I am the manager of a metallurgical lab for a large handtool manufacturer. It is the only lab the company currently has and we service all 6 of our plants for a wide variety of job requests including: failure analysis, raw material auditing (surface quality check, mechanical properties, coating weight, etc.), bulk chemical analysis, microhardness/hardness testing, corrosion testing (water fog and salt spray), plating analysis (composition, thickness, etc.), metallographic evaluation (structure, etc.). We work with low carbon alloy steels, stainless steels, tool steels, aluminum alloys and powdered metallurgy samples. Periodically, we receive welded samples as well for analysis of weld integrity.
Our microscopes consist of a Zeiss Axiovert 200MAT light microscope with max magnification of 2500x and a stereoscope with max magnification 50x.
I am considering submitting a proposal to my bosses hopefully leading to the eventual purchase of an SEM with EDS. Based on the various requests and array of testing techniques mentioned above, I was wondering if I could get some help on what strong selling points I could add to this proposal. What are some other important uses the SEM/EDS could deliver? Obviously, failure analysis would be greatly assisted by the SEM and the EDS would be used a lot for the plating analyses.
At this time, we are sending lots of samples out for EDS. Most of the failure analysis is done in-house using the equipment we have but the conclusions would clearly be more accurate with the aid of SEM. Occasionally, we have to send samples to an outside lab for SEM and it's not cheap.
Due to cost, I'm considering either a Hitachi TM-1000 or TM-3000 both with EDS capability.
I would really appreciate any advice.
Thank you.
Our microscopes consist of a Zeiss Axiovert 200MAT light microscope with max magnification of 2500x and a stereoscope with max magnification 50x.
I am considering submitting a proposal to my bosses hopefully leading to the eventual purchase of an SEM with EDS. Based on the various requests and array of testing techniques mentioned above, I was wondering if I could get some help on what strong selling points I could add to this proposal. What are some other important uses the SEM/EDS could deliver? Obviously, failure analysis would be greatly assisted by the SEM and the EDS would be used a lot for the plating analyses.
At this time, we are sending lots of samples out for EDS. Most of the failure analysis is done in-house using the equipment we have but the conclusions would clearly be more accurate with the aid of SEM. Occasionally, we have to send samples to an outside lab for SEM and it's not cheap.
Due to cost, I'm considering either a Hitachi TM-1000 or TM-3000 both with EDS capability.
I would really appreciate any advice.
Thank you.