temper, Condition, Microstructures, Deleterious Phases, Intermetallics; Non-Destructive Analysis of magnetic materials or phases including ferrite, delta ferrite, strain-induced martensite and others, Surface Roughness Measurements.
Corrosion Testing & Identification, Intergranular Corrosion (IGC) Studies, Aging & Chemical Resistance Studies, Weight Loss, Coating analysis, Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC) Identifications, Galvanic Corrosion, etc.
Fracture Surface Analysis, Mode of Failure, Fracture Surface Documentation, etc.
Particle identification and Analysis, Filter Analysis, Foreign Object Debris (FOD), Grease / Oil Analysis, etc.
High-quality precision Metallography in the laboratory as well as portable Field Metallography including portable material identification techniques (such as LIBS and XRF) and Hardness testing equipment (Rockwell, UCI, and Leeb) for when in-service/field examinations are necessary. Some common metallography services are Carbon Equivalent (CE) testing, Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) analysis, Heat damage, Thermal Degradation, Creep, Average Grain Size Determination- ASTM E112, Prior-Austenite Grain Size, Microstructural Documentation & Characterization, Coating Examination, Microstructural Evolution / Decomposition Processing Studies, Inclusion Content- ASTM E45, Surface Replication.
Image Analysis on a variety of images. Some examples are Secondary Microstructural Phases, Porosity, Coating Voids, Nodularity, Inclusion Content- ASTM E1245, Pinhole Frequency- ASTM B926, Dimensional Analysis, etc.
NEW Portable Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) with ultra-light element detection capable of detecting every element in the periodic table from Hydrogen (H) to Uranium (U); NEW portable Hardness testing equipment (Rockwell, UCI and Leeb); Fully non-destructive and portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) with light element detection; Non-Destructive Testing and Analysis; Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements; Electrical Conductivity with a Phase Sensitive Eddy Current Technique; Magnetic Induction Measurements; Dimensional Analysis
NEW Portable Hardness testing equipment via Rockwell, Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI), and Leeb techniques; NEW United Speedy Tensile Test Machine (30,000 lbf capability). Custom Physical Testing, Tension / Compression Testing, Bend Testing, Force Gauges (-700 to 700 lbf capability), etc.
Test Management, Laboratory Testing Contracts, Custom Testing Setups, Design of Experiments (DOE), etc.
Water analysis, Electrical Conductivity, Magnetic Induction, Viscosity, pH, Density, Melting Point, Heat treatment studies.
Testing per standards. ASTM, ASME, ANSI, ISO, AMS, API, AWS, SAE, MIL, NASM, ARMY, CFR, FDA, ASQC, FAA, NASA, FED, DoD, DoE, DoT, SEMI, EN, JIS, etc.
Laboratory Expertise
When necessary, we can conduct a portion of the work at our partnering laboratories. The following equipment may be available in more than one location with niche qualities and advantages.
- Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM)
- High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HRSEM)
- Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD)
- Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam (DBFIB)
- X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM)
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
- Raman Spectroscopy
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
- Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
- Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
- X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry
- Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) Spectroscopy
- Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS)
- Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
- X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
- Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)
- Instrumental Gas Analysis (IGA)
- Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
- Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES)
- Real-Time X-Ray (RTX)
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning
- Thermal Conductivity (TC)
- Portable Hardness (Rockwell, UCI, Leeb)
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
- Optical Profilometry (OP)
- Nanoindentation hardness
- Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
- Charpy Impact Testing (CVN)
- Fatigue Testing
- Fracture Toughness Testing
- Gleeble Testing
- Stress Rupture & Creep Testing
- Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM)
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
- Electrochemical Potentiodynamic Reactivation (EPR)
Laboratory Engagement Process
Each inquiry is reviewed by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and begins with a no- cost consultation to clarify objectives and evaluate suitable approaches.
If the request falls within the laboratory’s scope of services, a detailed quote is provided. If not, a referral to a more appropriate resource may be offered—also at no cost.
When services are retained, sample preparation is performed by or under the direction of a PE. This may include material selection, collection, markup, or sectioning, depending on project requirements.
Laboratory testing may be conducted or supervised by a PE, as appropriate. Final reports can be prepared or reviewed by a PE, based on the level of technical documentation
needed.
Strict Confidentiality
Scope of Laboratory Services
Laboratory services are limited to laboratory expertise, testing and the generation of test and analysis results. These services do not include product failure analysis, production troubleshooting, engineering consulting, design of experiments, conclusions, or recommendations.
If you are uncertain whether your needs fall under laboratory or consulting services—or if the appropriate service depends on context. Consulting Services are suggested.