Labquip
+353 (0) 1 6434586
sales@labquip.ie
ISO-9001-2015

Metallography

Labquip was formed in 1982 to locally represent a metallographic manufacturer and to serve the needs of materials science laboratories in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

At Labquip we have nearly 40 years of experience in supporting materials laboratories – from start-up to the most extensive and sophisticated operations. Please get in touch with us to discuss your application and to assess how we can assist with improving your current sample preparation method and or supplies.

Metallography: the science of revealing and evaluating the internal structures of materials, for quality control, failure analysis and R&D.

metallographyMetallographic sample preparation allows identification techniques such as:

  • chemical analysis (elemental analysis)
  • microscopy imaging
  • hardness testing

This in turn allows material development & inspection, such as:

  • Material properties
  • Material performance
  • Reliability
  • Failure analysis
  • Production quality control

Labquip offers a complete range of metallographic sample preparation equipment and products

Sample preparation optimised & the time taken to order minimised by matching application-specific consumables with the appropriate piece of preparation equipment. These combinations succeed in revealing the true, optical structure of your materials. This process is facilitated by Labquip’s team dedicated metallographic technical engineers.

Our metallography or microstructural analysis packages include the following kinds of analysis:

  • Material’s inner structure
  • Grain size and distribution
  • Porosity and voids
  • Cracks
  • Phase analysis (homogenous)
  • Crystal structure
  • Cracks and other defects
  • Corrosion
  • Coating thickness and integrity
  • Foreign particle Inclusion
  • Weld analysis and heat affected zones (HAZ)
  • Solder joint integrity
  • Material joint integrity
  • Composite (orientation and distribution, voids, and defects)
  • Graphite nodularity
  • Layer
  • Hardness
  • Carbon distribution
  • Material stress
  • Elemental analysis (chemical analysis)
  • Failure analysis
  • Petrographic mineralogical specimens
metkonApplication-specific equipment & sample preparation equipment: Metkon
  • Metallographic Cutting
  • Mounting
  • Grinding & Polishing
  • High Volume Sample Preparation
  • Sample Preparation for Electronics & Semiconductor
  • Microscopy
  • Hardness Testing
  • Petrography
  • Sample Preparation For Spectroscopy
Consumable products: Akasel
  • Metallographic consumables pricing is available through a consultative quotation to accurately capture your exact material science (metallurgy) needs. You might also want to deploy an annual quotation to call off your needs through the year.
  • Demo kits: The Akasel Demo Kit is a unique way for testing the latest development in metallographic sample preparation. If you are learning to the business of preparing new materials, Akasel has demo kit containing all necessary consumables, user guides and brochures and will allow you to prepare 50 samples.

The Four Stages of Metallographic Analysis

Metallography stages

  • Abrasive (SERVOCUT & METACUT series) & Precision (MICRACUT Series) cutting equipment.
  • Specialist abrasive and precision cut off wheels.
  • Alumina/silicon carbide abrasive cut off wheels
  • Metal bonded cubic boron nitride(CBN) wafering cutting blades
  • Diamond cutting wheels
  • Clamping tools and specimen vices,
  • Cutting fluid
  • Dressing sticks
  • Cold mounting: moulds, epoxy resin and hardeners, Acrylic powder/liquid, mounting vacuum impregnation (VACUMET), and accessories.
  • Hot mounting: High temperature and pressure mounting presses (ECOPRESS Series) and mounting compounds.
  • Grinding/Polishing equipment (FORCIPOL) equipment
  • Magnetically base plate/disc
  • SiC waterproof abrasive papers (plain backed, adhesive backed)
  • Akasel’s Rhaco Grit High-quality grinding paper provides 2 – 3 times longer lifetime and 100% higher material removal than regular grinding paper as Al₂O₃ is used as abrasive.
  • Long lasting grinding discs (alternative over abrasive papers).
  • Dressing sticks.
  • High quality abrasive grinding stones.
  • Polishing cloths.
  • Diamond polishing suspensions.
  • Polishing lubricants.
  • Optional Etching (chemically / electrolytic with ELOPREP 102) of specimen to enhance the contrast on surfaces to visualise the microstructure or macrostructure.
  • Labquip supplies a range of etching fluid based on the material being analysed. For example, Alcoholic Nitric Acid is used to etch Carbon Steels, Krolls for Titanium alloys etc.
A note about our suppliers   –

Metkon metallographic equipment BROCHUREMetallographic Equipment Aftercare Preventive Maintenance Service

Labquip provide a complete factory trained and supportive annual preventative maintenance service for complete peace of mind.

Metkon and Labquip offer a 4-year warranty on equipment with customer installations in Ireland. METKON produces most of the components needed in their products, allowing strict control over the entire manufacturing process in accordance with the quality standards of ISO-9001.

Find here the Metkon metallographic equipment BROCHURE.

Please request any of the following APPLICATION GUIDES:

  • Most Common Metallographic Applications In Automotive Industry
  • Most Common Applications in Heat Treatment
  • Most Common Metallographic Applications in Fasteners
  • High-Volume Cutting Applications: Crankshaft
  • Hardness Testing Guide
  • Petrography Guide
  • Spectroscopy Guide
  • Metkon Solutions for Electronics Industry

Akasel optimised preparation methods for metallography, striving to make sample preparation ever more convenient, sustainable & affordable for material scientists and metallurgists. As a Danish specialist manufacturer dedicated to developing, producing, and distributing high-quality metallographic consumable products worldwide through dedicated partners, Labquip are Akasel’s specialist distributor in Ireland & Northern Ireland. We maintain an extensive stock in Dublin, which is available for next day delivery throughout Ireland. See below Akasel metallographic consumables catalogue and one Aka-brief – a method card example – of a tried, tested, and globally renowned  method to achieve the optimised metallographic sample presentation for Stainless and Duplex Steels:

metallography brochure
Aka Brief

To accurately capture your exact material science needs contact us  for a consultative quotation.

We can also assess and discuss your application to improve your current sample preparation method and/or supplies.