Abrasion Testing
Accelerated Life Testing
Chemistry Laboratory
Computer Modeling
Salt Spray Testing
Density
Electrical Properties
Electron Microscopy
Experimental Foundry
Failure Analysis
Hardness Laboratory
Heat Treatment Studies
Light Microscopy
Lubrication Testing
Machine Shop
Materials Databases
Mechanical Testing
Metallography
Paint & Coatings
Product Testing
Rolling Mill
Thermal Testing
HEAT TREATMENT STUDIES
The following list provides an overview of Touchstone’s capabilities in heat treatment:
Touchstone Research Laboratory has in-house, a Nikon Model QM high temperature microhardness tester capable of performing microhardness a variety of materials at anywhere from room temperature to 1450 degrees F. It is capable of testing metals, ceramics, coatings, and plastics in various inert gas environments, or in a vacuum, and has many other fascinating features.
The built in light microscope with magnifications of 100x, 200x, and 400x is used to measure the indentation size. A camera is mounted on the microscope, which allows photographs to be taken at any temperature. A load can be applied in 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, and 1000g levels. The time interval of the indenter loading can be set to any length by use of a built-in digital timer.
Phase change temperatures can also be determined using a melting crucible.
To study phase changes, the sample temperature can be reduced from any elevated temperature at a rate of 8000 C per second thereby almost instantly freezing the microstructure.