As an accredited materials testing laboratory, we can support you in the following areas of materials testing:
Metals
Chemical composition
- X-ray fluorescence analyses (XRF)
- Inorganic analyses using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- Determination of C, S, H, N, O and Ar content in metallic materials by inert gas fusion (IGF) principle
- X-ray diffraction (XRD)
Microstructure/Materialography
- Determination of the grain size, microstructure and volume fractions in multiple-phase materials
- Determination of non-metallic inclusions in metals
- Determination of precipitated phase contents
- Intergranular corrosion test (ASTM A262 practice A and E)
Polymers
Chemical composition
- Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)
- Trace element analysis (XRF, ICP-MS)
- Ash content
- Assessment of the degree of crosslinking in polyethylene
Crystallinity, phase transition
Ceramics
Chemical composition
- X-ray fluorescence analyses (XRF)
- Inorganic analyses using ICP-MS
- Crystalline phases, e.g. phase purity of ß-tricalcium phosphates and hydroxyapatite (XRD)
- Determination of trace elements in calcium phosphates (ISO 13175-3, ISO 13779-3, ASTM F1088, F1185 and F1581)
Further properties
- Residual moisture content
- Cohesion of pastes and cements
- Identification and quantification of ceramic degradation products
- Dissolution test on calcium phosphates (ISO 13175-3)
Physical and mechanical tests
Surface analysis
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- Contact angle measurement
- Topography and roughness measurement
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Coatings
Powder and particle analysis
- Technical cleanliness (VDA19.1 / ISO 16232)
- Particle size measurements (optical, SEM, laser diffraction)
- Surface coverage
- Particle composition (EDX, FT-IR)
- Determination of the specific surface area of powders and porous solids
Biocompatibility (ISO 10993)
- Leachables & Extractables (ISO 10993-14, -15)
- Cleanliness (XPS, ICP-MS)
- Toxicology studies (literature; ISO 10993-1, -17) *
- Validation of the reprocessing of medical devices (cleanliness) *
Tribology: Friction and Wear
Various investigations
- Failure analyses
- Climatic chamber tests, e.g. artificial ageing
- Washing, sterilisation and cleaning test for medical devices
- Corrosion measurements (electrochemical methods)
- Density determination of solids and liquids
- Titrimetric analyses
- Determination of viscosity
- Crack test / Penetrant testing
- Finite element analyses (FEA)
Consulting / Validation / Literature *
* not accredited