Thermatool Labs Materials Engineering
With proven performance in high frequency welding technologies for over 60 years, Thermatool has the process knowledge, tools, and capabilities to provide specialized materials analysis for HF weld and heat treated samples. From HF weld metallurgical assessment to thorough research and weld optimization and heat treating studies, our materials engineering lab investigates your process to identify critical contributing variables to weld quality and the most significant areas of process improvement for your mill and your product.
Take advantage of Thermatool’s extensive process knowledge (in HF welding, post weld heat treating, and quenching experience) and materials engineering expertise to make your mill as productive as possible.
Weld Quality
- HF Weld HAZ Characterization
- Dimensional Analysis
- Edge Presentation
- Forming Dynamics
- Identify Weld Defects
- HF Weld HAZ Hardness
- Macroscopic Inspection
- Metallographic Examination
- Process Parameter Review
- Material Chemistry
- ASTM Grade Review
Process Evaluation
- Process Optimization – Recommendations
- Mill Setup
- HF Weld Area Setup
- HF Welder Recipe
- Material Characteristics
- Process Troubleshooting – Conclusions
- Process Improvement Recommendations
- Process Validation (If Required)
Materials Characterization
Metallurgical
- Sample Preparation
- Chemical Analysis
- Digital Photography (Micro and Macro)
- Image Analysis
- Macroscopic Examination
- Metallographic Examination (sample prep, exam, photos)
- Microscopic Examination
- Elemental Analysis
- SEM/XRD
Mechanical
- Flaring/ Flattening
- Hardness Testing (Rockwell, Brinell)
- Microhardness Testing
- Fatigue Testing
- Fracture Toughness
- Charpy
- Residual Stress Measurement
- Tensile Testing (UTS, YS, Elongation)
Report with:
- Summary of analytical methods
- Results and discussion
- Recommendations for process improvement or corrective actions
HF Welding Training
Basic Principles:
- Basic Steel Metallurgy
- Advanced Steel Metallurgy
- Non-ferrous Metallurgy
- HF Weld Variables & Optimization
- Advanced HF Welding Methods
- HF Welding for Special Alloys
- HF Weld Metallurgy
- Basics of Steel Heat Treating
- Post Weld Heat Treatment
- Full Body Heat Treatment
- API Standards
Sample Assessment:
- HF Weld Characterization
- HF Weld Defects and Troubleshooting
Research Studies
- Test HF Welding Coupons – Development and Prove Out of Material Weldability
- Induction Heating Recipe Creation and Optimization
- Weld Simulation
- Heat Treat Simulation
- Quench Simulation
Representative Case Studies:
- Weld Analysis to determine weld parameters for new alloy composition
- Post Weld Heat Treating study to determine seam annealing target temperature
- Induction Tempering study to compare induction and furnace tempered sample properties
- Process efficiency study for scrap reduction methods