Chemical Analysis Each analysis is fortified by an understanding of how the material's chemistry, microstructure and mechanical properties interact. Stringently controlled procedures ensure the reliability of results and absolute traceability to National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Materials. Thoroughness and Integrity in Chemical Analysis This laboratory built its reputation for excellence by preparing and analyzing the most challenging materials, including superalloys and ceramics. Unlike many other laboratories, Dirats never settles for reporting raw data. Instruments are calibrated with matrix-matched reference standards to account for microstructure, matrix interaction and interelemental effects in aerospace alloy systems. For this reason, many producers of standard reference materials use results from this laboratory for validation of their own standards. Physical Testing Dirats Laboratories performs tests for conductivity, magnetic permeability and electrical resistivity. X-ray diffraction is widely employed for phase characterization of powders used in thermal or wear barrier applications. Differential thermal analysis is also used to establish phase transformation temperatures. A robotic specimen changer and theta-theta geometry with parallel-beam optics improve testing speed, resolution and accuracy. Particle size characterization by laser light scattering also plays an integral role in powder production process control.

Chemical Analysis Using: X-ray fluorescence Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy Inert gas fusion hydrogen analysis Nitrogen, oxygen analysis Combustive carbon/sulfur analysis Instruments ARL 8680+ Multichannel XRF Quantometer Kevex 0700 Energy Dispersive XRF Analyzer Perkin Elmer Optima 3300DV ICP Emission Spectrometer Perkin Elmer Sciex Elan 6100 DRC ICP Mass Spectrometer Leco RH404 Hydrogen Analyzer Leco TC436 Nitrogen/Oxygen Analyzer Leco CS444 Carbon/Sulfur Analyzer Fisher Accumet Ion Analyzer Physical Testing Using: X-ray diffraction for quantitative phase determination of metals and ceramics Sieve and laser light scattering for powder particle size determination Differential thermal analysis for phase solvus and transus point determination Instruments Siemens D500 X-ray Diffractometer Honeywell Microtrac SRA 150 Particle Size Analyzer DuPont 9000 Thermal Analyzer Karl Fisher 391 Titrimeter

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS-LATEST NEWS ICP-MS brings greater speed, better detection sensitivity and multi-element capability to trace element analysis. ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) ICP-MS is a highly sophisticated technique that allows fast analysis of a myriad of elements at extremely low detection limits-one or two orders of magnitude below emission ICP. The ICP-MS can analyze 75 elements every three minutes at a low detection limit, transforming tedious analysis into high-speed results. By contrast, a graphite furnace requires a half-hour to analyze just a few elements at that level of sensitivity. D8 Advance Bruker X-ray Diffractometer This theta-theta instrument has parallel beam optics and nine-position automatic sample changer to enhance our throughput capabilities for retained austenite measurements. By preloading nine samples at a time, we keep this high-speed instrument busy all night-boosting our processing rate to 18-20 samples per day. Besides measuring retained austenite with high accuracy, it is also applied to phase identification of ceramic samples.

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