Empowering fabrication excellence with One Eighty Materials Engineering’s cutting-edge, ISO accredited materials testing laboratory
Metal fabrication refers to the building of metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling processes. It is the evolutionary process of creating a metal product, from layout and design to formation and finishing This value-added process involves the creation of machines, parts, and structures from various raw materials.
At One Eighty Materials Engineering, we play a pivotal role in the world of fabrication through our state-of-the-art, ISO 17025:2017-accredited materials testing laboratory. As a leading name in the industry, we are dedicated to ensuring the quality, safety, and performance of your fabricated components and structures.
Our expert materials engineers and technicians conduct a comprehensive range of tests on various materials, including metals, alloys, composites, and polymers. Through meticulous mechanical tests such as tensile, hardness, impact, and fatigue testing, we assess the strength, durability, and resilience of your materials.
With advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques like X-ray, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle inspection, we detect hidden flaws and defects, safeguarding the structural integrity of your fabricated components.
Collaborating with your team, we develop and qualify welding procedures, certifying that your welds meet industry standards and performance requirements.
Weld Procedure Qualification
Weld Procedure Qualification (WPQ) is a critical process in welding, where a specific welding procedure is rigorously tested and qualified to ensure it meets the required quality and performance standards. WPQ is essential to ensure the integrity and safety of welded components in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, and aerospace.
A materials testing lab plays a vital role in the WPQ process. They collaborate with engineers and welders to develop the welding procedure specifications. The lab then fabricates test welds following these specifications, which are subjected to various mechanical tests, such as tensile testing, bend testing, and impact testing. Additionally, non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, like X-ray or ultrasonic inspection, are employed to detect any hidden defects.
The materials testing lab’s impartial and thorough evaluation ensures that the welding procedure meets industry standards and regulatory requirements. Successful qualification provides confidence that the welds performed using this procedure will result in reliable and safe fabricated components.
Some of the key roles that materials testing plays in the fabrication industry are:
1. Quality Assurance: Materials testing is essential for quality assurance in fabrication. By subjecting materials to various tests, such as tensile testing, hardness testing, impact testing, and fatigue testing, fabricators can verify whether the materials meet specified mechanical properties and performance criteria. This ensures that only materials of the highest quality are used in the fabrication process.
2. Material Selection: Choosing the right materials for a fabrication project is critical. Materials testing provides valuable data on the properties of different materials, helping fabricators make informed decisions about which materials are best suited for their specific applications. This optimization of material selection leads to improved performance, longevity, and cost-effectiveness of the final product.
3. Structural Integrity: In industries where safety is paramount, such as aerospace and construction, materials testing is essential for ensuring the structural integrity of fabricated components. It helps identify potential flaws, defects, or weaknesses in the materials that could compromise the performance and safety of the final product.
4. Compliance with Standards and Regulations: Many industries have stringent standards and regulations that dictate the properties and performance requirements of fabricated components. Materials testing ensures that the materials used in fabrication meet these standards and comply with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance issues.
5. Process Improvement and R&D: Materials testing is a valuable tool for process improvement and research and development (R&D). By analyzing the behavior of materials under different conditions, fabricators can identify areas for improvement in their fabrication processes. It also aids in the development of new and advanced materials with improved properties for future applications.
6. Failure Analysis: In the unfortunate event of a failure or defect in a fabricated component, materials testing can be instrumental in conducting failure analysis. Through various testing methods, experts can investigate the root cause of the failure, identify material-related issues, and recommend corrective actions to prevent similar failures in the future.
7. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): NDT is a subset of materials testing that allows the evaluation of materials and components without causing damage to them. Techniques such as X-ray inspection, ultrasonic testing, and magnetic particle testing are used to detect internal flaws, cracks, or defects in fabricated materials without altering their integrity.
In summary, materials testing plays a vital role in the fabrication industry by ensuring the quality, performance, and safety of materials and fabricated components. It empowers fabricators to make informed decisions, comply with industry standards and regulations, improve processes, and ultimately deliver products of exceptional quality to their customers.
Choose One Eighty Materials Engineering for unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge technology, and data-driven insights that elevate your fabrication processes, ensuring you deliver products of the highest quality, safety, and reliability to your customers. Partner with us and empower your fabrication excellence today.