Control the quality and reliability of your brazed and welded joints
Whether it is a printed circuit board, a medical device, a heat exchanger or an aerospace structure, the quality of a brazed or welded joint is a key factor in the performance and service life of equipment. Porosity, cracking, poor wetting or metallurgical changes can compromise the mechanical strength, electrical performance or leak tightness of an assembly.
At the FILAB laboratory, we support manufacturers in the characterization of brazed and welded joints in order to qualify a process, check production compliance, compare filler materials or determine the origin of a failure. Thanks to a multi-technique approach, our experts provide a complete understanding of the metallurgical behavior of assemblies.
The FILAB laboratory supports manufacturers in the characterization of brazed and welded joints
A multi-technique approach to characterize your brazed and welded joints
Characterizing an assembly relies on combining several analytical techniques, each providing complementary information.
Metallographic examinations
Metallographic examinations make it possible to observe the quality of the joint, the thickness of the different zones, the microstructure and any defects. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) provides a detailed view of the interfaces between materials and makes it possible to perform elemental mapping to study diffusion phenomena or the formation of intermetallic compounds.
Chemical analysis
Chemical analysis, carried out in particular by ICP-OES, ICP-MS or X-ray fluorescence, make it possible to verify the composition of brazing alloys and to look for any contamination. Depending on the issues encountered, these analysis can be supplemented by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify metallurgical phases or by surface analysis such as XPS or ToF-SIMS to study pollution or oxidation phenomena.
By cross-referencing these different approaches, the experts at the FILAB laboratory establish a reliable diagnosis and provide an interpretation tailored to your industrial issue.
From raw material to in-service part: support at every stage
Analysis needs do not arise only when a failure is identified. They can support the entire development and production cycle.
- During the development phase, characterization makes it possible to compare different brazing alloys, qualify a new brazing or welding process and verify that the manufacturing parameters make it possible to obtain an assembly that meets the requirements of the application.
- During industrialization, analysis contribute to production quality control by verifying the chemical composition of filler materials, the metallurgical quality of joints and the absence of defects likely to affect part reliability.
- Finally, when an assembly shows premature failure, loss of performance or a sealing defect, our experts carry out a complete investigation to identify the mechanisms responsible for the failure and propose avenues for improvement.
Understanding defects to improve assembly reliability
The phenomena that can affect a brazed or welded joint are numerous and sometimes difficult to identify without in-depth characterization.
Our analysis make it possible in particular to highlight porosity, cracks, lack of fusion, poor wetting, excessive growth of intermetallic compounds, surface contamination, as well as corrosion and thermal fatigue phenomena.
Beyond simply observing a defect, our goal is to understand its origin. This approach makes it possible to distinguish between a problem related to the filler material, manufacturing parameters, surface contamination or the part’s operating conditions.
Applications across many industrial sectors
The characterization of brazed and welded joints meets the requirements of sectors where assembly reliability is critical.
In the electronics and microelectronics industry, it makes it possible to control the quality of brazed joints on printed circuit boards, power modules or high-value components.
In the aerospace, space and defense sectors, it contributes to the qualification of high-temperature brazing processes and to the analysis of components subjected to severe thermal and mechanical stresses.
Manufacturers in the medical, energy, nuclear and automotive sectors also call on the FILAB laboratory to secure their assembly processes, qualify their materials or investigate the origin of failures.
Why choose the FILAB laboratory for the characterization of brazed and welded joints?
The FILAB laboratory supports manufacturers in the characterization of materials and metal assemblies, drawing on more than 45 years of analytical expertise. Our teams bring together skills in chemistry, metallurgy, surface analysis and microscopy to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms at play.
Beyond analytical results, we provide real interpretive expertise to help manufacturers qualify their processes, improve the reliability of their assemblies and solve complex production or failure issues.
Our FAQ
Characterization makes it possible to verify the metallurgical quality of an assembly, detect any defects, qualify a manufacturing process, and ensure the reliability of components.
The analysis can reveal porosity, cracks, lack of fusion, poor wetting, excessive intermetallic compounds, contamination, or adhesion defects.
Depending on the requirements, the laboratory uses optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ICP-OES, ICP-MS, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), metallographic analysis, and microhardness testing.
The laboratory analyzes soft and hard brazing as well as welds made on steels, stainless steels, aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, and their alloys.
The services are aimed in particular at the electronics, microelectronics, aerospace, space, automotive, medical devices, energy, nuclear, and defense sectors.
Yes. FILAB laboratory experts carry out investigations to determine the origin of a failure, whether it is related to the material, the brazing or welding process, the operating conditions, or a corrosion or fatigue phenomenon.
To obtain a quote, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email.
All you need to do is send us your requirements (material type, desired analysis, applicable standard if any, urgency, number of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.
Lead times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.
FILAB is nevertheless committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your constraints and industrial urgencies.
