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Metallurgical Testing Services
Solar Atmospheres operates a metallurgical testing services laboratory with 
highly capable analytical instrumentation. For example, Solar’s vacuum carburizing and vacuum nitriding R&D programs initiated several improvements over the years. This is highlighted by a state-of-the-art computer controlled microhardness tester with an integrated, automatic moving stage. Fully automated microhardness profiles (traversals) of carburized and nitrided case depths are made and graphically plotted for review and archiving. The computerized stage control and indentation measuring systems significantly improve test accuracy, precision, and repeatability of results.
To prepare specimens for the most accurate microhardness testing results obtainable, they are mounted in a hard Bakelite compound and then polished to a mirror finish using a semi-automatic grinding and polishing preparation system. The automatic polishing unit can prepare six microspecimens at a time for rapid and efficient preparation. Further, automatic grinding and polishing of specimens significantly improves quality and consistency over manual polishing, which is critical for proper evaluation of carburized and nitrided cases where excellent surface edge retention is required.
Solar’s Metallurgical Testing Services Laboratory is equipped with all of the chemicals and equipment required to perform detailed optical microscopy of materials. The metallurgical analysis is overseen by Solar’s Corporate Metallurgist who has over 30 years experience in metallurgical testing services.
Following chemical etching to reveal the microstructure, specimens are evaluated using a Nikon, Epiphot metallograph. This precision optical microscope provides observation and photography of microstructures up to 1,000X magnification with five turret mounted objective lenses. The high quality digital camera interfaces with a computer system for real time viewing of structures on a 17-inch LCD screen for multiple viewer observation. The system also provides hard copy photomicrographs, indexing and permanent storage of data on the company’s server.
Please contact us for assistance with any of your metallurgical testing services needs.
