At TTT Group, we consider testing to be an integral part of our processes and not simply an additional operation. For this reason, we carry out these tests at our own facilities, which allows us to guarantee the quality of treatments and coatings without significantly increasing the delivery time.
Our tests are carried out in accordance with the quality standards of certified processes, such as NADCAP in the case of aeronautics. See also aeronautical certifications for testing. Some of the most important tests include:
Hardness
Hardness tests are commonly used to evaluate the results of heat treatments on metal materials. These tests measure the resistance of a material to plastic deformation or penetration by a hardness test tool. The results of these tests can indicate the depth and distribution of changes in the microstructure of the material due to heat treatment, which can be used to adjust the heat treatment parameters and improve the mechanical properties of the material. In addition, hardness tests can also be used to compare different materials and select the most suitable for a specific application.
Metallography
Metallography tests are tests to analyse the microstructure of metal materials after subjecting them to controlled heating and cooling processes. Through sample preparation and the use of optical microscopes, grains, phases, inclusions, and structural changes induced by heat treatment are examined. These tests are crucial for assessing the quality and performance of materials in key industries and for the development of new materials and manufacturing processes.
Tensile testing
Tensile tests in heat treatments are mechanical tests that evaluate the strength and behaviour of metal materials after they are subjected to controlled heating and cooling processes. These tests apply tensile force to a sample to measure properties such as strength, elastic limit, elongation, hardness, ductility and toughness. They help understand how heat treatments affect the microstructure of the material and ensure that it meets the standards required for structural applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace and construction.
Resilience testing
Resilience tests are tests that measure the ability of the material to absorb and release energy during elastic deformation. These tests are critical for assessing material toughness and resistance to impact loads, providing key information about its behaviour in applications exposure to sudden loads or shocks such as landing gear parts. They also ensure the safety and performance of materials in various industrial markets.
Other mechanical tests
In addition to the tests mentioned above, TTT Group also has a wide variety of advanced mechanical tests to evaluate the quality and properties of materials undergoing heat treatment. These include tests for resilience, layer thickness, adhesion, bending and roughness, among others. These tests guarantee the reliability and safety of materials used in various industries, providing valuable information for the development and improvement of manufacturing processes and technological applications.
Coating thickness
Technique used to accurately measure the thickness of surface layers treated in materials. The result of the coating thickness test provides crucial information to ensure the proper performance of materials in terms of corrosion protection, wear resistance and other relevant surface properties.
Adhesion
Essential test used to evaluate the bond strength between the treated surface layers and the material substrate. This test verifies the quality of the joining process and ensures that the applied coatings and heat treatments adhere solidly and lastingly to the base metal.
Rugosity
Technique used to measure and quantify the surface texture of a metal sample. This test provides information on roughness, irregularities and ripples present on the surface of the material. Roughness influences factors such as wear resistance, friction, and surface sealing capacity.