Laboratory Testing Services

At Ethos, we provide a broad range of testing services using state of the art industry leading instrumentation.  From metallurgical and mechanical testing to chemical analyses, we will customize a solution to meet your testing needs. We also offer witnessed testing and inspection hosting at our fully equipped analytical facility, located North of Houston.

Metallurgical Testing

Ethos is dedicated to providing high quality laboratory testing and metallurgical services to our clients.  The Lab has variable load hardness testing machines, as well as a variety of metallographic microscopes and stereoscopes to allow for in-depth microstructure analysis and qualification by our expert engineers and technicians. Ethos offers witnessed and third-party inspection testing capabilities, as well as rush/expedited services for your immediate testing needs. Ethos supports field replica testing for metallurgical microstructure evaluation on large or over-sized equipment that must be evaluated in-situ. We also perform standard and custom metallurgical testing and qualification, including ASME Section VIII, ASME Section IX, NACE MR0103, NACE MR0175, ISO-15156, and other client-specific testing qualification criteria. Reference Specifications include ASTM E3, ASTM E1920, ASTM E407, ASTM E340, ASTM E883, ASTM E112, ASTM E45, ASTM E1077, ASTM E1268, ASTM A247, ASTM E562, ASTM B487 ASTM E2109, and ASTM E562. Feel free to speak with one of our experts and request a detailed work estimate for your upcoming metallurgical testing needs.

Hardness Testing

Ethos can provide variable load hardness testing as low as 10gram Vickers and Knoop (micro-hardness testing), in addition to Rockwell B/C and related scales (macro-hardness testing), and large part/in-situ Pin Brinell hardness testing (macro-hardness). We can also perform Durometer (Shore A & D) hardness testing for various polymers. Ethos can provide our hardness testing capabilities in the field or onsite for our clients. We can custom design a hardness testing survey on a variety of sample surfaces, and with multiple techniques to comply with any industry or client required qualification/specification program. Reference Specifications include ASTM E18, ASTM E92, ASTM E384, ASTM B578, and ASTM D2240.

Microscopy

Ethos offers state-of-the-art technology to our clients to aide in all microscopic examinations. We have both Metallographs and Stereoscopes that will capture microscopic images that are needed for your materials analysis. Ethos employs a Hitachi SU3500 Premium Variable Pressure SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) to examine numerous types of samples with clarity and high magnification. The SU3500 features innovative electron optics and signal detection systems with new proprietary Hex Bias electron gun circuitry, affording unparalleled imaging and analytical performance, as well as 3D image rendering, for unsurpassed image clarity even in a low voltage/low vacuum environment. Ethos offers high-resolution imaging and elemental EDS and micro XRF analyses that are utilized in our witnessed testing and multi-party inspections. Ethos offers multiple view windows and large screen display for imaging and analysis on the SEM in a group setting that allows everyone to be part of the action.

Analytical Chemistry

Ethos offers a suite of analytical chemical analyses, including Optical Emission Spectroscopy on the gold-standard of the industry Thermo/ARL 3460 for quantitative elemental analysis of Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and Nickel (Ni) based metallic materials. Powder X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) is also offered for clients of Ethos on the world’s most recognized diffractometer, the Rigaku MiniFlex, for detailed identification of crystallographic phases and determination for quantitative whole pattern fitting. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is another powerful technique offered at Ethos that allows for phase and compound identification of hydrocarbon based materials, aided by the intelligent ATR crystal optics on the Thermo Nicolet iS5 for ultimate resolution of overlapping signals. Elemental analysis by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) are yet other techniques that Ethos can offer, aided by the Hitachi SU3500 SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope)and the highly sensitive and accurate iXRF EDS detector and 10 micron micro XRF probe. Ethos can also offer a variety of other chemical analysis services, that can be quoted upon request. Reference Specifications include ASTM E415, ASTM E1086, ASTM E1999, ASTM E2209, ASTM E2047, ASTM E1508, ASTM E168, and ASTM E1252.

