Laboratory Testing Inc.

Most often, materials testing services are required to ensure that products and their component parts can perform for their intended use and endure for their expected life span. LTI material testing services include elemental analysis, verification of mechanical properties and examination of microscopic product features and flaws. You can rely on our PRI/Nadcap accredited testing services to help you meet industry requirements, verify the quality of raw materials or your end product, or research the failure of a part or product. Whatever your need, our material testing laboratory will get you reliable information and answers about your materials.

Chemical Analysis

Chemical analysis services determine the composition or elemental make-up of materials, and are performed at LTI by instrumental methods and classical wet chemistry. Chemical testing is also performed for corrosion, humidity, passivation, density and porosity.

Mechanical Testing

Mechanical testing measures the strength and ductility of materials under various conditions, such as temperature, tension, compression and load. Read "Cargo Parachute Release Can Handle the Load"

Metallurgical Analysis

Metallurgical examinations look for internal and surface defects on test specimens, which we prepare and analyze in our material testing laboratory.

Materials Tested at LTI

Laboratory Testing is fully equipped and accredited to test and analyze a wide-range of metal parts and products such as tubing, pipe, bar, plates, castings and fasteners for many applications and industries. We also analyze powdered metals, ores, ferroalloys, composites, ceramics, aerospace materials and nuclear materials. Even extremely long or large materials, and the smallest samples, can be tested or inspected using the latest technology and state-of-the-art computerized equipment.

Nondestructive testing services can detect surface and sub-surface defects without harming your material or products. Nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are also used to inspect the quality of welds for Welder and Procedure Qualification or to detect corrosion. The nondestructive testing services at Laboratory Testing Inc. are PRI/Nadcap accredited and follow strict quality procedures to assure reliable results. Our NDT inspectors are certified to ASNT SNT-TC-1A, NAS410/MIL-STD-410, MIL-STD-2132 and Pratt & Whitney PWA-NDTQ to meet your industry requirements. All results are evaluated by our certified NDT Level II and Level III technicians.

The capacities of our nondestructive testing equipment and the layout of our facility allow LTI to inspect products and parts in all shapes and sizes, and orders of almost any quantity using NDT methods. We inspect metal tubing, pipe, bar, plates, castings, fasteners and other metal products, as well as some ceramic items. Our high-capacity forklifts and cranes safely handle materials weighing up to three tons.

Ultrasonic Testing

Both immersion and contact ultrasonic inspection (UT) services are performed at LTI to locate discontinuities in products and inconsistencies in tubing and pipe wall thickness. Three high-speed immersion ultrasonic testing machines inspect tubing, pipe and other round stock from 1/8 in. to 6 5/8 in. diameter up to 75 ft. long. Our two-axis, five-channel A, B, and C scan immersion ultrasound system inspects oversized round material up to 18 ft. long with a diameter up to 24 in., and flat material up to 18 ft. long and 4 ft. wide, with a weight limit of 5000 lbs. All of our immersion UT testing equipment is computerized for paperless chart recording and file retention. LTI has an extensive collection of tube, pipe, bar and plate reference standards for efficient order processing. Read "LTI Buys Ultrasonic Scanner from Mistras"

Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Hydrostatic pressure testing is used to verify the performance capability of fluid-filled tubing or pipe and can identify leaks. LTI can test tubing and pipe to pressures up to 10,000 PSI.

Magnetic Particle Inspection

Surface and near surface discontinuities can be identified in products that can be magnetized using magnetic particle testing services. Wet magnetic particle testing is performed by the fluorescent wet method on products up to 12 ft. long using equipment with a maximum output of 6,300 amps. Dry magnetic particle inspection services are also provided.

Liquid Penetrant Inspection

Liquid penetrant testing services are reliable for detecting surface-breaking flaws in materials with a non-porous surface. Both fluorescent penetrant testing services and visible penetrant inspection services are performed at LTI on products up to 40 ft. long. Water-washable and post-emulsifiable fluorescent penetrants in sensitivity levels 2, 3 and 4 are available to meet your specification or application.

X-ray Inspection/Radiography

X-ray inspection creates a permanent visible film record of a material’s internal condition and is used to locate internal discontinuities, verify the integrity of internal components and determine the quality of welds. At LTI, nearly all radiography is performed in our 20 ft. x 20 ft. radiography vault with X-ray equipment that can penetrate up to 4 1/2 inches of steel and is ideal for inspection of large parts such as weld plates and castings. Our technicians also work with a cabinet camera for small products such as electronic assemblies.

