When time, access or operational constraints make laboratory testing impractical, on-site support provides a fast and effective alternative.
Our team delivers specialist materials expertise directly at your facility – helping you assess components, investigate issues and gather critical data without the need for removal or disruption. This is particularly valuable in large-scale plant and process environments where minimising downtime is essential.
Having the opportunity to examine actual metal samples within a laboratory can provide detailed insight into any materials degradation, and the possible impact upon a component’s functionality.
However, taking actual samples from an operational location is often not practical and could impair the integrity of the subject matter. The alternative to this is to replicate the preparation techniques used within a laboratory, in-situ directly upon the subject component.
Utilising appropriate replication techniques, a specialist technician is able to take what is in essence a carbon copy of the underlying microstructure revealing damage mechanisms such as creep and thermal degradation processes such as carbide spheroidisation in carbon steels and sigma phase and carbide precipitation in stainless steels.
R-TECH Group have a breadth of experience in the application of this method to a wide range of materials.
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We offer Positive Materials Identification (PMI) in-situ by means of a portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer. Instead of reliance on paper work and marking systems, the manufacturer is required to demonstrate that the materials used for component manufacture is the correct material specified for the job.
There are limitations with this technique, since it is unable to analyse for light elements such as carbon, aluminium and silicon. Nevertheless, for many industrially used metallic materials, the XRF technique can be used to verify whether or not the correct grade of material has been used.
The results of the analysis performed on the component can be compared with reference samples, or can be compared with the library of alloy grades in the library of the instrument.
We are able to undertake hardness testing in-situ using equipment which measures hardness from the rebound of a ball from the test surface.
The device is spring loaded, so that hardness can be measured on surfaces in any orientation. Conversions are available to gives results in the common hardness scales (Vickers, Rockwell etc).
A typical application would be the measurement of the hardness of pipes in process plant as part of a condition assessment.
Find out moreWe assess your requirements, site conditions and operational constraints.
Appropriate techniques and equipment are selected for safe and effective on-site work.
Testing and assessment are carried out directly on components or systems.
Findings are reviewed to determine material condition and performance.
We provide clear recommendations to support maintenance, investigation or further action.
Accurate testing, trusted insight, and practical solutions to help you make confident decisions where materials matter most.
