Client Information
Staffordshire-based Failure Characterisation Consultancy (FCC) has been working with scientists at VIN technology servicesTM, a business gateway to the University of Birmingham’s technology and expertise. Together they have developed a low-cost sorting procedure for the identification of contributory species in the degradation of construction materials in nuclear power generation. Their approach will enable a more cost effective use of resource that will contribute the development of more robust materials.
FCC specialises in the analysis of degradation in metallic materials that result in cracks, leaks or failure that might impact on safety and plant availability.
Client Needs
Noel Peat, owner of FCC said: “We work across a range of industries including petrochemical and the nuclear industry, and have more than thirty years experience in material and failure characterisation.
“For some studies it is necessary to examine materials and faults on the scale of a few nanometres. Techniques to perform such studies can be expensive and time consuming. In an effort to reduce the number of samples examined in a large corrosion test matrix, lower resolution and simpler techniques were sought.
Consideration was given to the application of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FEGSEM) and associated microanalysis spectrometers at Birmingham University. Using instrument operating conditions that rigorously pushed the spatial and analytical resolution of the instrumentation we developed procedures that would enable the detection and mapping of the distribution of impurities within laboratory-induced cracks that previously required the application of costly and time-consuming preparation techniques and the application of the more expensive Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopy. To our knowledge our approach has not been reported previously.
However, the cost of the advanced technology and expertise needed to operate it, meant that we could not advance our research without additional support.”
What We Did
FCC approached VIN technology services™ for expertise, funding and access to the University’s FEASEM microscope to run tests and push the limits of what the technology can be used for.
Gino Bellavia, Business Manager for VIN said: “FCC is really leading the way in advanced failure characterisation. By working closely with our scientists and using the advanced technology available at the University we were able to develop a solution quickly and cost-effectively.”
FCC is now working with customers across the world to identify faults and cracks in high-risk materials using the new system to improve accuracy.
For further information on Failure Characterisation Consultancy or how VIN technology services™ might benefit your business, contact 0121 414 5070 or info@vin.bham.ac.uk |
