Providing confidence throughout the entire additive manufacturing process
Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is an increasingly popular technique which provides increased design freedom and processing routes. This can be exploited to develop innovative materials, parts and components, often with complex shapes, less material wastage, improved strength to weight ratios and built-in functionality. The benefit of producing end-products with limited or no further machining, combined with rapid advances and ready access to AM production technology has seen a rapid rise in product applications using a wide range of metals.
However, it is important to recognise the challenges in deploying these products as processed, including the inhomogeneous and graded microstructure, strong crystallographic texture, elemental segregation, residual stress, surface roughness, shrinkage fissures, pores, and mechanical properties that may be directionally sensitive.
For AM parts it is critical to establish feedstock-process-structure-property-performance relationships, particularly in safety critical applications. The lack of understanding and standardisation to capture the structural integrity of AM parts is still seen as a major limiting factor in the uptake and adoption of AM in load-bearing safety critical applications. We provide customers a range of bespoke testing and measurement to deliver the independent validation they need to be confident in their material selection and performance.
A comprehensive list of tests and services
NPL scientists and engineers have a suite of microstructural, analytical mechanical, non-destructive evaluation, thermal analysis and modelling techniques to help provide materials assurance through validated test methods, rooted in over a century of metrology. Through this, we provide customers with a range of bespoke testing and measurement to deliver the independent validation they need to be confident in their material selection and performance.
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DIC/Data analysis
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Mechanical testing
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XCT
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Data analytics
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Powder metallurgy
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Polymer processing rheology
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Surface analysis
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3D microstructural analysis
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Dimensional analysis
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Auditing
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Tribology
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AFM
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Fractography
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Contact & non-contact measurement testing
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Comparative analysis
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Dielectric and microwave testing
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Thermophysical analysis
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Training
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Thermal expansion
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Consultancy
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