Tribology Testing (UMT)

Ethos has the capability to perform many tribology tests aided by the UMT (Universal Mechanical Tester), including both dry and lubricated testing types, and even at elevated temperatures. We can perform block-on-ring (BOR), rotating tests (Pin-On-Disk, Pin-On-Side-On-Disk, Ball-On-Disk), reciprocating rotating tests, linear reciprocating tests (Pin, Pin-On-Side, Ball), taber testing, scratch testing, and many other varied types. We can also test a variety of dry and lubricated sample materials, such as metal, organic coatings, polymers, inorganic coatings, metallic coatings, or any other type sample that can be machined to fit testing fixtures for Coefficient of Friction testing, wear, erosion, abrasion, galling, or other surface interaction testing. Ethos boasts a special focus and attention to tribology and wear testing. Ethos maintains membership in the ASTM G02 committee, and has perfected years of innovation and experience in tribology testing on a variety of coupon specimen types. Standard testing like ASTM G65, G105, B611,  G98, G99, G133, G195, G171, and C1624 are all routine services for coupons up to 250 grams, both wet and dry conditions.

Mechanical Testing

Ethos offers a variety of industry standard and required mechanical testing options to suit testing specifications and qualification guidelines. Ethos’ in-house sectioning ability allows for a fluid transition from initial sample analysis to final mechanical and metallurgical testing in one easy flow particularly for Fitness For Service (FFS) testing, ASME Section VIII Pressure Vessel testing, and ASME  Section IX Weld Qualification testing. Reference Specifications include ASTM E8, ASTM A370, ASTM C633, ASTM B571, ASTM E190, ASTM E290, ASTM G98, ASTM B311, API 5CT, API 5L, and API 6A.

Advanced Sample Sectioning & Metallurgical Preparation

Ethos has a full metallurgical specimen cutting, mounting, and polishing preparation lab to assist in creating the perfect testing sample for every need. With multiple wet and dry cutting, grinding and polishing methods available, Ethos can ensure that from small to oversized specimens, the preparation for testing can be done with high precision and accuracy. Our Sodick A325 Wire EDM and both horizontal and vertical bandsaws allows us to provide precision cross-sectioning. Multiple variable pressure- automated polisher/grinder units enable repeatable metallurgical finish on every specimen with great time efficiency. We are proficient in preparing a wide variety of materials for metallurgical polishing and cross-section analysis, from 1.25″ diameter samples to specialty samples up to 8″ across. We at Ethos have polished many metallic materials for our clients, including; HVOF and Thermal Spray Coatings, Cast Iron, Steel, Nickel, Super Alloys, Nickel Coatings, Nitride Coatings, Copper and Copper Alloys, Aluminum, Titanium, Carbides (many types/forms), Chrome and Chrome Coatings, and Tungsten. Ethos has also polished many non-metallic materials, including; Plastics, Polymers, Carbon Fiber, and even Nylon Rope. Our facility is also capable of performing cross-sectional grinding and lapping on diamond (PCD/PDC) inserts designed for downhole bits. Reference Specifications include ASTM E3 and ASTM E1920.

Custom Corrosion Testing and Analysis

Ethos provides support for industry and litigation clients with a wide variety of corrosion testing methods.  We perform standardized (ASTM, NACE, ISO) as well as custom testing to look at a wide variety of material properties and environment compatibility.  We perform testing to qualify materials for service in the Oil and Gas industry such as Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC, NACE TM0284) and Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC, NACE TM0177).  We perform testing to determine materials’ susceptibility to attack (ASTM B117 Salt Fog, ASTM G31, ASTM G48, ASTM A262, and ASTM A923).  We also perform proprietary client-developed corrosion testing techniques on a regular basis. With our combined experience in performing corrosion testing and chemical analysis, we are uniquely equipped to perform corrosion analysis for our clients.  We routinely examine many types of corrosion damage including:  pitting, generalized corrosion, erosion corrosion, galvanic corrosion, MIC – microbially induced corrosion, aqueous sulfide (H2S) corrosion, corrosion fatigue, Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC), Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC), Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC),  and Crevice Corrosion.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

Ethos can also perform Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on samples either as individual tests or to support your material qualification and/or destructive testing protocols. Our facility offers Visual Examination, Liquid Dye Penetrant (LDP) testing, both Wet and Dry Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), and Ultrasonic Testing (UT) services, as well as Surface Finish/Roughness testing. Ethos also performs Magnetic Permeablility (MP) testing via the Severn Gauge technique for testing alterations to non-magnetic stainless welds. Reference Specifications include ASTM E2109, ASTM E433, ASTM E165, ASTM E1219, ASTM E1417, ASTM E1220, ASTM E1418, ASTM E024, ASTM E125, ASTM E709, ASTM E1444, ASTM A275, ASTM E2297, ASTM A802, ASTM A342, and ASME Section IX.