Failure Analysis

Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) is an advanced analysis service used to determine the chemical composition of materials. This technique utilizes the principle that when a sample is struck by a high-energy electron beam, the atoms in the sample emit characteristic X-rays that can be detected and analyzed to determine the material's chemical composition.

The EDS spectroscopy analysis service offers a series of advantages over other chemical analysis techniques. Firstly, it is highly sensitive and can detect trace elements in very small quantities. Secondly, for small samples, it is a non-destructive technique that can be used on a wide range of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and corrosion deposits/products.

The EDS spectroscopy analysis service is widely used in many sectors, including the manufacturing industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the chemical industry, and academic research. It is particularly useful for the analysis of materials of technological interest, such as different types of steel or nickel alloys, but it can also be used for some analyses on semiconductors and composite materials.

In conclusion, the EDS spectroscopy analysis service is an advanced and versatile technique for determining the chemical composition of materials and for studying the morphology of fracture surfaces.

Thanks to its high sensitivity and its ability to analyze a wide range of materials, EDS spectroscopy is an excellent choice for the analysis of materials of technological interest, and for the study of deposits and corrosion products.

X-ray Diffraction (XRD) is a non-invasive technique used to determine the atomic and molecular structure of materials.

An X-ray diffractometer is a device utilized for the determination of a spectrum, which allows for the identification of the crystalline phases present in the samples under analysis.

XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), when used on powder samples, enables the identification of crystalline inorganic substances such as constituent materials, in addition to inorganic corrosion products (e.g., ferrous oxides and corrosive deposits). The analysis provides detailed information on the crystallographic structure of the materials under investigation and, when combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM + EDS), is suitable for the rapid quantitative identification of the phases present in the sample.

The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis service is an important technology used across a wide range of scientific and industrial sectors. The SEM allows for the acquisition of high-resolution images of the surface morphology of samples, utilizing an electron beam.

The SEM analysis service offers a wide range of advantages over other microscopy techniques, including the ability to characterize the fracture surface (using secondary electrons) or the ability to detect impurities in the material (using primary electrons).

Furthermore, the SEM allows for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of chemical elements through the technique of Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis.

The SEM analysis service is widely used in sectors such as scientific research, the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, materials engineering, nanotechnology, electronics, and many other applications.

Our SEM analysis service offers our clients a wide range of customized solutions based on their specific analysis needs. Our team of highly qualified experts provides support for image processing and data interpretation to deliver the most accurate and reliable results possible to our clients.

In conclusion, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis service is a highly important microscopy method for a vast array of scientific and industrial sectors. It offers the possibility to visualize samples at different scales, analyze chemical elements, and obtain high-resolution images.

Our customized SEM analysis service provides our clients with a reliable and precise solution for their needs.

Metallography is the science that studies the crystalline structure of metals and metallic alloys, the modifications induced by processing and manufacturing procedures and by thermal and mechanical treatments, relating the aforementioned structure to the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the metals themselves.

The field of Metallography can be investigated by adopting various methods of chemical-physical analysis.

However, the method based on microstructural metallographic examination is the fundamental one, as it relies on the direct observation of the structures.

This technique is essential for the microstructural characterization of materials and welded joints.

Welding of metallic materials is a process of permanent joining of two or more components, with or without filler material, in order to achieve metallurgical and physico-chemical continuity of the welded parts in the connection sections. During the process, in most cases, melting of the filler material occurs, which influences the crystalline microstructure of the adjacent edges, creating the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ), which adapts to both the structure of the base material (BM) and the Fusion Zone (FZ).

If the process is not performed correctly, defects and internal residual stresses can be created, which may lead to premature failure of the component in service.

To examine welds, our experts use Metallography. Before optical microscopy, the metal sample is observed and cut into thin sections, which are then embedded in polymer resins and polished to obtain specimens with a smooth surface.

Subsequently, the specimen is examined under an optical microscope to identify the weld zone and the surrounding areas. Using metallographic examination, experts can determine the quality of the weld by evaluating the microstructure of the different zones, the presence of non-metallic inclusions or other impurities, as well as locating any defects or damage to determine the damage mechanism.

In conclusion, Optical Metallography is an essential tool for microstructurally evaluating the quality of a material and a welded joint.

If you need more information about our Metallography service, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts will be happy to help you.

Hardness testing is a method used to determine a material's resistance to penetration or indentation by a standardized indenter.

The principle of hardness testing involves creating an indentation on the material's surface using an indenter to which a force is applied.

This determines the resistance offered by one material to being penetrated by another.

By making a micro-indentation on the sample surface over a relatively brief period, hardness testing is often preferred for gaining reasonably reliable indications regarding the tensile strength of materials.

There are various scales used to measure material hardness:

* **Brinell**
* **Vickers**
* **Rockwell**
* **Barcol** or **Shore-D** (for polymeric materials)

Donegani Anticorrosione possesses a wide range of durometers capable of covering the various hardness scales, thanks to the latest generation of portable and manual instruments.

The laboratory is also equipped with an automatic durometer for performing Vickers micro-hardness tests.