Macroscopic and microscopic characterisation and analyses of all classes of materials: metals, ceramics, composites and their respective oxidation, corrosion and reaction products. Identification of solid and liquid substances. Qualitative and quantitative examination and characterisation of treated and untreated surfaces, fracture surfaces and coatings.

Macroscopic chemical and structural analyses

• X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (Metals, Ceramics, Powders, Oils)
• Gas Extraction Analysis (O, N, H)
• Combustion Analysis (C, S)
• X-Ray Diffractometry (Phases, composition, corrosion products)

Element C Al Si P S Ti V Cr Mn Co Ni Cu Nb Mo W Fe

(Gew.%) 0.32 <0.010 0.20 0.010 0.015 <0.010 <0.010 0.96 0.82 0.012 0.15 0.25 <0.010 0.16 0.014 Basis

Detective bearing casing - was the right material used?

Micro – Nano Analyses and Characterisation

• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with state-of-the-art EDX analysis
• Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) for quantitative microanalysis and element distribution mapping
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  

Our scanning Electron Microskope (SEM)	SEM Micrograph of a fracture surface: left: overview right: detail

Surface and through thickness elemental distribution

Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOS) for analysing coatings (CVD, PVD, galvanic coatings), surface treatments (passivation etc.) and other surface features (oxides, films etc.).

GDOS-Depht profile of a defective galvanic coating

Additional methods and techniques

• Quantitative image analysis (inclusions, porosity, structures, phase analysis, etc.)
• Particle size distributions (relative amounts, size distribution)
• Measurement of specific surface area
• Analysis of processing media
• Determination of coefficient of thermal expansion CTE
  

Quantitative image analysis Determination of the pore size distribution in a thermally sprayed ceramic coating. Only isometric porosity was evaluated.

Delivery

Materials analyses can normally be delivered within 1 – 3 working days

SWA - your competent partner in case of damage, failure analysis and prevention, materials, material analysis, corrosion protection, corrosion testing, water analyses, microbiological assessement, polymers and polymer characterization, metallography and asbestos analysis.