Hardness Testing Capabilities Expanded at Laboratory Testing Inc.

June 4, 2010 - PRLog -- HATFIELD, PA, June 4, 2010 – The Metallography Lab at Laboratory Testing Inc. (LTI) has expanded its capabilities with the purchase of a state-of-the-art hardness testing system, a Struers DuraScan. The PC operated system covers both microhardness and macrohardness test applications. The new equipment has significantly expanded the company’s test load range for Vickers and Knoop with capabilities from 10 gf – 10 kgf:
•   Vickers: 10 gram – 20 kilogram
•   Knoop: 10 gram – 2 kilogram

In addition to load range, the mounted sample size features of this hardness testing equipment have increased the company’s previous capabilities. The Struers DuraScan accommodates test samples up to 5.5” in diameter and 10" in height.

The Metallography Lab at Laboratory Testing Inc. generally performs microhardness testing on metal samples, but other materials may be tested on a case-by-case basis. The new equipment is ideal for case hardness depth (CHD) measurements and testing the quality of welds in the heat affected zone.

Microhardness testing is an indentation method for measuring the hardness of a material on a microscopic scale. A precision diamond indenter is impressed into the material at a range of loads. Precision microscopes are used to measure the indentations. The dimensions of the impression and the test load are used to calculate a hardness value. These values are used as indicators of material properties and expected service behavior.

ABOUT Laboratory Testing Inc. - Laboratory Testing Inc. of Hatfield, PA is an independent laboratory in business since 1984. The company specializes in materials testing, nondestructive testing, failure analysis, calibration services, dimensional inspection and specimen machining. The lab is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by PRI/Nadcap and A2LA, which complies with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. Mechanical, chemical, metallurgical and nondestructive testing services are performed on metals and alloys. Chemical analysis is also available for powdered metals, ores, ferroalloys, composites and ceramics. The company’s calibration division, LTI Metrology, performs dimensional, pressure, force, torque, mass and vacuum calibration services traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Field calibration, repairs, new instruments and replacement parts are available. Information on LTI services and accreditations is available at www.labtesting.com.

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Laboratory Testing Inc. has been in business since 1984 specializing in accredited materials testing, nondestructive testing, specimen machining, failure analysis and calibration services. Information is available at www.labtesting.com and 800-219-9095.