One area that distinguishes Boston Centerless from other precision grinding companies is our comprehensive, in-house Material Testing and Validation services. Our team understands the criticality of robust testing to ensure reliability in the field, especially in sensitive industries such as the medical and aerospace sectors. We offer a variety of material testing and validation services including Eddy Current Testing, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Alloy Verification, and Laser Marking. The following article discusses these services in more detail. We also offer Ultrasonic Testing (UT); visit our website to learn more about UT at Boston Centerless.
The Value In-House Testing Delivers to Our Customers
At Boston Centerless, we perform all testing and validation services in-house. This results in significantly faster speeds to market and lower logistics costs for our customers. Our customers no longer have to transport products to a 3rd party location for material testing and validation services, leading to substantial time and money savings. Additionally, our team is able to achieve 100% product testing as opposed to testing a small sample size like many of our competitors. This is another significant benefit for our customers, especially those that supply critical products to industries where performance issues in the field are not an option.
Our team is always looking for opportunities to grow and expand our material testing and validation services. In fact, in 2023 we added new testing capabilities: material hardness and micro-hardness as well as tensile strength. This is just one example of our commitment to providing the best precision grinding solutions for our customers.
Material Testing and Validation Services: Eddy Current and XRF
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods are often used for material testing and validation. NDT covers a wide range of inspection techniques that are used across a variety of industries – all of which allow inspectors to assess the structural integrity of a material without damaging it. The purpose of non-destructive testing is to identify potential issues on the surface or within the material that may result in performance problems including failure. These tests are able to identify potential density or porosity issues as well as tiny cracks or gaps that could lead to integrity problems. Two common types of NDT are eddy current and X-ray fluorescence. Below are more details about each test method.
Eddy Current
Eddy current is an NDT material testing method that determines if a product has flaws or cracks on or near the surface. This technique can also determine if general corrosion exists. Eddy current testing relies on electromagnetism in conductive material samples. An electronic probe that operates with an alternating current is run along the length of the product being tested. The current generates a changing magnetic field that produces local eddy currents along the test surface. A receiver coil measures the properties of the eddy currents. The results are used to identify defects; changes in the eddy current properties are typically indicative of a flaw in the product. Eddy current density is highest at the surface of the test material and decreases with depth. Penetration depth may be varied by changing the frequency of the alternating current. Thus, for each given material and test scenario, there is an optimum frequency to yield the necessary depth of penetration and flaw detection sensitivity. For this reason, it is imperative that companies partner with a precision grinding partner, like Boston Centerless, that has expertise and years of know-how in material testing methods such as eddy current.
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
XRF is a material testing method that utilizes analyzers, often handheld, to determine the elemental composition and grade of a given material. At Boston Centerless, we have two XRF analyzers in our facility, one to examine materials as they arrive at our plant for processing and one on the UT line to examine material at high speed.
Similar to eddy current testing, XRF is a non-destructive test. XRF determines the chemistry by measuring the fluorescent X-ray emitted from a product when it is excited by a primary X-ray source. The primary X-ray is typically high energy rays from a controlled X-ray tube. Electrons in the product being analyzed emit a fluorescent X-ray signature during testing. Each element produces a specific set of fluorescent X-rays, similar to how each fingerprint is unique. For this reason, XRF can be utilized for qualitative and quantitative analysis of elemental composition. The fluorescent X-rays emitted from the product are used to determine the composition of the sample. XRF material testing is often used to ensure material chemistry specifications are met. At Boston Centerless, we verify the composition of materials entering and exiting our facility – just another reason our customers trust us to be their precision grinding partner.
Material Testing and Validation Services: Laser Marking
Laser marking is a service where customer-specific markings are permanently lasered on the surface of a product. Laser marking is used for a variety of applications ranging from the customization of promotional items to material traceability. At Boston Centerless, we can laser mark anything on a precision ground bar including part numbers, bar codes, and company logos. Our customers often use laser markings to track and identify materials in their shop inventory, enabling them to operate more efficiently and effectively.
In addition to inventory management, traceability has become an important aspect of manufacturing in recent years. The ability to follow a product through the life cycle has several advantages. With a marked code, manufacturers are able to quickly determine when and where a component was produced, which is essential when working through recalls, warranties, or product failures.
Would your team benefit from the in-house material testing and validation services that Boston Centerless offers?
Contact us today to learn more about the range of tests and services we offer including eddy current, XRF, and laser marking.
About Boston Centerless
Boston Centerless provides solutions that enhance our customers' manufacturing processes. With over 60 years of experience with precision grinding, we grind the tightest tolerances in the industry. We have proven experience with an extensive range of materials, and our manufacturing solutions include:
- AccuRod® Precision Bar
- BC Medical Grade
- Grinding Services
- Value-Added Services
- Material Testing & Validation
- Supply Chain Management
- SwissAssist
Contact us today at (781) 994-5000 to see how we can help with your next precision bar material project, or click here for a quote.