| Materials and Failure Analysis |
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The Materials and Failure analysis group has over 40 years experience in providing failure analyses, materials characterisation (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites and coatings), water analyses and microbiological assays.
We provide support and consulting for our customers in materials related issues, including selection and design of coatings and overlays, corrosion prevention, design of components, processing quality control, etc.
We also provide professional training seminars and problem-focussed courses.
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| Failure Analysis |
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Premature damage and failure not only causes direct costs through the necessity of providing repairs and replacements, but can result in significantly higher secondary costs through plant down-time or contamination, e.g., by polluting substances, oils, etc. Even worse than the direct financial consequences are cases in which repeated failure seriously damages a company's reputation with its customers, or where life, limb or the environment are seriously threatened.
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| Metallography |
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Our metallographers primarily provide support for quality assurance or on processing issues. Using state-of-the art reflected light and transmitted light microscopy to examine polished sections and mountings, the microstructure, grain size or defects and inclusions can be characterised. Our well equipped experts are also able to provide on-site, non-destructive evaluation. Additional metallograhic services range from hardness measurement to the determination of remaining cyclic life.
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| Overview of Methods and Equipment |
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Our comprehensive analytical tools enable us to evaluate almost the entire range of materials, from the macroscopic to the nanometre scale. Both solid and liquid substances can be identified, analysed and quantified. Metals, ceramics, polymeric materials and their corrosion, oxidation and reaction products can be characterised. An assessment of surfaces and coatings is possible down to the nanometre scale. Our instrumentation includes equipment for analysing distribution of phases, measuring mechanical properties such as hardness, and for determining both static and dynamic mechanical response. If required, tribological or corrosion tests can be conducted.
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| Materials Analysis |
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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.
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| Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) |
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Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is an all-purpose tool for research, development, quality assurance and failure analysis. Components, assemblies and newly developed materials can be inspected and characterised with respect to their material and surface properties.
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| Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) |
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The Electron Probe Microanalysis provides elemental analysis of solids with micrometer resolution. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses can be conducted as spot analyses, line scans (concentration profiles) and surface analyses (elemental distribution graphs).
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| Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) |
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High resolution characterisation of diverse surfaces from the micrometre into the nanometre scale. Qualitative and quantitative characterisation and evaluation of the surface topography of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, etc.
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| Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOS) |
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It is becoming increasingly important to be able to analyse surfaces, coatings, intermediate layers and boundary layers. Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOS) provides an excellent tool for doing this. Very accurate depth profile analyses showing elemental distribution can be conducted on galvanic, CVD, PVD and chemical coatings and overlays, as well as on passivated or nitrided surfaces.
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| Asbestos measurements according to VDI-Norm 3492 |
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We conduct preventive and verification assays in rooms where asbestos contamination is suspected. As the only Swiss company capable of evaluating samples on its own SEM, we have very short delivery times (= 24 Hours).
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