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

• Calorimetric analyses (DSC)

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

• Tensile, compression and bend tests
• Torsional tests
• Static test of parts and components
• Charpy impact test
• Dynamic tests, fatigue tests
• Rotating beam fatigue tests *
• Vickers hardness test / Shore hardness test
• Conductivity measurements on non-ferrous metals
• Optical 3D deformation analyses *

Surface analysis

• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
• Contact angle measurement
• Topography and roughness measurement
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Coatings

• Chemical composition (SEM / EDX)
• Coating thickness / Porosity

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

• Pin-on-disk friction and wear test
• Wear tests (hip and spine simulator)

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 *

• Advisory service, planning and validation of investigations
• Literature reviewing (ISO 10993-1)

* not accredited