Hardness test in the materials laboratory

Destructive Testing

Make sure the materials work properly

Destructive Testing

Make sure the materials work properly

Destructive Testing

Make sure the materials work properly

Destructive Testing

Make sure the materials work properly

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Destructive Testing

Destructive testing of materials for verification in accordance with product requirements, or for research and development purposes

Material defects are not uncommon in the manufacture and development of components—but they have serious safety implications. Destructive testing is an essential part of quality assurance in many industries. Destructive testing is typically performed using standard tests to determine numerical values that characterize the material’s properties. In most cases, destructive testing renders the sample material unusable.

Benefits of Destructive Testing

Measure the mechanical properties of materials and welds to ensure compliance with requirements or to generate important data, e.g., for product development
Ensures safe structures and components
Examination and analysis of damaged components

Information on Destructive Testing of Materials

DEKRA has many years of experience in destructive testing of metal products and welds. Our experts perform mechanical tests to ensure that the material passes standard tests and meets the specified requirements. The core value of materials testing is to identify potential deviations in material quality during the manufacturing and certification phases, or potential issues related to material selection. This ultimately has a positive impact on the subsequent manufacturing chain and the quality or delivery of the final product.

Welds are a key factor in quality across many different industrial sectors, such as the construction of power plants and manufacturing facilities. Many standards (e.g., the Pressure Equipment Directive or the execution standard for steel and aluminum structures—EN 1090) require that the welding procedure and performance be approved in such a way that the specified quality can be ensured during welding. Testing the test specimens required for this purpose generally requires not only professional and cost-optimized execution but also the shortest possible processing time in the laboratory to prevent production downtime and waiting times. Thanks to many years of expertise, optimized processes, and state-of-the-art sample production and testing facilities, DEKRA’s laboratories offer ideal conditions for this.

Services For Destructive Testing

Whether it involves material specifications or welding inspection requirements, metals or other materials, DEKRA offers accredited testing in accordance with most industry standards.

Tensile test - verifying the joint and strength

The tensile test is a key method of destructive testing. In a tensile test, a tensile specimen is pulled in a tensile testing machine until it breaks. The tensile test can be used to determine the properties of a material
determines, among other things, the breaking strength (Rm), yield strength (Re), elongation (A), and reduction in area
(Z). We conduct tensile tests on various materials to ensure the quality of the welds.

Bending tests – evaluation of ductility and defect-free performance

There are various types of bending tests, the most common of which are surface, root, and side bending tests. A clear advantage of bending tests is their ability to reveal defects that may not be detected during non-destructive testing. We perform bending tests on materials and welds.

Impact test – indicates the toughness of the joint, i.e., its ability to resist crack propagation

The impact test measures the toughness of a joint, that is, its ability to resist crack propagation in the structure. In the test, a notched specimen is broken using a pendulum hammer, and the energy required to fracture the specimen is measured.

Toughness depends on temperature, and the impact test can be performed at several predetermined
at temperatures ranging from room temperature down to cryogenic temperatures as low as -196°C. Toughness is a particularly important property in structures that operate at low temperatures or under dynamic loads. Examples of such structures include pressure vessels, marine/offshore structures, and piping systems.

Hardness measurement - an indicator of microstructure

As the name suggests, hardness testing measures a material’s hardness and its ability to resist permanent deformation. The Vickers hardness testing method is generally used to ensure welding quality.

Other measurement and testing methods

Examination of the microstructure and macrostructure of materials and welds
Fracture test of welds

Ask our experts for more information

We are happy to assist you with any questions regarding material testing, analysis, and damage assessment. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

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