MATERIAL LAB

Our laboratory supports both in-house development and third party projects that require special services related to material

We offer professional advice concerning specific materials including how they behave, when they excel and the limits of their ability:

  • TESTING: following custom standards and protocols
  • INVESTIGATION: covering defects and damages, loss assemssment and disputes
  • CONSULTANCY: for material selection and process optimization

TEST

INVESTIGATION

CONSULTANCY

When checking the conformity of a material or when developing a reliable component is strategic, the laboratory can:

  • perform tests according to international standards, or according to specifications or protocols provided by the customer
  • develop customised test protocols and design their set ups, in collaboration with other NCS Lab divisions

STATIC AND DYNAMIC MECHANICAL TESTS

Samples or specific components are tested to obtain characteristic mechanical data for control and R&D purposes as well as structural calculations and drawings. These tests include:
static type: tensile strength, modulus, elongation, etc. (through tensile, compressive and bending tests)
fatigue life limit (through cyclical tests)
A variety of test machines are available that allow a wide range of choice in terms of loads, set up customization and test environment.

CHARACTERIZATION OF METALLIC AND NON-METALLIC MATERIALS

The composition of various types of material is verified, through destructive or non-destructive tests, both for the purpose of checking conformity and for the detection of anomalies to support investigation work.

MICROANALYSIS (EDS, FT-IR) Including:

  • Characterization of coatings, finishes and microstructural details
  • Identification of films, fibers, particulates and debris
  • Cleaning check / surface contamination

For all cases of damage, malfunction or unsatisfactory performance, the laboratory can help to identify causes of the problem and advise about responsibility, process or material correction.

  • Failure analysis investigations on rupture, corrosion and wear problems
  • Technical expertise in the event of civil or industrial accidents and legal disputes

Our twenty years of experience in solving difficult problems related to treatments and defects of metallic and non-metallic materials allow us to provide proven expertise when it comes to the design and choice of materials and related processes.

 

With nearly twenty years of experience in testing and investigation of materials, NCS Lab has a wealth of expertise to provide support for the following complex and high value-added activities:

  • Consultancy in the choice of materials and processes
  • Supporting the optimization of products and processes
  • Temporary management for R&D and industrialization projects

For any project that might involve fine-tuning a component, the customer can rely on our know-how in long-term collaboration for complex projects. We are also available to provide temporary management to help manage work groups for predefined objectives and to implement supply chain management.

TEST

Per tutti i settori nei quali la verifica della conformità di un materiale o la messa a punto di un componente affidabile siano strategici, il laboratorio può:

  • eseguire prove in base a norme internazionali, oppure in base a capitolati o protocolli forniti dal cliente
  • sviluppare protocolli di prova personalizzati e progettare i relativi set up, in collaborazione con le altre divisioni di NCS Lab

PROVE MECCANICHE STATICHE E DINAMICHE
Eseguite su provini o componenti, permettono di ricavare dati meccanici caratteristici, da utilizzare sia a scopo di controllo, che di R&D, come anche per calcoli strutturali e disegni:

  • di tipo statico: carico a rottura, modulo, allungamento, ecc. (mediante prove a trazione, a compressione, a flessione)
  • limite di vita a fatica (attraverso prove cicliche)

Sono disponibili diverse macchine di prova che consentono un ampio range di scelta in termini di carichi, personalizzazione del set up e dell’ambiente di prova.

CARATTERIZZAZIONE MATERIALI METALLICI E NON METALLICI
Si verifica la composizione di varie tipologie di materiali, attraverso prove distruttive o non distruttive, sia a scopo di verifica della conformità, sia di accertamento di anomalie a supporto di lavori di indagine.

MICROANALISI (EDS, FT-IR):

  • Caratterizzazioni di rivestimenti, finiture e dettagli microstrutturali
  • Identificazione di film, fibre, particolato e detriti
  • Verifica di pulizia/contaminazione superficiale

INDAGINI

Per tutte le casistiche di danneggiamento, malfunzionamento o prestazione insoddisfacente, il laboratorio può contribuire ad individuare cause e meccanismi della problematica e, quindi, a consigliare come intervenire su materiali e processi e a definire eventuali responsabilità:

  • Indagini di failure analysis su problematiche di rottura, corrosione e usura
  • Perizie tecniche in caso di sinistri civili o industriali e contenziosi legali

Un esperienza quasi ventennale sui materiali metallici e non metallici, utilizzati in vari settori ed applicazioni, sui loro trattamenti e le loro difettologie, consente di indirizzare la ricerca delle cause e di sfruttare al meglio l’attività di problem solving, ricavando anche eventuali suggerimenti di intervento sulla progettazione e sulla scelta dei materiali e dei relativi processi.

CONSULENZA

L’esperienza quasi ventennale in ambito di test ed indagini, il trasferimento di tecnologie tra vari settori industriali e la collaborazione con gli altri dipartimenti di NCS Lab rendono disponibili un bagaglio di competenze che consentono di fornire supporto per le seguenti attività complesse e ad alto valore aggiunto:

– Consulenza sulla scelta di materiali e processi
– Affiancamento nell’ottimizzazione di prodotti e processi
– Temporary management per progetti di R&D e industrializzazione

Per qualunque obiettivo strategico che comporti la messa a punto ottimale di un componente, il cliente può fare affidamento sul nostro know-how, attraverso una collaborazione anche di medio-lungo termine per progetti complessi. In modo analogo a quanto facciamo internamente coordinando risorse di NCS Lab per lo sviluppo di dispositivi a nostro marchio, siamo a disposizione per assumere il management temporaneo per gestire gruppi di lavoro fino ad obiettivi prestabiliti e per implementare catene di fornitura.

