Laboratory Testing Inc. Article in Forge Magazine


HATFIELD, PA –  An article entitled "Commercial Testing of Forgings" by Eric Aparnieks, outside sales representative at Laboratory Testing Inc., was published in the October 2015 edition of Forge magazine. The article discusses the importance of verifying the quality of forged materials, as well as the multitude of material testing performed to ensure strength, reliability and resistance to shock and fatigue. 



Principal mechanical properties of interest within the forging industry remain constant over the years and include strength, ductility and hardness. There are various types of tests performed, both destructive and non-destructive, to verify mechanical properties, as well as analyze material characteristics and identify flaws or defects for forging manufacturers and the varied businesses served by the forging industry.



In his article, Eric also writes about the demands from customers who buy forgings and how these demands are always changing. The result is revisions to existing materials and development of a wide variety of new products, often made by new processes. New material testing requirements often follow to verify properties and characteristics.



Eric discusses the types of testing most commonly utilized within the forging industry, including a range of services in the following categories:



  • Chemical Analysis


  • Mechanical Testing


  • Nondestructive Testing


  • Metallography


In his position, Eric is available to service some of LTI's larger client accounts while providing customers with personal attention. Eric's sales experience spans over 35 years working with a wide-range of industry segments, including aerospace, military/defense, automotive, medical and marine. He has earned an AS degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Milwaukee Area Technical College and a BS in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University.



LTI, a Nadcap and A2LA accredited commercial testing laboratory, performs comprehensive testing on the basic metals (steel, aluminum, copper, titanium and nickel) used to produce forged products. The full-service lab also confirms that forged material meets customer requirements and applicable specifications. The lab performs mechanical tests such as hardness, tensile, charpy, fracture toughness and bend testing, as well as instrumental and wet chemistry services, to verify mechanical properties and characteristics of the materials. The laboratory's non-destructive testing staff inspects forgings for flaws using radiography, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection and liquid penetrant testing. Complete metallurgical testing and failure analysis are also offered. 



ABOUT Laboratory Testing Inc. -- Laboratory Testing Inc. (LTI) of Hatfield, PA is a family-owned independent testing and metrology laboratory in business since 1984. The laboratory offers materials testing and analysis services including mechanical, chemical, metallurgical and corrosion testing, nondestructive testing, root cause failure analysis, calibration services, dimensional inspection and test specimen machining. All test and inspection results are provided in certified reports. The laboratory specializes in metal and polymer testing, but also analyzes powdered metals, ores, ferroalloys, composites and ceramics. LTI is accredited by the PRI Nadcap program in materials and nondestructive testing and by A2LA to ISO/IEC 17025 for mechanical, metallurgical and chemical testing, dimensional inspection and calibration services. LTI Metrology, a division of Laboratory Testing Inc., provides dimensional inspection services and NIST-traceable calibration services for measuring hand tools, masters and a wide-range of measuring instruments and equipment. On-site calibration, repairs, new instruments and replacement parts are offered. Information on Laboratory Testing services and accreditations is available at www.labtesting.com,  sales@labtesting.com or 800-219-9095.


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