LAB EXPANDS HARDNESS TESTING CAPABILITIES
Laboratory Testing added a metals testing system for microhardness and macrohardness that is ideal for testing weld quality in the heat affected zone.
Posted: June 25, 2010
The Metallography Lab at Laboratory Testing Inc. (LTI) (Hatfield, PA) has expanded its capabilities with the purchase of a state-of-the-art hardness testing system, a Struers DuraScan. The PC-operated system covers both microhardness and macrohardness test applications. The new equipment has significantly expanded the company?s test load range for Vickers and Knoop with capabilities from 10 gf ? 10 kgf:
? Vickers: 10 g ? 20 kg
? Knoop: 10 g ? 2 kg
In addition to load range, the mounted sample size features of this hardness testing equipment have increased the company?s previous capabilities. The Struers DuraScan accommodates test samples up to 5.5 in in diameter and 10 in in height.
The Metallography Lab at Laboratory Testing Inc. generally performs microhardness testing on metal samples, but other materials may be tested on a case-by-case basis. The new equipment is ideal for case hardness depth (CHD) measurements and testing the quality of welds in the heat affected zone.
Microhardness testing is an indentation method for measuring the hardness of a material on a microscopic scale. A precision diamond indenter is impressed into the material at a range of loads. Precision microscopes are used to measure the indentations. The dimensions of the impression and the test load are used to calculate a hardness value. These values are used as indicators of material properties and expected service behavior.
Laboratory Testing Inc. specializes in materials testing, nondestructive testing, failure analysis, calibration services, dimensional inspection and specimen machining. The lab is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by PRI/Nadcap and A2LA, which complies with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. Mechanical, chemical, metallurgical and nondestructive testing services are performed on metals and alloys. Chemical analysis is also available for powdered metals, ores, ferroalloys, composites and ceramics.
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