Articles - Page 4 of 7

Hardness Testing in the Automotive Industry

Being a leader in affordable hardness testers and hardness testing equipment, METSUCO has seen hardness testing in many different industries. One industry that which hardness testing is critical in the design and production process is the Automotive industry. Hardness Testing of ferrous and non-ferrous components to internationally recognized ASTM standards is a well-established process. Throughout the design and production process, from the frame to the engine, hardness testing is absolutely essential in quality control of the final product. Let’s look at exactly how that is the case. What is a Hardness Test? First, a quick refresher as to what is... Continue reading

Hardness Testing

Hardness Testing for Welding Joint Integrity

Hardness testing for welding joint integrity is vital for guaranteeing the structural integrity of the metal pieces being joined. It’s not always the same types of metal that are being welded together. The weld itself might be of the same material as the welded workpieces or might be of a different material (alloy) compared to the welded components. Because welding uses high heat, it can change the surrounding metal properties. At the joint of the two metals, there could be micro-cracks or delaminations that make the joint brittle. There’s no use having an ultra-strong joint if the surrounding metal is... Continue reading

Benchtop versus Portable Hardness Testers.

If you are looking to test the hardness of your manufactured part for quality testing, your need an hardness tester. METSUCO has been providing companies and universities with hardness testers and hardness testing equipment for over 30 years. In those 30 years, as we have talked to purchasing departments, engineers and others, an interesting question keeps coming up, which should we go with, a benchtop or portable hardness tester? Because of this, we want to cover Benchtop versus portable hardness testers. We are going to assume those that reading this know what a hardness test is. If you need a... Continue reading

Non-Destructive Testing

Common Types of Nondestructive Testing

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a type of quality testing used to analyze material properties and/or structural integrity of a material without causing any damage to the material that is being tested. This form of material testing is used in many various manufacturing and design fields including oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, and many more! They are cost-effective ways to spot defects in materials before the full manufacturing process begins, save time, money, and possibly even lives. Having said all that, there are several different common types of nondestructive testing. Common Types of Nondestructive Testing Visual Testing The most simple nondestructive... Continue reading

Universities are turning to METSUCO for NDT and hardness testing equipment.

Universities all across the country have engineering and manufacturing departments that study the science of metallurgy. Because universities are often engaged in the study of metallurgical and engineering practices, oftentimes their requirements for hardness testing equipment and NDT equipment can be different than commercial clients. For example, hardness testing is suitable for measuring the hardness of ferrous, non-ferrous metals, and plastic materials. It is commonly used not only in factories, but in scientific research institutes, and college laboratories. This research can play a vital role in determining the hardness and strength of new material in development or old material that... Continue reading

How Does the Oil and Gas Industry Use Hardness Testing

METSUCO has been based here in Houston, TX for over 30 years. For Houston and Texas in general, there has been one industry that stands out above others, oil and gas. METSUCO has partnered with many oil and gas companies over the years to provide them their hardness testing supplies and metallurgical testing supplies. Yet, how does the oil and gas industry use hardness testing? How important is hardness testing to a vital national industry such as oil and gas? What is a Hardness Test? The hardness of material refers to its ability to resist wear, tear, scratching, and abrasion... Continue reading

Buyer’s Guide To Hardness Testers

When a company is considering buying a hardness tester, we here at METSUCO understand that it's an investment into that company's future. Whether it's for manufacturing, engineering, product development, or one of the many other applications, the hardness tester will be an important piece of the process. Because of this, we have put together a buyer's guide to hardness testers to help you choose which hardness tester is best for you. Application and Hardness Scale In order to buy a hardness tester, you first need to know what applications it will be used for. Depending on the material you are... Continue reading

Affordable NTD Supplies Available During Supply Chain Shortage.

One of the downfalls of the last 18 months has been supply chain shortages. This has affected several sectors of commerce and manufacturing. Yet, in the wake of these major supply chain disruptions, Metallurgical Supply Co. (METSUCO) based near Houston, TX, stands ready with affordable NDT supplies available during supply chain shortages. In an interview with NPR, Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, “There's no quick immediate fix. But the answer is to have a dedicated focus on building domestic capability to both invent and innovate”. And the fact that there are multiple supply chain issues happening almost... Continue reading

Sample Preparation – Sectioning and Mounting explained

Sample preparation for tests such as the hardness test are critical when it comes to quality control, production, and engineering. Last month we went over the grinding and polishing of samples. Now we are going to explain the sectioning and mounting process of sample preparation. Sample Preparation – Sectioning and Mounting Explained. Sectioning The sectioning part of the sample preparation is where the sample is cut or “sectioned” off from the main material source. One of the most important aspects of sectioning is to not alter the microstructure or damage fracture features when cutting a specimen. If an abrasive saw... Continue reading

Sample Preparation – Grinding and polishing explained

In order to take proper measurements on a specimen that is being tested, such as a piece of material for a hardness test, proper sample preparation is a key step in order to get accurate data from the test. In sample preparation, you usually have the following steps: sectioning, mounting, coarse grinding, fine grinding, polishing, etching and examination. We are going to explain the grinding and polishing steps in sample preparation. Sample Preparation – Grinding and polishing explained. Grinding Grinding removes saw marks and levels and cleans the specimen surface. The goal at the end of grinding is to... Continue reading