Technical Overview
Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory specializes in delivering comprehensive Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing Key Special Research Testing Completion Service to global enterprises. With CNAS accreditation and extensive experience in advanced manufacturing testing, we provide precise, reliable testing solutions that support research institutions and manufacturers in validating material performance, process optimization, and product quality. Our testing capabilities cover the complete spectrum of additive manufacturing and laser processing technologies, ensuring compliance with international standards and regulatory requirements across North America, Europe, and Asian markets.
Product Samples We Regularly Test
Our laboratory receives and tests a diverse range of samples from additive manufacturing and laser processing applications. These samples represent various industries including aerospace, medical devices, automotive, and industrial equipment manufacturing.
- Metal Powder Materials: Titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), Aluminum alloys (AlSi10Mg), Stainless steel (316L, 17-4PH), Nickel-based superalloys (Inconel 718, Inconel 625), Cobalt-chrome alloys
- Polymer Materials: PA12 (Nylon 12), PA6, PLA, ABS, PEKK, ULTEM, PEEK powders and filaments
- Additive Manufactured Metal Parts: Aerospace structural components, medical implants, tooling inserts, heat exchangers, custom fixtures
- Additive Manufactured Polymer Parts: Functional prototypes, production components, lattice structures, flexible parts
- Laser Welded Assemblies: Dissimilar metal joints, automotive body structures, battery packs, pressure vessels
- Laser Cladded Components: Surface coatings, repair overlays, wear-resistant layers, functional graded materials
- Ceramic Materials: Zirconia, alumina, silicon carbide powders and printed ceramic parts
Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing Key Special Research Testing Completion Service: Metal Materials Testing
Metal additive manufacturing requires rigorous testing to ensure material integrity and mechanical performance. Our metal materials testing section forms a critical part of our Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing Key Special Research Testing Completion Service portfolio.
- Tensile Testing at Room and Elevated Temperatures: Determination of ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation according to ASTM E8/E8M and ASTM E21 for high-temperature applications, verifying mechanical properties of as-built and heat-treated metal AM parts
- Charpy Impact Testing: Measurement of impact energy absorption using ASTM E23, evaluating material toughness and brittleness for safety-critical applications
- Hardness Testing: Vickers, Rockwell, and Brinell hardness measurements per ASTM E10, E18, and E384, mapping hardness distribution across build layers and heat-affected zones
- Fatigue Testing: High-cycle and low-cycle fatigue testing following ASTM E466 and E606, essential for aerospace and automotive applications where cyclic loading is prevalent
- Fracture Toughness Testing: CTOD and J-integral testing per ASTM E1820, characterizing crack propagation resistance in additively manufactured metals
- Metallographic Examination: Microstructure analysis, grain size measurement, and phase identification according to ASTM E3, E407, and E112, revealing melt pool morphology, porosity distribution, and microstructural anisotropy
- Density and Porosity Measurement: Archimedes density measurement per ASTM B311 and X-ray CT scanning for internal defect detection, quantifying build quality and process parameters effectiveness
Polymer Materials Testing for Additive Manufacturing
Polymer additive manufacturing presents unique challenges related to layer adhesion, crystallinity, and thermal properties. Our testing protocols address these specific requirements.
- Tensile and Flexural Testing: Evaluation of tensile properties per ASTM D638 and flexural properties per ASTM D790, assessing mechanical performance of printed polymers in different build orientations
- Impact Resistance Testing: Izod and Charpy impact testing according to ASTM D256 and D6110, measuring notched impact strength for functional polymer parts
- Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): Determination of heat resistance using ASTM D648, critical for applications involving thermal loading
- Vicat Softening Temperature: Measurement of softening point per ASTM D1525, indicating temperature limits for service conditions
- Melt Flow Index (MFI): Characterization of polymer flow properties according to ASTM D1238, relevant to material extrusion processes
- Thermal Analysis (DSC/TGA): Differential scanning calorimetry per ASTM D3418 for crystallinity determination and thermogravimetric analysis for thermal stability and composition
- Density and Dimensional Accuracy: Measurement of part density and geometric accuracy using coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and optical scanning techniques
Powder Material Characterization Testing
The quality of feedstock powder directly determines the quality of final additively manufactured parts. Our powder characterization services are essential for incoming material inspection and process qualification.
- Particle Size Distribution: Laser diffraction analysis per ASTM B822, determining D10, D50, D90 values that affect powder flow and packing density
- Particle Morphology: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation per ASTM F3049, assessing sphericity, satellite particles, and surface texture
- Apparent and Tap Density: Measurement according to ASTM B212 and B527, evaluating powder packing characteristics and flow behavior
- Flowability Testing: Hall flowmeter and Carney flow testing per ASTM B213 and B964, quantifying powder flow rates for recoating process optimization
- Chemical Composition Analysis: ICP-OES and combustion analysis for elemental composition verification, ensuring alloy specification compliance
- Moisture Content: Karl Fischer titration and loss on drying methods, preventing hydrogen-induced defects in metal AM processes
Laser Manufacturing Process Testing and Validation
Laser-based manufacturing processes require specialized testing to verify process parameters, weld integrity, and surface quality. Our laboratory offers comprehensive laser manufacturing testing services.
- Laser Weld Quality Inspection: Non-destructive testing including radiographic inspection per AWS D1.2 and ultrasonic testing per ASTM E164, detecting porosity, cracks, and incomplete fusion in laser welds
- Weld Macro and Micro Examination: Cross-sectional analysis per AWS B4.0, evaluating weld penetration, fusion zone geometry, and heat-affected zone characteristics
- Weld Tensile and Bend Testing: Mechanical property verification of welded joints according to AWS D1.2 and ASTM E190, assessing joint strength and ductility
- Surface Roughness Measurement: Contact profilometry and optical methods per ISO 4287 and ISO 25178, characterizing as-built and post-processed surfaces
- Residual Stress Measurement: X-ray diffraction and hole-drilling methods per ASTM E837, quantifying residual stresses from laser processing operations
- Laser Clad Coating Evaluation: Coating thickness measurement, bond strength testing, and microhardness mapping per ASTM C633 and E384, validating coating quality and adhesion
Report Recognition and Compliance
All testing methods utilized in our Additive Manufacturing and Laser Manufacturing Key Special Research Testing Completion Service are within our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation scope, ensuring technical competence and result reliability. Our test reports are recognized and accepted by regulatory authorities and certification bodies in major global markets, including the United States (FDA, FAA), European Union (notified bodies under EU MDR, machinery directive), and Asian regulatory agencies. We provide comprehensive test reports that include detailed methodology descriptions, equipment calibration records, traceable reference materials, and uncertainty assessments where applicable. Our documentation supports customer qualification processes, regulatory submissions, and international market access requirements.
