Microscopy

KEMA makes analysis crystal clear. Showing as much as possible as fast as possible using the perfect balance between new and proven analysis techniques

For condition assessment, (remaining) life assessment, failure analysis and expert opinions KEMA possesses a well equipped microscopy laboratory to achieve crystal clear analysis to support conceived plain conclusions and advices.

The focus is on gas turbine materials, high-temperature fireside corrosion and aging of applied materials in high-temperature high-pressure critical components.

Sample preparation by:

• warm or cold embedding

• rubbing, polishing and etching

• vacuum evaporation.

Light microscope with image processing for:

• corrosion analysis

• metal decomposition

• air bubbles in concrete

• gamma-prime precipitation in gas turbine materials

• coating layer thickness measurements

• sulfur and pore content in corrosion skins.

Special light microscopy applications:

• DICOM - Double Interference Contrast Optical Microscopy

• microbiological preparation assessment

• plastic analysis of plugs and cables

• glass-fiber reinforced plastics

• biological sample preparation and analysis

• additional stereo-microscopy and macro-photography.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM):

• secondary electron (SE) detector for surface visualization

• “back-scattered” electron detector for material contrast

• quantitative and qualitative X-ray micro-analysis (EDS, WDS) for the determination of element distribution and mapping of coatings

• full spectral imaging: acquisition of 1,000 to 10,000 pixels per second

• spectral image processing with KEMphase to picture elements and compounds.

Replicas: analysis of on-site samples
It is not always possible to take samples away for laboratory analysis. In these cases prints –replicas– are made just below the surface. This technique belongs to the class of non-destructive analysis techniques. In addition to replica analysis for common materials KEMA also performs 3D replica analysis of prints of surfaces that are hard to access, like cooling channels of gas turbine blades.