Metallurgy Laboratory
Our engineering experts have performed thousands of accident reconstructions and accident investigations over the last 20 years. When an accident is reconstructed, engineers often analyze different types of materials that contributed to or are an accessory to the accident. For such material testing, CED engineers and Ph.D. materials scientists utilize a state-of-the-art testing laboratory and testing equipment. This facility contains different types of equipment that are utilized by our experts depending on whether they are investigating the materials composition or if they are examining stress, strength, or identifying a materials defection.
Our laboratory includes:
Electron Microscope
Allows metallurgists to examine materials at a magnification of up to 100,000X which helps determine composition breakdown and surface cracks
Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
Works together with the electron microscope to establish chemical composition of materials
Optical Microscope
Utilized by engineers to create visual displays to show composition and magnification of an area in question
Industrial Microscope
Used to exam materials for stress cracks or forgery such as a weak material covered by a stronger material
Emission Spectroscope
Is capable of analyzing the chemical elements contained in alloys and other metals through the measurement of sparks generated by scraping the surface of the metal
Fourier Transform Infrared (FT- IR) Spectrometer
Records the interaction of infrared radiation with a piece of a material by measuring the frequency at which the radiation is absorbed and the intensities of the absorption
Tensile Testing Machines
Utilized to determine the quality and strength of materials such as plastics, rubber, fibers and metal. Tests performed with these machines include strength and pull testing
Polarization
Used to view stresses in material such as plastic or glass to determine a materials resistance
Exemplar Testing
Construction of models or the use of a duplicate product/material sample for the purpose of recreating an accident scene