Tools

When useful:

  • Failure analysis:
    – rupture, damage, corrosion and wear morphologies for identifying causes and mechanisms
    – investigation of defects, cracks, deposits, inclusions, etc. to determine their nature and possible causes
    – study of morphology and surface topography for the verification of treatments and coatings
  • Image analysis and length measurement:
    – with high magnification (nominally up to over 100,000X)
    – with nominal resolution up to nanometer level
  • Analysis of organic samples (polymers, composites, paints, etc.) without metallization with low vacuum technology (LV)
  • Images with discrimination of zones of different composition by means of a back-spread electron probe
  • Microstructural insight on sections
  • Punctual chemical analysis by microanalysis with paired EDS probe (see dedicated sheet).

Main features:

  • High resolution and high magnification surface images
  • Analysis of massive materials, fragments, fibres, coatings and films
  • Study of morphology and surface topography
  • Frattographic surveys
  • It can be a destructive technique

We use the JEOL JSM6390LV instrument, equipped with sensors for secondary and backflow electrons, top and bottom vacuum operation, motorized controls for the movement of the sample in the chamber, EDS probe

When useful:

Allows the identification of all organic matrix materials:

  • polymers and elastomers
  • varnishes, adhesives and sealants
  • oils
  • solvents and detergents
  • food, cosmetics, medicines….

and also some inorganic matrixes, for the following purposes:

  • control of raw materials (granules, artifacts, fragments, etc.)
  • identification of unknown materials, even in microscopic form
  • analysis of organic coatings (paints) and thin films
  • analysis of the degree of surface cleaning/contamination
  • study of surface defects and failure analysis
  • Characterisation of phases and inclusions

Main features:

  • Analysis of massive materials, fragments, fibres and films
  • Identification of contamination or phases
  • Micrometric resolution
  • Non-destructive or minimally destructive technique
  • Applicable to all organic and partly inorganic materials

We use the THERMO iN10 instrument, unique for the microscope design directly integrated into the FT-IR spectrometer (with gain in signal intensity and therefore resolution).

Main features:

  • High resolution and high magnification surface images
  • Analysis of massive materials, fragments, fibres, coatings and films
  • Study of morphology and surface topography
  • Frattographic surveys
  • It can be a destructive technique

This allows you to obtain characteristic mechanical data.
You can realize:

  • static tests: tensile strength and modulus of elasticity (e. g. tensile, compressive, flexural), yield strength and elongation (e. g. tensile)
  • dynamic tests: fatigue life limit

When useful:

  • Research and development of new materials/components
  • control of raw materials
  • failure analysis
  • revenue of useful data for structural calculation and design activities

NCS lab uses two servohydraulic machines, both for static and dynamic testing:

  • Schenk Hydropuls (dynamic working range ± 250 kN)
  • Italsigma Multiaxial Fatigue:
    – multiactuator
    – dynamic working range ± 2 kN; ± 10 kN; ± 20 kN (3 different load cells)
  • Test bench with customizable set ups (designed and produced internally)

When useful:

  • Determination of characteristic thermal events (temperatures of: glass transition, melting, crystallization, etc.) of polymeric materials
  • Identification and comparison of organic matrix materials (thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic matrix composites, elastomers, adhesives, paints) through characteristic thermal events
  • Verification of the material’s conformity and thermal history in case of polymer component failure
  • Determination of the crystallinity degree of semi-crystalline polymers
  • Determination of the curing degree of thermosetting resins

Uses and main features:

  • Determination of the nature of polymeric materials
  • Identification of different contaminations or phases
  • Semi-destructive technique
  • Applicable to all organic and partly inorganic materials.

We use the Perkin Elmer instrument, Pyris DSC 6, with an intercooler cooling system that allows cycles starting from about -50°C.

When useful:

  • Qualitative and semi-quantitative chemical analysis, punctual or local
  • Linear concentrating profiles and element distribution mapping
  • Identification of unknown materials, even in the form of fragments, deposits, thin layers, etc.
  • Treatment and coating analysis
  • Cleaning/Surface contamination assessment
  • Evaluation of corrosive phenomena and wear damage
  • Identification and distribution of phases, microstructural studies on sections
  • Detection limit: at least 0.1-0.2% (depending on sample, individual element and several other variables)
  • Analyzed volume: Side size 50 nm, depth 100-5000 nm

Main features:

  • Non-destructive technique
  • Elementary qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis
  • Analysis of massive materials, fragments, fibres, coatings and films
  • Analysis of various materials (metals, non-metal, minerals, etc.)
  • Nominal detection limit approx. 0.1 %wtLinear profiles and composition mapping

We use the JEOL JSM6390LV instrument, equipped with an EDS microanalysis probe.

When it is useful:

  • Control of the effectiveness of heat treatment on metal alloys
  • Control of the effectiveness of surface hardening treatments
  • Control of incoming materials

Uses and main features:

  • Non-destructive technique
  • Relatively simple and fast investigation

When useful:

  • Checking the effectiveness of thermal treatments on metal alloys
  • Checking the effectiveness of surface hardening treatments
  • Control of input materials

Main features:

  • non-destructive or semi-destructive technology
  • relatively simple and fast investigation

When useful:Verification of conformity to alloy specification.

  • Identification of unknown metals and alloys
  • Failure analysis
  • The elements from Li to U can be analyzed
  • You can also work on thin sheets and wires

Uses and main features:

  • Quality-quantitative analysis of metal alloys
  • It also detects C, N, P, S in metal alloys
  • Elements from ppm to percentage concentrations can also be analysed
  • Fast analysis
  • Partially destructive technique

We use the SPECTROMAXx (of Spectro) instrument, configured for the analysis of steel, aluminium alloys, nickel alloys and titanium alloys