Laboratory analysis of welds
Are you looking for testing your quality of welds as part of an expert analysis?
In the case of a defective weld or any other form of degradation, you are looking to analyze the quality of your metallurgical welds in order to understand the origin of the problem and optimize your design. Different types of weld failures can occur :
- Weld defects (porosity, inclusions, lack of fusion)
- Mechanical ruptures
- Corrosion problem (pitting, intergranular corrosion)
With methods suited to each of your samples, inspections and characterizations will be carried out to determine the causes of a defect and to implement corrective measures.
Comprehensive weld analysis for industrial reliability
A professional weld analysis is essential to ensure the structural integrity of your components. Whether you are dealing with stainless steel, aluminum alloys, or carbon steel, our laboratory investigates the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the welded joint. By identifying the root cause of issues such as cracks or brittle fractures, we provide the welding expertise needed to enhance your manufacturing processes and guarantee product safety.
FILAB is able to help the metallurgical industry to analyze the performance of its welds
Why choose FILAB for your weld analysis?
FILAB laboratory, being made up of a team of experts in metallurgical and weld analysis, is able to provide you with analytical services covering everything from the designing process to production and the final implementation of a metallic component. Relying on extensive experience and a cutting-edge analytical fleet, FILAB laboratory is equipped with a wide range of tools specific to metallurgical fields to be able to provide the following services:
- Weld composition analysis
- Morphological examination of a weld
- Metallographic examination of a weld (microstructure characterization)
- FESEM surface analysis (detecting surface defects or pollution)
- Expert analysis of fractures and ruptures (Fractographic analysis)
Advanced techniques in our welding laboratory
To provide accurate diagnostics, FILAB utilizes high-performance instrumentation including:
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX): To observe fracture surfaces and analyze elemental composition.
- Microhardness Testing: To evaluate the resistance and ductility across the welded joint.
- Chemical Analysis: Using ICP or spark-OES to verify alloy grades and detect contaminants.
- Optical Microscopy: For macroscopic and microscopic inspection of weld penetration and defects.
Our FAQ
A welding laboratory provides specialized testing and characterization services to evaluate the quality, safety, and compliance of joined metallic components. This involves chemical, mechanical, and metallographic investigations to ensure that welds meet industrial standards and can withstand their intended operating conditions.
To provide a complete diagnostic, a laboratory typically performs:
- Metallographic Examination: Observing the microstructure of the weld, including the fusion zone and the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ).
- Mechanical Testing: Assessing properties such as tensile strength, ductility, and hardness (Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell).
- Chemical Analysis: Verifying the composition of the alloy and detecting trace contaminants or alloying elements.
- Surface & Fractographic Analysis: Investigating defects, corrosion, or the root cause of a rupture.
Expertise is required throughout the product lifecycle:
- During Development: To validate a new welding process or material selection.
- In Production: For routine quality control and ensuring compliance with technical specifications.
- After Failure: When a component cracks, corrodes, or breaks unexpectedly during service, requiring a root cause investigation.
Root Cause Analysis is a structured problem-solving method used to identify the true origin of a defect rather than just treating its symptoms. In welding, this might involve determining if a failure was caused by a material defect, improper welding parameters, environmental stress (corrosion), or a design flaw.
Laboratory investigations can detect both visible and microscopic defects, such as:
- Porosity and Inclusions: Trapped gas or foreign particles within the weld.
- Cracks: Including hot cracking, cold cracking, or stress corrosion cracking.
- Lack of Fusion or Penetration: Where the weld metal does not properly bond with the base material.
- Surface Contamination: Presence of oxides or chemical residues that affect performance.
FILAB combines over 40 years of experience with state-of-the-art analytical equipment, such as SEM-EDX, ICP-MS, and high-resolution optical microscopy. As a COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, we guarantee traceable measurements, validated methods, and professional expertise tailored to sectors like aerospace, medical devices, and energy.
When a component fails at the weld interface, identifying the specific degradation mechanism is critical to prevent recurrence. Our welding laboratory performs in-depth investigations into metallurgical health, examining the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) and the fusion zone. This technical support is vital for manufacturers in aerospace, energy, and medical device sectors to ensure compliance with strict international standards.
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.
