--- type: "WebPage" title: "Laboratory analysis in the energy and nuclear sector" description: "Your needs: to develop reliable, high-performance products and processes that meet environmental challenges What are the challenges in product development? Faced with major challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection, you are looking to optimize your products, materials, or processes..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy/" tags: ["EN", "pll_63cf9fb040403", "Industry", "Clément BOENARD"] timestamp: "2026-07-08T12:00:46Z" published: "2021-08-26T06:56:04Z" language: "en" author: "bwa" --- # Laboratory analysis in the energy and nuclear sector ## Your needs: to develop reliable, high-performance products and processes that meet environmental challenges ### What are the challenges in product development? Faced with major challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection, you are looking to optimize your products, materials, or processes according to quality, durability, and safety best practices. As players involved in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of nuclear power plants or other energy production systems, you strive to follow these best practices through regular testing of your raw materials and materials ([PMUC notably](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/pmuc-analysis.md)) and by correcting [failures](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md) in your products. To support you in your efforts, the assistance of an analysis and characterization laboratory, certified by notified bodies, enables you to assess the compliance of your products with confidence and reliability. ### What about espns (nuclear pressure equipment)? ESPNs, such as vessels containing fuel or steam generators, are essential to the safe operation of pressurized water reactors. Operating under high pressure and temperature, these pieces of equipment may contain radioactive fluids, requiring strict monitoring and regulation. The ESPN decree highlights the importance of rigorous testing to ensure this safety. Under Article 8.2 of this regulation, certain material characterization tests and welding witness coupons must be entrusted to ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, such as ours. This accreditation, validated by COFRAC (or an international equivalent), guarantees the reliability and accuracy of the results obtained. ## Our solutions: supporting manufacturers with analyses for the energy and nuclear sector FILAB laboratory’s expertise in the energy and nuclear field contributes to the development of your industrial projects in terms of inspection, optimization, and advice related to your business. [**For many years, FILAB laboratory has also been approved by EDF to perform the analyses required for PMUC approval and PMUC testing.**](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/pmuc-analysis.md) From the design stage to the implementation of your facilities, FILAB laboratory supports you in assessing their compliance with international requirements through the following services: ## energy and nuclear sector analyses [Chemical analyses](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md) ([heavy metals](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-heavy-metal.md), additives, [residual solvents](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/voc-analysis-laboratory.md)...) [Material characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing.md) : [metal alloys](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md), [polymers](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory.md), [composites](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-composite-material.md), [ceramics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-of-analysis-and-expertise-of-technical-ceramics.md)... [Thermal analysis of materials](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-caracterisation-des-materiaux/laboratoire-analyses-thermiques-thermogravimetriques/) [REACH analyses](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-reach-analysis/reach-analysis-filab-supports-you.md) [Corrosion analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md) [Surface analyses](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md) [Powder analyses](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization.md) [PMUC analyses (EDF approval)​](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/pmuc-analysis/pmuc-testing-laboratory.md) [Analyses according to the ESPN regulation](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy/espn-order-characterisation-of-materials-for-nuclear-safety-in-iso-17025-laboratories.md) [Analyses according to ISO 19443 standard](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy/iso-19443-certified-analysis-laboratory.md) ## EXPERTISE [Failure analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md) : study of fracture [surfaces](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/fracture-facies-analysis-laboratory.md), [fracture analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/laboratory-analysis-ruptures.md), [adhesion](https://filab.fr/paroles-d-expert/metallurgie-fonderie-automobile/filab-vous-accompagne-dans-les-problematiques-d-adhesion.md) issues, [corrosion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md) phenomena, [metallographic examination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/examination-metallographic-section-laboratory.md), [weld](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/laboratory-analysis-welds.md) analysis... [Stability study](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/health-pharmaceutical-cosmetics/stability-testing-medications-and-active-ingredients.md) [Materials Deformulation](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-deformulation-analysis-reverse-engineering.md) Compatibility study between fluids and materials Identification of unknown contamination ([deposits, particles](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination.md)) [Laboratory audit](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/laboratory-audit.md) and [team training](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/laboratory-analytical-chemistry-training.md) ## R&D SUPPORT [Analytical development and](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/analytical-development.md)[analytical validation](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/analytical-development.md) [Literature review](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/laboratory-literature-review.md) [R&D support](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd.md) (project management, [selection of raw materials and materials](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/support-product-development/support-from-a-laboratory-in-the-choice-of-your-raw-materials.md)…) [Search for CMR product alternatives](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/support-product-development/cmr-substance-substitution.md) ## Our analytical platform dedicated to the energy and nuclear industries: ## OUR TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES Organic chemical analyses: [GCMS](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analyses-chromatographie-gazeuse/analyse-tdu-gc-ms/), [Py-GCMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md), LC-MSMS, [GPC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-gpc-sec.md), [NMR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-nmr.md), [FTIR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md) Mineral chemical analyses: [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [XRD](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md), [IC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-ion-chromatography.md) [Thermal evaluation of materials](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-caracterisation-des-materiaux/laboratoire-analyses-thermiques-thermogravimetriques/) : [TGA](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tga-tga-ftir-and-tga-ms-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md), [DSC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-dsc-calorimetric.md) Metallurgical analyses: [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md), [SEO](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-oes-alloys.md) Powder analyses: [XRD](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md), [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md), [BET](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md) Surface analyses: [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md), [XPS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-xps-esca.md), [TOF-SIMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-tof-sims.md) ## Our FAQ What types of materials are analyzed in the nuclear sector? Specialized laboratories analyze a wide variety of materials to ensure the safety of facilities: - **Metals and alloys:** stainless steels, zirconium or nickel alloys used in vessels and piping. - **Polymers and elastomers:** cable sheaths, seals, and coatings. - **Fluids:** primary and secondary circuit water, lubricants. - **Waste and effluents:** to characterize their activation level before treatment. What is PMUC certification? The **PMUC** certification (Products and Materials Usable in Power Plants) is specific to EDF in France. It guarantees that the products used (adhesives, lubricants, penetrant testing products) have very limited levels of halogens (chlorine, fluorine) and sulfur, in order to prevent the risk of **stress corrosion cracking** in stainless steel components. How can i get a quote from FILAB? To get 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, requested analysis, any applicable standard, urgency, number of samples, etc.). We will then send you a tailored technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours. What is the typical turnaround time for analyses? Lead 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 adapted to your constraints and industrial urgencies.