Metallurgical Analysis

Metallurgical Lab Identifies Material Defects & Structure

Metallurgical analysis can be a valuable source of information to any industry working with metals. The engineers in Laboratory Testing Inc.’s metallurgical laboratory can examine samples to detect surface and internal flaws, determine microstructural features, evaluate heat treatments and assure conformance to required specifications. The metallurgical lab at LTI also performs root cause failure analysis when performance issues occur with metal products.

LTI metallurgical analysis is PRI/Nadcap and A2LA accredited and completed according to detailed procedures to assure reliable results. Customers receive a Certified Test Report showing complete results of each test.

The first step in metallurgical analysis is test sample preparation. Samples are prepared in our metallurgical lab using precision cutting, mounting, grinding and polishing techniques, as well as etching when required.

Metallurgical analysis is performed by LTI’s engineers using a wide range of microscopic and macroscopic examination methods, microhardness testing and state-of-the-art equipment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) equipment provides magnification to 300,000X for microanalysis of very small samples and areas of interest. Metallurgical analysis findings and results can be documented using digital imaging microscopes with optical magnification capabilities from 7X to 1000X. Welder and procedure qualification and corrosion analysis are additional services provided by the metallurgical laboratory at LTI.