Spectrographic Collaborates with Mitutoyo in Sheffield Hallam Research Project to Install Micro Hardness Tester
Leeds (PRWEB UK) 16 October 2013 -- Spectrographic specialises in metallographic products and equipment for material science analysis and was responsible for installing the new Mitutoyo hardness tester at Sheffield Hallam University as well as training the Thin Films Research team in its use.
The Thin Films Centre is dedicated to the study and use of functional coatings for various applications such as hardness and corrosion resistance or high temperature oxidation resistance applications and coatings for novel and innovative devices, including solar cells and magnetic devices.
The Mitutoyo Micro Hardness Tester HM-221 is being used in the research of plasma vapour deposited surface coatings by the Thin Films Research Centre, which is part of The Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI).
“Spectrographic specialises in working with higher education institutions,” explained Paul Chippendale, Managing Director of Spectrographic. “We have supported the Thin Film Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University for over ten years, supplying metallographic testing equipment and training. Naturally, we were excited to work with the experts at Mitutoyo, whose products are renowned for their quality and precision.”
Mitutoyo’s range of hardness testers come equipped with high specification optical systems, which offer an extended magnification range designed for the measurement of the smallest indentations. The series’ load cell technology allows complete control of test parameters, offering a load range from 0.5 to 2,000 grams.
The HM-221 hardness tester features an electromagnetic force motor, which offers the most appropriate test force for the specimen material. Its magnification range and working distance of objectives is exceptional, which not only reduces the possibility of collision between the specimen and the objective during focusing, but makes indentations clearly visible, leading to less variation and reducing the chance of error.
“When Sheffield Hallam University needed to upgrade their hardness testing equipment, we were delighted to supply a machine from our new range of micro hardness testing machines,” said Graham Jarrett, Technical Sales Representative at Mitutoyo (UK). “The commission involved replacing an existing Mitutoyo hardness tester, which had been in place for over ten years.”
About Spectrographic Limited
Spectrographic Limited is a family-run business, which provides a comprehensive range of new and refurbished metallographic products, equipment and consumables for material science analysis and quality inspection procedures. The company offers specialist advice in material sample preparation, computer based image analysis and microscopic inspection.
Founded in 1999, Spectrographic was set up and continues to be run by Managing Director, Paul Chippendale – a skilled metallographer with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. The company is based in Baildon, West Yorkshire, with demonstration laboratories in Bradford, Halifax and Sheffield. Spectrographic has recently embarked on a new partnership with The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to set up a facility to support material science in advanced engineering.
Spectrographic's customers are expert metallurgists working in the automotive, oil and gas and aerospace industries and for higher and further education establishments in the UK and Internationally. Clients include Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, Siemens, Tata Steel, The University of Oxford, The University of Manchester, The University of Sheffield, DEKRA Industrial, Massey University (New Zealand) and The University of the South Pacific (Fiji).
Paul Chippendale, Spectrographic Limited, http://www.metallography.co.uk, +44 1274966173, [email protected]
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