Visual Inspection

Inspectors are SNT-TC-1A certified.

Value-added Services

Laboratory Testing Inc. processes each order to satisfy our customer's complete nondestructive testing needs. We offer many additional services, from material preparation to special packaging and delivery, to complete your nondestructive testing order:

• Receipt inspection
• Cutting, trimming and deburring
• Material identification
  • Line marking
  • Stenciling
  • Electrochemical etching
• Packaging and shipping in accordance with ANSI N45.2.2 or customer specifications

At times, metal components fail to perform as expected. Our engineers complete a root cause analysis to help you understand the cause of the failure and provide insight into how to prevent similar failures in the future.

We begin each failure investigation with a background review of the material or components that failed. Customers provide us with information about the failed part and details of the failure event by completing a fillable Word document or PDF questionnaire.

The material analysis includes testing by various methods including mechanical testing, metallography, chemical analysis, nondestructive testing and dimensional inspection to determine the nature and probable root cause of the failure. When our analysis is complete, you will receive a comprehensive summary of all findings from the investigation. This Failure Analysis Report may include recommended actions to be taken with similar parts or materials to prevent a reoccurrence of the failure.

When you require precision specimens for testing, LTI's machinists can handle the order. We use computerized numerical control (CNC) equipment to prepare high quality, economical test specimens from metals including metal matrix composites, hardened steels and nickel-base alloys, and many plastics. Specialty services like low-stress grinding and EDM also are available.

Our machining is performed according to ASTM standards A-370, E-8, E-23 and customer specifications and LTI is PRI/Nadcap accredited for specimen preparation and low-stress grinding. LTI is on NIST's (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Qualified Manufacturers List for Charpy V-notch Impact verification specimens. Our wide-range of capabilities includes the following:

• Jominy
• Flat Tensile
• Round Tensile
• Flat Fatigue
• Izod Impact
• Dynamic Tear
• Stress Rupture
• Stress Corrosion
• Gleeble
• Charpy V-Notch Impact
• Rotating Beam & Low Cycle Fatigue
• Compact Tension
• Fracture Toughness
• Round Compression
• Hydrogen Embrittlement
• Face, Root, & Side Bend
• Rotating Beam & Low Cycle Fatigue

Calibration services compare the performance output of a tool or measuring instrument with a measurement standard. The calibration confirms that the item will produce results which meet or exceed that standard’s criteria.

Laboratory Testing performs NIST-traceable and A2LA-accredited dimensional, pressure, force, torque, mass and vacuum calibration services at one convenient location. Our professional staff works with state-of-the-art calibration equipment in an environmentally-controlled laboratory, so you can count on precise results and timely turnaround. Field calibration services and repair are available at your facility for many items.

Customers receive a detailed certificate of calibration for each item listing “as found” and “as left” conditions, our NIST-traceable standards, complete calibration results and any adjustments or repairs made during calibration. Pick-up and delivery services are offered for customers within 60 miles of our Hatfield, PA lab, at no additional charge.

Our equipment provides an extensive range of capabilities including:

• Torque calibration from 0 to 2,000 ft. lbs.
• Pressure calibration to 40,000 PSI.
• Length standards up to 120 in.
• Gage blocks up to 20 in.
• Surface plates up to 14 ft. diagonal

Instrument Calibration

LTI provides accurate and affordable calibration services for a wide range of gages, measuring tools, standards, and pressure, force, torque, mass and other instruments. We are happy to coordinate your orders for electrical, temperature, humidity and flow calibration with our approved vendors.

Field Services

Field calibration services are generally performed on surface plates, optical comparators, hardness testers, balances and compression testing machines that are too large or fragile to be transported to our facility, or that cannot be taken out of service for a few days at a time.

Instruments, Parts & Repairs

Our technicians can perform many mechanical repairs and adjustments in our lab and the field.

In-depth dimensional inspection is performed on surface and specialty features of machined products and parts, including internally and externally threaded fasteners. First-article and third-party inspections can be performed according to NAS, MS and ANSI specifications. Our capabilities are A2LA accredited and include:

• Inspection of large items up to 18" x 20" x 16" with our contact CMM.
• Non-contact measurement of items up to 20” x 18” x 8” using our video CMM.