State-of-the-art Microscopy Laboratory:

• Scanning Electron Microscopes: ESEM-FEG (EDXA of metallic and non-metallic materials)

• 3-D Optical measurement and inspection

• 3-D Images and profiles:

  • Examination of surface breaking defects, surface finish, roughness measurement, general topography, etc. on a diverse range of samples including surface replication samples.
  • The optical 3D measurement device allows robust and highly accurate 3D measurements of micro- and nano structures up to 20nm z-resolution.
  • Highly accurate measurement of even slopes and vertical edges
  • Excellent performance on very rough surfaces
  • Robust handling of greatly varying surface reflection properties
  • Verification by optical colour image

• Optical Microscopes (connected to image database)

  • Cross-sectional and image analysis

  • Binocular Microscopes for low magnification inspection

• Sample Preparation:

  • Abrasive Wheel sectioning.

• Semi-automated sample preparation to diamond or colloidal silica surface finish

• On-site (in-situ) metallurgy

• Hardness Testing :

• Vickers Macro-hardness and Micro-hardness testing (UKAS accredited)

• Rockwell (HRB & HR15Y scales)

• Chemical Analysis:

• Carbon and sulphur analyser

• Oxygen and nitrogen analyser