Metallurgical and Mechanical Investigation

Within our UKAS accredited laboratories we have extensive experience of metallurgical and mechanical tests for ascertaining material characterisation and identifying reasons for product failure. In addition we offer chemical analysis of raw materials, product testing to identify fitness for purpose, proof load testing, pressure testing and welder approval. In situ sampling and testing of steel structures is also offered in support of our structural investigation services.

Soil Mechanics provides an independent and expert Metallurgical investigation service, run by experienced and qualified consultants, which includes:

Metallurgical Testing

A comprehensive range of routine metallurgical tests are undertaken to establish:

• Grain size
• Case depth
• Inclusion content
• Plating thickness
• Decarburisation depth
• Intercrystalline corrosion.

These use a variety of techniques including:

• Scanning Electon Microscopy (SEM) with EDX probe
• Photomicrography
• Photography with digital imaging
• On-site metallography.

Proof of Loading

Typical products which benefit from our proof of loading tests include ladders to BS EN 131, staging, trestles, beams, posts, crash barriers and crowd crush barriers.

Chemical Analysis

Typical products tested include raw materials, cleaning products and polymers. Tests include:

• Direct reading – Spark Emission OES
• Leco – carbon and sulphur
• X-ray diffraction
• Organic analysis
• Inorganic analysis.

Mechanical Testing

We provide the following comprehensive range of mechanical testing and materials characterisation for product testing and failure investigation:

• Tensile testing BS EN 10002-1/BS 4A 4, ASTM A370/E8
• Izod Impact BS EN 131
• Compression testing
• Bend tests (flexure)
• Hardness (Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell, Micro).

Materials and Product Testing

Soil Mechanics have an extensive range of analytical instrumentation and expertise across a broad range of analysis including those used for: 

• Ascertaining fitness for purpose
• Compliance testing
• Raw materials testing
• Component quality control
• Testing ceramics, plastics, metals and metal alloys
• Competitor product testing
• Failure investigations
• Determining the chemical composition of alloys.

Typical products covered include hand tools, cutlery, kettles, barbecues, saucepans, cookware, garden tools, machined, cast and fabricated components including prototype and production items.

Welder Approval

We hold UKAS accreditation for testing of weld samples including:

• Weld procedure and welder approval testing to BS EN 287, Rolls Royce specifications, ASME IX, CAA (BCAR 8-10)
• Mechanical properties of the weld.

Pressure Testing

Typical products tested include pressure vessels, pipes, fire extinguishers, pressure cookers and encompasses:

• Burst testing
• Hydrostatic pressure upto 20,000 psi.