NSL Analytical's Blog

While X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy provides quantitative elemental composition of materials, it cannot distinguish between identical atoms in different crystalline phase arrangements. However, we can confirm both the elemental and phase content of ceramic materials with certainty by combining XRF analysis with powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Watch this webinar from NSL Analytical Services and Rigaku, a leader in x-ray technology, to learn more.

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Even very low levels of moisture can have significant impacts on metal powder flow, consolidation and surface oxidation, particularly during powder reuse. In this webinar, we examine how Karl Fischer titration is applied to precise moisture analysis in metal powders for additive manufacturing.

Although several techniques can be applied to the measurement of water in such powders, the results are often inconsistent or exhibit high variability. Karl Fischer titration can provide high precision, accuracy over a very wide range, and excellent repeatability. In this webinar, we use a critical review of published data and procedures to provide insight into the application of the technique to metal powder additive manufacturing.

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As part of our ongoing expansion of analytical services, NSL is proud to announce that we have added moisture analysis by Karl Fischer titration to our ISO 17025 accreditation scope. This method measures precise water levels as low as 10 ppm in a wide range of organic and inorganic materials. Sample materials can be analyzed in liquid or solid form, using either volumetric or coulometric techniques.

Hydrogen embrittlement can cause a part to fail under stresses well below the expected material strength. Plus, the phenomenon is virtually undetectable using current NDE techniques. In this "Famous Failures" webinar, NSL metallurgists Rebecca Stawovy and Ben Schmidt explore a Bell 222U Helicopter failure that occurred due to hydrogen embrittlement. They discuss which conditions can lead to hydrogen embrittlement, how it causes a part to fail, and how it can be prevented. 

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As a member of The Vision Council, NSL Analytical Services is proud to support National Sunglasses Day on Sunday, June 27.  This initiative promotes the importance of wearing ultraviolet (UV)-protective eyewear.  The annual celebration reminds everyone that wearing sunglasses is not only fashionable, but it is also a health necessity.

Fatigue has always been a major issue in designing for transportation, particularly airplanes. This webinar presented three airplane failures from NTSB and British Ministry reports that were the result of fatigue: the DeHavilland Comets in 1954, Aloha 243 in 1988, and Southwest 1380 in 2018. It also included a brief discussion of fatigue and a fatigue failure of a box trailer from the NSL files.

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In this second installation of our Famous Failures webinar series, attendees learned about the role of heat in the failure of the steel in the World Trade Center buildings on September 11, 2001. This webinar featured Dave Kovarik, NSL Metallurgist and Failure Analyst, George Vander Voort, president of Vander Voort Consulting with 29 years of steel industry experience, and Jaren Stidd, a Metallurgical Technician for NSL.

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The pandemic affected professional lives in many ways, forcing us to confront unprecedented challenges and modify our activities. As the effects of the pandemic abate, we are beginning to realize that understanding resilience is at the heart of moving forward.

Stress corrosion cracking is a progressive cracking mechanism that can often lead to catastrophic failure. There have been several notable failures due to this phenomenon, such as the collapse of the Silver Bridge in December of 1967. Learn about this failure in the first webinar of our "Famous Failures" series, as well as the metallurgy behind it, with other examples.

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As part of our ongoing innovation initiative, NSL Analytical Services is proud to announce the expansion of our battery materials testing capabilities. Our comprehensive range of ISO 17025 accredited chemical and physical analysis services test materials in nearly all types of battery systems, from lead acid to lithium-ion.