Non-accredited research

Tests performed at LBM outside the scope of accreditation:

  • Examination of the chemical composition of low- and high-alloy steels and aluminium alloys with emission spectrometry with spark excitation
  • Metallographic examination of metals and their alloys, non-irradiated and irradiated, by optical microscopy
    • – determination of grain size
  • Bandwidth test
  • Tests of macrohardness of metals and their alloys and welded joints non-irradiated and irradiated with the Brinell method
  • Tests of microhardness of metals and their alloys as well as welded joints with the Vickers method
  • Impact test of metals and their non-irradiated alloys at temperatures from -40°C to + 200°C (test on KLST samples)
  • Making metallographic specimens and samples of metals and their alloys with the WEDM method
  • Testing surface and subsurface discontinuities and testing the thickness of coatings with the eddy current method

Additionally, LBM offers the possibility of performing nanomechanical tests using the nanoindentation method. It is possible to test a wide range of materials with different physical and chemical properties (from super-hard coatings of the WB type, through steels and alloys, to soft polymers of the PTFE type).

The scope of tests:

  • hardness and Young’s modulus (on the micro- and nanoscale),
  • high temperature creep (up to 750°C),
  • determination of stress-strain curves,
  • material strength,

The testing capabilities with the nanoindentation method include high-temperature measurements (up to 750°C in a controlled Ar atmosphere). The tests are carried out in the force range from 10 µN to 500 mN (nanoindentation) and from 300 mN to 20 N (microindentation). Additionally, it is possible to carry out dedicated nanoindentation, perform comprehensive nanotribological tests and carry out measurements of nanomechanical properties in a controlled humidity environment.

In addition, LBM measures mechanical parameters of metals with the Small Punch Testing (SPT) method, in which cylinder samples have 3 mm diameter and 0.25 mm thickness. The proper selection of the test parameters and system geometry allows for the determination of indicators proportional to specific material characteristics (such as tensile strength). Therefore, it is an excellent method for monitoring mechanical properties of the material in use without the need to prepare large-size samples. SPT is also widely used as a selection and property control procedure for new materials in the design phase. The small size of the sample allows the determination of mechanical characteristics and new materials under development, available in limited laboratory volumes. The dimensions of the sample allow for the extension of the size of the test sample. Measurements are carried out in the force range up to 1 kN at room temperature. Tests are carried out until the sample is perforated or until a specific displacement is achieved.

In 2020, the Material Research Laboratory purchased a modern Raman spectrometer. This device is equipped with a precise measuring table that allows setting the sample in the XYZ position with an accuracy of 20 nm, a 532 nm laser with max. power of 30 mW, an optical microscope with 3 lenses (10x, 50x and 100x), a Linkam TS1000 attachment, a spectrometer with two diffraction grids operating in the range of 90-3800 cm-1, a CCD detector and advanced analytical software.

In addition, there is a test stand at the Material Testing Laboratory for mechanical alloying (MA). These processes allow the alloying of metallic materials that are impossible to obtain with other methods, e. g. non-equilibrium alloys or alloys reinforced with refractory particles. Mechanical synthesis is carried out at LBM in a protective gas atmosphere, using a high-energy planetary ball mill, adapted for very hard particles, such as tungsten carbide, yttrium oxide or aluminium oxide.