Testing Methods

Test Methods & Analytical Capabilities

Most materials questions come down to choosing the right method and applying it correctly. MatX Lab offers fifteen analytical disciplines, from imaging and elemental analysis to mechanical, thermal, and structural testing, spanning the full range from the atomic scale to bulk performance. We match the method to your question rather than to a fixed instrument set, and we coordinate multiple disciplines into one program when a question needs more than one.

How We Select and Combine Methods

You receive the full extent of every methodology with only one point of contact and one comprehensive report.
From there, we go with the decision that you need to make, then recommend the methodologies that will satisfy your needs, all managed through an integrated network of certified partner laboratories. There are many cases where more than one methodology is required; for example, the investigation of a failure may require imaging, elemental analysis, and mechanical testing, among others.

Imaging & Structure

Imaging & Microscopy

Resolves structure, morphology, and defects from the macro scale to the atomic scale by optical, SEM, and TEM. The direct way to see microstructure, coatings, and fracture surfaces.

3D Characterization

Non-destructive imaging of internal three-dimensional structure by computed tomography. Maps porosity, voids, and defects and measures internal features without cutting the part.

Structural Characterization

Determines crystal structure, phase, texture, and residual stress by X-ray diffraction and EBSD. Reads the crystallographic structure that governs strength and cracking.

Composition, Surface & Particles

Elemental Analysis

This is useful in determining composition and purity from bulk levels to parts per billion via ICP, XRF, and electron beam techniques. Determines what the material is comprised of.

Spectroscopy

Determination of polymers and organics via molecular structure, using FTIR, Raman, and other spectroscopic techniques. Pathway to identifying, deformulating, and contaminating materials.

Surface Analysis

Characterizes the chemistry of the outermost nanometers by XPS, Auger, and ToF-SIMS, with depth profiling. Reads the surface that adhesion, corrosion, and contamination depend on.

Particle Analysis

Measures particle size, shape, surface area, count, and identity for powders, suspensions, and contaminants. Gives the population statistics behind a material.

Mechanical, Thermal & Physical

Mechanical Testing

This Measures strength, hardness, toughness, fatigue, fracture, and creep. Defines how a material behaves under load and whether it meets its specification.

Thermal Analysis

Measures transitions, stability, expansion, and composition versus temperature by DSC, TGA, DMA, and TMA. Shows how a material behaves as the temperature changes.

Physical & Rheological Properties

Here, the measurement of density, melt flow, viscosity, hardness, and moisture. Captures the bulk properties that govern processing and lot-to-lot consistency.

Environmental, Electrical & Performance

Corrosion & Environmental Testing

In this case, testing of the degradation behavior of materials in salt, moisture, chemical environment, and stress through chamber, electrochemical, and immersion methods. Resistance ranking and corrosion mechanism identification are done.

Electrical Testing

It helps in measurement of resistivity, dielectric behavior, insulation resistance, and breakdown. Quantifies how a material carries, blocks, or stores electrical energy.

Fire & Flammability

Measures ignition, flame spread, heat release, and smoke, and classifies materials against ratings such as UL 94. Characterizes how a material behaves in fire.

Optical & Appearance Testing

Measures color, gloss, haze, transmittance, and yellowing. Turns appearance into numbers you can specify and control.

Investigation

Failure Analysis

Fractography, microstructural analysis, material composition, and non-destructive examination are all combined in a single failure analysis test. The reason for the failure of that particular component is determined along with the way to prevent future failures.

Standards Across Methods

Each one of our disciplines is tested using established testing procedures, which we harmonize with the test methods you specify under ASTM, ISO, IEC, UL, MIL-STD, SEMI, and IPC, where appropriate for that industry. The designation page for each procedure provides a list of the most pertinent designations to that discipline, and our Standards hub explains what alignment means and what it does not.