Mechanical Test Laboratory

The on site UKAS laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 conducts mechanical and metrical inspection with a focus on the 24 hour turnaround of results from material receipt.

Metal Proving Services is an independent laboratory accredited to ISO 17025. The laboratory not only services the foundry as its primary customer, but has established a solid reputation founded on its integrity of reporting to third party clients, through its technical capabilities and dynamic lead times. Given the criticality of testing undertaken, third party verification / customer witness inspections are often supported by laboratory management. A bespoke software package has been developed to maintain material traceability, facility calibration and digital reporting. The laboratory participates in regular, cross laboratory testing, to validate the accuracy of data provided.

The core competencies include; room temperature mechanical analysis, cryogenic ductility testing down to -196°C and high temperature stress rupture and creep analysis. Metallographic inspection and corrosion susceptibility testing are also offered within the laboratory by time served metallurgists. Heavy material sections can be precisely sectioned to obtain ½T and ¼T thickness mechanical properties, as mandated by customer specifications. A significant time and cost saving is achieved by employing the latest 5-axis machining technology to accurately and efficiently obtain test specimens. Typically, test certificates are provided within 24 hours of material receipt, which facilitates dynamic decision making within any metals business.

The laboratory often supports the development of enhanced material grades. Mechanical and metallurgical data is provided in the form of material data sets that design engineers can utilise in their component designs. An example of this is the generation of nickel alloy material data sets for international turbine manufacturers, who design advanced ultra-super critical turbines, subject to high temperatures, pressures and steam oxidation.

The laboratory also employs specialist drop weight capabilities, which support the manufacture of higher strength alloys that are subject to enhanced testing regimes, such as Dynamic Tear (DT) testing or Crack Tip Open Displacement (CTOD). This data enables engineers to better evaluate a material susceptibility to fast fracture and fatigue in service. In particular, this facility supports the development of next generation naval hull steels.