Analysis and characterization of composite materials
Your needs : to verify the quality and the performance of your composite materials as part of the designing process or to improve your products
As major players in the transportation, medical devices or sports equipment sectors, you are looking to optimize your manufacturing processes through the use of lighter and stronger composite materials.
The diversity of composite material matrices makes them complex to analyze and requires periodic inspections to verify that they comply with relevant standards.
For assistance in overcoming your manufacturing challenges or problems relating to product failures, you are looking for the support of a reliable and responsive laboratory specializing in the analysis and characterization of composite materials.
Our solution : to assist you in analyzing your composite materials and to characterize your problems relating to defects
Our composite analysis services
With a team of experts in materials and an analytical fleet spread over 5 200m², FILAB laboratory provides analysis and characterization services for composite materials to assist you in overcoming your industrial challenges.
From the designing process to the improvement of your composite material-based products, FILAB laboratory provides the following services:
Failure analysis of composite materials : aging, ruptures, non-compliances, apparition of deposits or of particulates…
Chemical analysis of the composition of a composite material
Composite material characterization : length, diameter, morphology…
Why choose a specialized composites lab?
Analyzing composite materials requires expertise that goes beyond standard material testing. A specialized composites lab understands the complex interactions between fibers, matrices, and interfacial regions that govern final performance.
FILAB combines over 30 years of materials science expertise with a 5,200 m² analytical facility equipped with SEM-EDX, GC-MS, Py-GC/MS, TGA, and FTIR.
Our team of more than 140 experts ensures that over 99% of analyses are performed in-house, reducing turnaround times and preserving data integrity. Whether you need to validate a new supplier, troubleshoot a production defect, or generate data for regulatory submission, partnering with an experienced composites laboratory gives you confidence in every decision.
Composite failure analysis and troubleshooting
Composite failures can result from fiber-matrix debonding, void formation, moisture ingress, thermal degradation, or improper curing. Identifying the root cause quickly is essential to minimize production downtime and prevent recurrence.
FILAB’s composites laboratory uses a systematic approach combining visual inspection, SEM imaging, chemical analysis, and thermal profiling to pinpoint failure mechanisms.
Our experts deliver actionable reports with corrective recommendations, helping you adjust processing parameters, reformulate resins, or redesign geometries. From delamination in aerospace panels to fatigue cracking in sporting goods, our composite analysis expertise turns failures into opportunities for improvement.
What are composite materials?
Composite materials are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties.
When combined, these components produce a material with characteristics distinct from the individual elements. Common composites include carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP), ceramic matrix composites (CMC), and metal matrix composites (MMC). A composites laboratory specializes in analyzing these complex structures to verify their composition, mechanical performance, thermal stability, and long-term durability.
At FILAB, our composites lab supports manufacturers across aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, and medical device sectors with tailored composite analysis and characterization programs.
Key industries using composite materials
Composite materials have become essential across numerous industrial sectors due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and design flexibility.
In the aerospace industry, carbon fiber composites reduce aircraft weight while maintaining structural integrity under extreme conditions. The automotive sector relies on glass fiber and carbon fiber composites to improve fuel efficiency and crash performance. Medical device manufacturers use biocompatible composites for implants, prosthetics, and surgical instruments.
Sports equipment brands leverage advanced composites to enhance performance in cycling, golf, and water sports.
Finally, the energy sector, particularly wind turbine manufacturing, depends on large-scale composite blades for optimal aerodynamic efficiency. A dedicated composites laboratory ensures that materials used in these critical applications meet stringent quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Our FAQ
To obtain a quote, you can contact our team via our contact form, by phone, or by email.
Simply tell us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, applicable standards, urgency, quantity of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.
Turnaround times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.
However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your industrial constraints and urgent needs.
Composite characterization is the process of determining the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of composite materials. It includes fiber identification, matrix analysis, void content measurement, thermal profiling, and mechanical testing. A composites laboratory uses techniques such as SEM-EDX, FTIR, TGA, and DSC to build a complete property profile.
Composite analysis generally focuses on identifying the chemical composition, additives, and contaminants within a composite material. Composite characterization goes further by evaluating mechanical properties, thermal behavior, microstructure, and surface morphology. A full-service composites lab like FILAB integrates both approaches to deliver comprehensive material insights.
Yes. Aerospace composite certification requires rigorous testing for flammability, fatigue resistance, impact tolerance, and environmental durability. FILAB's composites laboratory supports manufacturers with standardized and custom test programs, generating the analytical data needed for regulatory compliance and airworthiness documentation.
