The ATS Phoenix location, formerly Gray’s Engineering & Consulting, is in the process of an expansion to include mechanical testing, metallurgical testing, chemical analysis, and failure analysis.
The majority of testing capabilities will be available in Q1 of 2022 and continue to expand as demand increases.
Mechanical testing:
- Rockwell hardness, micro-indentation (Vickers/Knoop), and superficial (Leeb and Rockwell)
- Tensile testing – 20,000 lbf (HK100KU)
Metallurgical testing:
- First article testing and reverse engineering
- Microstructural assessment
- Grain size, graphite rating, phase identification, case depth measurements, etc.
- Plating thickness
- EDS material identification
- Corrosion deposits, metal chips, plating composition, etc.
Chemical analysis (metals):
- Combustion analysis
- Elemental analysis
- LECO testing
- Metals chemistry
Failure analysis:
- Metals and Polymers failure Capabilities
- Optical and SEM fractography, cross-sections, material specific testing, etc.
- Mechanical failure
- Embrittlement, fatigue, manufacturing defects, overload, wear, etc.
- Metallurgical failure
- Corrosion, fracture analysis, microstructure inconsistencies, etc.
- Component failure
- Blades, boiler tubes, bolts/ fasteners, hoses, pipes, shafts, springs, wire rope, etc.
- Polymer specific failure
- Chemical attack, ESC, fatigue, manufacturing defects, overload, weathering, weld lines, etc.
The layout of the laboratory requires a highly efficient plan due to the small area allocated. As a result, several of the newly purchased instruments are compact, benchtop models that boast advanced capabilities. Some of the benchtop instruments include:
- Nanoscience Phenom XL (SEM)
- Keyence VHX-7000 (digital microscope)
- Thermo Scientific easySpark (OES)
- LECO CS744 (combustion carbon/ sulfur analyzer)
- Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 Plus handheld XRF analyzer
These state of the art instruments, in addition to sample preparation and other testing equipment, offer customers in the Western US a one-stop materials testing laboratory similar to the ATS Marietta, GA headquarters. A more detailed list of ATS Phoenix testing capabilities can be seen on the company website. Although the Phoenix materials laboratory will have the capability to run independently, a continuing close relationship to the Marietta materials testing departments will ensure the success of both laboratories.