Metal & Alloys Laboratory

In Metals & Alloys laboratory, we perform wet and spectro chemical analysis of metals and alloys, assess mechanical and metallurgical properties, measure coating thickness, and conduct corrosion and failure studies. Additionally, we use NDT techniques such as ultrasonic testing, radiography, and Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) for flaw detection, along with performance studies of appliances i.e LPG stove and pressure cookers. Our state-of-the-art Metal & Alloys Laboratory provide services to various industries like infrastructure, railways, automotive, electronics, aerospace and defense, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance.

Materials Tested:

• Ferrous Alloys: Carbon steel, Alloy Steel, Stainless Steel, Tool Steel etc.
• Ferro Alloys: Ferro Silicon, Ferro Manganese, Ferro chromium, Silico-manganese, Ferro-boron, Ferro molybdenum etc.
• Copper & its alloys
• Aluminum & its Alloys
• Magnesium & its Alloys
• Lead & its alloys
• Tin & its alloys
• Zinc & its alloys
• Nickel & its alloys
• Chromium & its alloys
• Cobalt & its alloys
• Titanium & its alloys
• Tungsten
• Precious Metals: Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, Silver & its alloys
• Rare Earth Metals

Types of Products Analyzed:

We offer analytical services for various ferrous & non-ferrous products i.e

Spectro-Chemical & Wet Chemical Analysis:

We have the state of art instrumentation facility apart from various chemical methods to determine material identification, Chemical Composition & grade conformation of material.

• Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS & VGA-AAS)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
• Spark OES

Mechanical Testing:

The laboratory has in-house facilities for sample preparation as per ASTM E8, ASTM A370 and IS 1608. Our laboratory is equipped to perform mechanical & metallurgical test parameters including:

• Tensile Properties: Yield Strength, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Elongation
• Hardness Testing: Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Micro vickers hardness
• Metallographic Analysis: Grain Size, Phase Identification, Inclusion Rating
• Fractography
• Impact Energy (Charpy Test/ Izod)
• Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for mechanical loading tests
• Flattening test
• Bend Test
• Rebend Test
• Hydrostatic pressure test
• Drift expansion test

Metallic & Non-Metallic Coatings:

We analyze various protective and decorative metallic & non-Metallic Coatings on ferrous, non-ferrous & polymers substrates:

Galvanized, Phosphate, Anodized, Nickel, Chromium, Copper, Gold, Silver, Tin, paint and Powder Coatings, organic coating, polymer coatings etc.

We conduct various test parameters in different coatings.

• Chemical Composition of coating
• Mass of zinc, tin & phosphate coating
• Coating Thickness
• Uniformity test of Zinc Coating
• Adhesion test of Zinc Coating

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):

Our NDT capabilities help in detection of internal flaws and casting defects without damaging the sample:

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
• Radiographic Testing (X-ray)
• Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)
• Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI)

Specialized Studies:

Our team conducts specialized studies and research activites such as:

• Failure Analysis of boiler tube & automobile components.
• Third party inspection, sampling & testing of DI Pipes
• Third party inspection, sampling & testing of MS Pipes
• Third party inspection, sampling & testing of open gym in parks
• NDT testing of weldment joints using DPI & Ultrasonic techniques
• Performance study of pressure cooker & LPG Stoves
• Migration/ Leachable study heavy metals (lead & cadmium) from SS utensils, EPNS wares, ceramic, glass, earthenware's & enamel wares etc.
• Study of heavy metals, i.e., Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Chromium^+6^ in ROHS materials
• Method development & validation of any new test parameter for any metallic products
• Reverse engineering of EV battery Cell & chemical characterization of anode, cathode, Separator material etc.
• Study of rare earth elements & trace metals in Neodymium magnet used in EV & electronic components.
• Custom Consultancy & R&D Projects

Patents:

Our department successfully delivered a solid state cleaner composition that has been developed in MMD, SRI. In this project our team has developed a product for the application of cleaning the hard deposits on offset printer's roller that is eco-friendly, cost-effective, easy to transport due to its solid composition. This technology has been patented.

The Minerals Testing laboratory plays a key role in supporting the minerals and ores industry by providing accurate and reliable compositional analysis. Lab. also contributes to the waste-to-wealth mission by recovering precious metals from battery black powder, spent catalyst and PCB boards. Additionally, the lab evaluates the corrosion inhibitor efficiency of VCI materials in crude oil for refinery applications. Our expert team uses internationally recognized protocols and state-of-the-art equipment to deliver data that empowers industries to meet regulatory and performance standards.

Testing Parameters for Mineral & Ore Analysis

At Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, our Mineral Testing Laboratory is equipped to conduct a wide range of comprehensive tests to ensure the quality and consistency of raw materials. We analyze various parameters crucial for industries such as cement, ceramics, metallurgy, and glass manufacturing. Below are the testing parameters we offer:

Chemical Composition & Oxides

• Moisture
• Loss on Ignition
• Iron Oxide (Fe₂O₃)
• Calcium Oxide (CaO)
• Sodium Oxide (Na₂O)
• Potassium Oxide (K₂O)
• Manganese Oxide (MnO)
• Magnesium Oxide (MgO)
• Zinc Oxide (ZnO)
• Silica (SiO₂)
• Alumina (Al₂O₃)
• Titania (TiO₂)
• Sulphates (SO₄)
• Phosphates (PO₄)
• Chloride (Cl)

Metals & Heavy Elements

• Boron
• Cobalt
• Arsenic (As)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Lead (Pb)
• Barium (Ba)
• Copper (Cu)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Chromium (Cr)
• Nickel (Ni)
• Zirconium (Zr)
• Selenium (Se)
• Fluorine (F)
• Molybdenum (Mo)
• Tellurium (Te)
• Carbon (C)
• Rare earth elements (REE)

Moisture & Thermal Properties

• Total Moisture
• Free Moisture
• Combined Water
• Thermal Shock Resistance
• Boil Test
• Thermal Conductivity

Physical Properties & Density

• Bulk Density
• Apparent Porosity
• Free Silica
• Free Lime
• Sieve Analysis / Particle size distribution
• Specific Gravity
• Dimensions

Surface & Structural Analysis

• Whiteness (Color/brightness)
• Oil Absorption (A measure of how much oil a material can absorb)
• Acidity (pH measurement)
• Alkalinity
• Friability (Resistance to wear)
• Gel Formation (Ability of material to form a gel)
• Swelling Power
• Attrition Loss (Loss due to wear)
• BET surface area
• Water Soluble Chloride in hardened mortar & concrete as per IS 14959-2
• Acid Soluble Chloride in hardened mortar & concrete as per IS 14959-2
• Acid Soluble Sulphate in aggregates as per IS BS EN 1744 Pt-1

Test Parameters in Inorganic Chemicals

Protocols Followed

Our laboratories conduct testing in compliance with globally recognized standards, ensuring the highest levels of precision, reproducibility, and regulatory alignment:

• ISO -- International Organization for Standardization
• IS -- Indian Standards (BIS)
• ASTM -- American Society for Testing and Materials
• MORTH specification