The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) offers ferrite weld testing services that measure the ferrite content present in welds.
What is Ferrite Weld Testing?
Ferrite testing is a nondestructive testing method that determines the percentage of ferrite present in stainless steel welds. Ferrite is an iron phase found in the microstructure of stainless steel and welding alloys. Ferrite content has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of welded joints, so it’s important that experts measure a material’s ferrite content to determine its suitability for specific applications. The ferrite number, or the quantity of ferrite in a weld, influences the welding of austenitic and duplex stainless steels differently.
Austenitic Stainless Steel
A small percentage of ferrite, between 5% and 15%, can absorb the impurities present in austenitic stainless steel, thereby reducing the risk of cracking. However, too much ferrite may decrease the weld’s resistance to corrosion.
Duplex Stainless Steel
Duplex stainless steels have an equal or near equal balance of ferrite and austenite, which enables those materials to have superb corrosion resistance and strength. However, the failure to maintain a proper balance of ferrite and austenite can reduce the material’s strength or compromise its corrosion resistance.
About Our Ferrite Weld Testing Lab
Our ferrite weld testing services help clients ensure the integrity and long‑term performance of their welds. During the testing procedure, our highly trained technicians use a probe to measure the sample’s magnetic permeability, which indicates the sample’s ferrite percentage. The information gathered from ferrite tests is critical to ensuring the proper ferrite content in welds.
The Importance of Ferrite Weld Tests
Testing a weld’s ferrite content is crucial for ensuring its long-term performance, structural reliability, and compliance with regulations and standards. Ferrite levels directly influence a weld’s mechanical properties, so a balanced ferrite content is needed to produce welds that have the properties and characteristics needed to function in specific conditions and applications.
Contact Us
Our metallurgy experts utilize their extensive experience to ensure the reliability and compliance of your welded components. Contact our team today by calling +1 (888)-287-5227 or completing an online request form.
