Materials Testing

We offer a range of failure analysis and material investigation services, ranging from standalone component tests to comprehensive forensic engineering projects. Our teams are able to determine root causes of failures by applying a suite of scientific tools and analytical techniques, enabling our customers clients to identify design and process improvement opportunities. Our well-equipped laboratory includes facilities to undertake:

• SEM analysis
• X-ray radiography
• FTIR organics analysis
• Strain gauging for electronic assemblies
• Mechanical testing
• Metallography
• Optical inspection and measurement (e.g. to IPC-A-610 standard)

Reliability is the ability of a product to operate to its specification for a defined period of time. Many factors affect the ability of a product to achieve a required level of reliability. These include appropriate design for the operating environment, supply chain management and process capability. A thorough assessment of all of these aspects during the design cycle will often reveal weaknesses which would result in poor in-service reliability.Defining the reliability requirements is a pre-requisite for a successful design. Over many years, we have built up extensive knowledge of life cycle usage environments and understands how products can fail. This knowledge is incorporated into the design process using established tools such as Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).

ZF Race Engineering offers both destructive and non destructive mechanical testing services including,

• Tensile strength
• Compression loads
• Cyclic loading
• Temperature controlled chamber for mechanical testing between -70°C and +350°C
• Strain measurement, on or off site
• Macro- and micro-hardness

With the aid of the on site prototyping facility, jigs and fixtures can be made to allow for the testing of even the most unusual shaped products.Our UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 0332 also provides a range of testing services to support your test requirements.