The laboratory supports different testing labs through:
- Positioning of test samples (e.g., sub-sized fracture mechanics samples from HAZ, fusion line or weld metal)
- Positioning of notches and fatigue pre-cracks (corrosion and mechanical/fracture mechanical testing)
- General documentation of weldments
- Macrophoto
- Macro hardness measurements as mentioned above (to obtain information on maximum hardness and hardness distribution information)
- Weld defects (cracks, porosity, lack of fusion/penetration, inclusions/slag, undercuts, etc.) and built up of individual beads/layers
- Brittle fracture initiation
- Initiation of corrosion attacks
In addition, the laboratory is equipped with microscopes used for
- Quantitative microstructure analyses
- Solidification microstructure (dendritic, cellular, etc.)
- Volume fractions of phases (examples are martensite-austenite, M-A, constituents in welding of structural steel, formation of sigma phase in duplex stainless steel, etc.)
- Ferrite content and austenite spacing in duplex stainless steel
- Grain size
- Microhardness measurements to achieve information on local properties of inhomogeneous materials
- Damage and failure analyses
- Characterization of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and sulphides stress cracking (SSC)
The following equipment is available:
- Cutting machines
- Hot mounting press and cold mounting systems
- Grinding and polishing equipment
- Equipment for electrolytic polishing and etching
- Stereo microscope
- Light optical microscope with fully motorized stand
- Micro hardness tester with test force of 5 kgf to 500 gf
- Hardness tester with test force of 200 gf to 30 kgf. The test cycle is fully motorised.