Services for industry Surface analysis and expertise
More than 120 people
More than 120 people at your service
5200 m² laboratory
5200 m² laboratory + 99% of services are provided in-house
Accredited laboratory
Accredited laboratory COFRAC ISO 17025

Surface analysis and characterization laboratory

Your needs: surface characterization of your materials

Knowing the properties and surface conditions of a material can help you adapt your manufacturing processes. The support of a specialized laboratory will enable you to carry out analyses and expert appraisals on the surface of materials to optimize your performance.

The surface of a material is a vulnerable zone where numerous interactions with its environment take place. Its specific characteristics determine the overall performance of materials. In the event of failure (corrosion, wear, adhesion, friction, etc.), it can have an impact on a product's reliability and durability.

Nuclear
Nuclear
Aeronautic
Aeronautic
Spatial
Spatial
Medical
Medical
Electronic
Electronic
Defense/Security
Defense/Security
Automotive
Automotive

Our customized surface analysis
services and techniques

Analysis

Our analysis services

• Analysis of surface chemical composition
Analysis of surface chemical composition

Surface chemistry is concerned with the surface properties of materials. It enables us to modify the chemical properties of surface materials, if necessary, to give them new properties adapted to their utility.

• Morphological and topographical study
Morphological and topographical study

Morphology, the three-dimensional study of surfaces, and topography, analyzed at macro, micro and nanometric levels, are crucial for optimizing industrial manufacturing processes. These analyses help prevent failures by providing an in-depth understanding of material properties.

• Thickness measurement of surface layers
Thickness measurement of surface layers

Multilayer analysis of material surfaces involves examining several surface layers of a material. This technique is widely used to identify the surface composition of materials.

• Control of surface cleanliness
Control of surface cleanliness

The surface of a material interacts with its external environment and may encounter chemical contamination or particle pollution as a result of the various stages in the manufacturing process, for example.

Expertise

Our expert services

• Nanoscale surface analysis (extreme surface analysis)
Nanoscale surface analysis (extreme surface analysis)

FILAB is able to analyze the surface of a material on a nanometric scale (extreme surface analysis) using cutting-edge techniques such as TOF-SIMS, XPS/ESCA and AFM.

• Identification of surface pollution
Identification of surface pollution
As well as checking the surface cleanliness of the material, the laboratory identifies the pollution in question.
• Interface analysis
Interface analysis
Material interface analysis is a technique for studying the transition zone between two distinct substances in a composite material. It enables us to understand the chemical and physical interactions at interfaces, which are crucial to material performance and stability.
• Failure study - characterization of a surface defect
Failure study - characterization of a surface defect
  • Corrosion, cracks, fractures, adhesion problems

By analyzing the imperfections in your metal alloys, we can determine their origins and impact. We carry out detailed failure analyses to provide an in-depth understanding of their nature and scope.

• Controlling the homogeneity of surface treatments
Controlling the homogeneity of surface treatments

Controlling the homogeneity of surface treatments is essential to ensure uniform material quality and performance, enabling any variations or defects in the treatment process to be detected and corrected. This verification guarantees the reliability and durability of materials in their specific applications.

Research and development

Our R&D services

• Development and validation of treatment processes
(functionalization or passivation)
Development and validation of treatment processes
(functionalization or passivation)

The development and validation of surface treatment processes are fundamental to innovating and improving the performance of materials, by ensuring that each method is effective, reproducible and compliant with the required quality standards. This approach guarantees the reliability and effectiveness of the treatments applied, adapted to the specific features of each material.

• Ageing study
Ageing study

Ageing studies enable us to predict durability and resistance over time. In particular, it enables us to anticipate changes in its properties under the effect of environmental and usage factors.

• Support in choosing surface treatments
Support in choosing surface treatments

Surface treatments give materials a particular appearance and characteristics, depending not only on the type of surface treatment used, but also on the substrate on which the coating will be applied.

• On-demand surface analysis training
On-demand surface analysis training

FILAB offers a range of training courses, but it is also possible to carry out training on demand.

Our technical resources

For over 30 years, the FILAB laboratory has had the experience and specific analytical equipment to meet the needs of surface analysis and characterization on all types of materials (metals, polymers, ceramics). FILAB offers the following surface analysis techniques:

SEM-EDX

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SEM-EBSD

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AFM

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ToF-SIMS

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XPS

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Our FAQ

What is surface analysis?

Surface analysis refers to a set of techniques used to study the physical, chemical and morphological properties of the surface of a solid material. This technique is widely used in materials science, physics, chemistry...

What techniques are used for surface condition analysis?

Techniques commonly used in surface analysis include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction. These techniques provide information on the topography, chemical composition, molecular orientation and mechanical properties of a material's surface.

When should a surface condition analysis be carried out?

Surface analysis is particularly useful for understanding the properties and interactions of materials in applications such as catalysis, corrosion, friction, adhesion, electronics and many other areas of research and engineering.

Alexandre VIGLIONE Technical Sales Representative
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The filab advantages
A highly qualified team
A highly qualified team
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
(Staves available on www.cofrac.com - Accreditation number: 1-1793)
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
Tailor-made support
Tailor-made support
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To find out more about these services, don't hesitate
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