Using various optical microscopy techniques, we can study different microstructural aspects of metallic materials. For this purpose, we have state-of-the-art inverted metallographic microscopes and stereographic magnifiers. Using this equipment, we perform brightfield, darkfield, polarised light, Nomarski DIC, Lambda tint plate and stereomicroscopy tests. These devices also allow for motorised image capture. With them, we can obtain focused images with large depth of field and large images at high magnification. Thanks to our collaboration with the University of Cadiz, these studies can be extended using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

Our quality system includes 16 standardised procedures, accredited by ENAC and NADCAP, and approved by Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer and Sikorsky. Using these procedures we perform the following metallographic tests: Alpha case determination in titanium alloys, determination of delta ferrite content, diffusion of core in clad, sealing efficiency, cladding thickness, knife cut defect evaluation, microscopical examination of laminated shim stocks, macroscopic-microscopic examination of welding joints, eutectic melting, metallographic examination, thickness measurement of anodic layer by microscopical examination, thickness measurement by microscopical examination of a transverse cross section, hydrogen porosity, fillet radius and transition zone, sem-eds, susceptibility to intergranular corrosion and grain size.