Aerospace
At Modern Group we take pride in serving the aerospace market. The aerospace market demands some of the most stringent quality and tolerance requirements.
What Is Metallurgical Testing & Engineering?
Metallurgical testing evaluates the relationship between a metal's composition and its performance to predict where and why it might fail. This allows manufacturers to select the right materials for their application and identify ways to strengthen them for better performance.
At Modern Group, this expertise is built into everything we produce. With over 100 years of experience in forging, our team of metallurgical engineers bring deep knowledge of various alloys — from basic steels to superalloys — to every material we evaluate, backed by ISO 9001, AS9100, and NADCAP certifications.
Metallurgical Testing Process
We design our metallurgical materials testing programs to include metallurgical and failure analyses of various metals and alloys.
Our metallography experts perform all metallurgical testing processes, so you will only have qualified personnel working on your samples. Our team investigates materials using stereo microscopy to perform above- and below-surface evaluations.
We test materials for several industries, but our expertise doesn't stop at testing. Our metallurgical experts also provide material consultations, drawing on decades of forging, heat treating, and failure-analysis experience to help you select the right alloy, process, or material specification before production ever begins.
Metallurgical Testing Capabilities
We evaluate everything from grain size to coating efficiency. Our facility and team capabilities include:
- Digital Imaging
- Failure Root Cause Analysis
- Macroscopic Examination
- Hardness Testing (Macro Hardness Impressions)
- Sample Preparation
- Mounts
- Cut and Etch
- State-of-the-Art Materials Testing Laboratory
Standard Metallurgical & Metallographic Testing
Our team can test for industrial standards and design custom tests for unique customer demands. We can perform some of our tests on-site, but many require our state-of-the-art labs' clean environments and specialized equipment.
Standard metallurgical analyses we can perform include:
- Grain Size Analysis
- Inclusion Rating
- Ferrite/Pearlite Percentage
- Porosity
- Phase Area Fraction
Failure Analysis
Among the various tests and studies we perform, failure analyses are the most sought-after tests for manufacturers. Failure tests help determine the point and cause of failure in metals and alloys.
Our metallurgical engineering services can pinpoint the exact cause or combination of reasons contributing to material failure, helping manufacturers determine a means of strengthening or the viability of a material for specific applications.
Even the smallest imperfection can have enormous consequences. That is why we offer full forging metallurgical testing and engineering services. Our metallurgical experts have the ability to determine what caused a failure, which might be a result of:
- Improper Design
- Extraordinary Forces
- Environmental Factors
- Material Flaws
- Brittle Fracture
- Stress Corrosion Cracking
- Ductile Fracture
- Fatigue
- Hydrogen Embrittlement
- Metal Creep
Industries
Our metallurgical engineers work closely with our products that go out into industries such as:
FAQs
What is metallurgical testing?
Metallurgical testing is the process of evaluating a metal's composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties to confirm it meets the strength, durability, and performance requirements of its intended application. This includes tests like hardness testing, tensile testing, grain flow analysis, and metallographic examination.
Why is metallurgical testing important for forged parts?
Forging changes the internal grain structure of metal, which directly affects its strength and durability. Metallurgical testing verifies that this grain flow, along with the part's composition and hardness, meets the specifications required for its application — helping catch defects before a part goes into service.
Can metallurgical testing be performed on-site?
We can perform some of our tests on-site, but many require the specialized equipment and controlled conditions of our in-house metallurgy lab. During your quote request, we can help determine which tests are appropriate for on-site evaluation versus lab analysis.
What is failure analysis, and when do I need it?
Failure analysis is the investigation of a metal part that has cracked, deformed, or otherwise failed in service, to determine the root cause. It's typically requested when a part fails unexpectedly in the field, during quality investigations, or as part of a broader effort to prevent repeat failures in future production runs.
How long does metallurgical testing take?
Turnaround time depends on the type and number of tests requested, as well as part complexity. Simple hardness or composition checks can often be completed quickly, while a full failure analysis investigation may take longer. Contact us for a timeline based on your specific needs.
Contract Fabrication
Modern Group partners with our customers to provide custom tube fabrication services.
