Field Metallurgical Services 

• In-situ Metallography

Positive Material Identification (PMI)

Our technicians are cross trained in instrument technology, alloy composition, metallography, industrial standards and statistical analysis. When we arrive on-site you can rest assured that we are fully capable of providing your specific needs with accurate results without damaging your parts. Put your trust in a certified laboratory.

When exotic, vintage or foreign material is spotted, the technicians get help from the Ph.D in the lab. With many years' experience, based on the appearance, chemical compositioin, in-situ macro and micro-structures and hardness, we are able to identify nearly any metal or alloys, with or without coatings. From wrought iron to Maraging alloys, from Armco iron pipe to API X80, from electroless Ni coating to self-fluxed thermal spray coating, from rimmed steel pipe to spun cast ET45 Micro, from Chinese GB 20CrMnTi to French AFNOR 30NCD12, we have seen them all.

Heat Treatment Verification

We are capable of differentiating between varying degrees of heat treatment by using in-situ metallorgraphy and hardness testing. For example, we can help grade out your Precipitation Hardened alloys such as 17-4 PH, 15-7Mo PH and Inco 718. We can determine if your steel was annealed, normalized, quenched/tempered or aged.  All these can be done just by minor polishing.

Carbon Analysis/Content

As part of our PMI services we routinely measure Carbon in all alloys, We measure carbon in L-Grade stainless in amounts as small as 0.008% by using OES and LIBS.
Nickel alloys pose no problem to us. Carbon steels are also easily measured and analyzed.



Custom Calibration

Our custom calibrations allow us to perform accurate assessments of your micro-alloyed materials. Examples would include A572-50, A500, API X65 and A709-50, When grading carbon steels accurate calibrations are critical.




Hardness Testing

Hardness testing is sometimes regarded in a condenscending manner.

However, when performed conscientiously, hardness testing provides several valabule insights on a material’s properties.

Equipped with UCI hardness testers with closest performance of the desktop counterparts, our technicians are trained to perform this service in a meticulously controlled fashion. This allows us to field-evaluate material to a degree previously unattainable. We also have rebounder type of hardness tester and Telebrinell.



Ferrite Content

We own 13 Fischer Ferritescopes which are the Cadillac of the field ferrite measuring industry.We are very experienced in measurement and evaluation of duplex materials. We have good experience regarding detection of the presence of sigma phase in duplex/super duplex materials.Our documentation reports of these examinations sets the industry standard and meets/exceeds all known Specifications.We routinely measure the Ferrite content of austenitic stainless steel welds.





Metallurgical Properties

We are capable of filed-duplication of almost every lab procedure performed in the petro-chemical and power generation industry.We have etched Inco 800 in the field in out of position heater configurations.We have etched Super Duplex material in a shop environment (within OSHA safety regulations).We have performed Copper Sulfate tests in shop environments and not violated OSHA regulations.



Elemental Composition

We typically render results in weighted averages.You will not receive a simple Identification Only(ID) reports from us.There are too many possibilities of error involved in simple ID evaluations based on analyzer/screen readouts.Our technicians do not simply “parrot” screen info…
        We analyze the weighted averages
        We calculate/determine accuracy
        We analyze the data
        We report the results in a thorough, easy to understand report form





Ferroxyl Test for Free Iron

Ferro-Cyanide testing is not a problem for PMI Specialists.We can perform this test within all OSHA safety requirements.The results are stated in both data and verbiage reports.



On Line (High Temp.) Alloy Verification

With 20 years experience in Retro PMI programs……we “wrote the book” on this service.The ability of analyzers to perform this testing is the result of our input to manufacturers.Our technicians have the field savvy to inter-relate with the necessary support crews.We also are capable of coordinating the overall operation.





Fitness For Service

Our ability to elicit pertinent information from various testing methods allows us to better evaluate your material. Our extensive array of instrumentation makes the tasks associated with Fitness For Service possible.



Copper Sulfate Testing

We have provided this test for the presence of Iron in stainless steel for years.The spraying of the Copper Sulfate solution is performed within OSHA regulations. The results are reported on both database and metallurgical verbiage reports.



Fire Damage Assessment

With in-stiu grain structure and hardness testing capabilities, we routinely perform fire damage assessment on steels and alloys for Oil rigs, Chemical plants and Refineries.