Your challenge

Characterization of new coatings

Coatings are used for a wide range of purposes, depending on the material and application. For example, coating can prevent rust or degradation from environmental exposure or reduce surface damage due to friction, scratching, or impact. Coating properties can be enhanced by changing composition or process parameters. New type of coatings are also invented if existing ones cannot keep up with the demands of modern technologies, environments, and materials. Characterizing coatings is essential because the coatings must fulfil the standards for operation. Without proper characterization, a coating might look fine but fail prematurely, which could lead to serious consequences.

Our solution 1

Synchrotron CT for Defects Analysis of Additively Manufactured Materials

Our imaging expertise enables us to detect defects such as cracks or pores in additively manufactured materials . Using high-resolution synchrotron computed tomography (CT), we can gain detailed insights into the shape and size distribution of the defects. This method provides an exact three-dimensional representation of the defects and where they are located, allowing weak points to be precisely located and analyzed.

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Porosity Analysis using Synchrotron CT data

Our solution 2

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction for phases characterization in the coatings

Our expertise in diffraction allows us to characterize phases in thin layers. Besides, the preferred orientations, grain size and macrostrain and interface quality can also be analyzed. Using Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction to characterize coatings is incredibly useful because it offers unmatched precision, depth, and sensitivity—especially important when dealing with thin layers, complex structures, or buried interfaces.

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Phase Characterization

These customers trust our expertise

Testimonials

Success stories

Lincotek Additive has been working on improvements in the AM process for some 15 years, drawing on the expertise of a team with a deep understanding of metallurgy, additive processing and design. Reactive metals, such as titanium, produce specific challenges, and high-temperature heat treatments involve a great deal of complexity. Lincotek Additive is mastering these challenges, resulting in best-in-class scrap rates and high reliability in our production processes.

To the customer project

By using the advanced analytics of ANAXAM, Lincotek Additive gets a deeper insight and understanding about SLM-processed high temperature materials.”
Dr. Thomas Etter, Expert and Senior Engineer, Lincotek Additive

CondenZero was founded 2019 as a spin-off company of the Laboratory for Quantum Matter Research of the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Our field of expertise includes the development and production of scientific instruments and components for research applications in ultra-high vacuum and cryogenic conditions.

By using the advanced analytics of ANAXAM, Lincotek Additive gets a deeper insight and understanding about SLM-processed high temperature materials.”

Dr. Thomas Etter, Expert and Senior Engineer, Lincotek Additive

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Let’s discuss your challenge

Dr. Cynthia Chang

Projektmanagerin

E-Mail

cynthia.chang@anaxam.ch

Telefon

+41 56 552 40 04

FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions

Neutron diffraction is a powerful technique for measuring residual stresses in additive-manufactured (AM) parts. It provides non-destructive, bulk stress analysis by penetrating deep into the material. Whether neutron diffraction is a suitable method depends on the material composition, part size, and crystal structure. Here’s a breakdown of the types of AM parts suitable for neutron diffraction residual stress analysis:

1. Material Types

Metals and Alloys: Neutron diffraction works best with crystalline materials. Common AM metals suitable for analysis include:
- Stainless steels (e.g., 316L)
- Titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V)
- Nickel-based superalloys (e.g., Inconel 718)
Ceramics: Some ceramic parts with a crystalline structure can also be measured.
Composites: Metallic matrix composites with distinct phases can be analyzed

2. Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF): Common in aerospace and medical applications—typically prone to residual stresses due to rapid thermal cycling.
Electron Beam Melting (EBM): Suitable for high-temperature materials like titanium alloys, which can exhibit internal stresses.
Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Useful for large-scale components; neutron diffraction can reveal stress gradients across builds.

3. Geometrical Considerations

Part Size: Neutron diffraction can penetrate several centimeters (5–30 mm) into most metals, making it suitable for bulkier components.
Complex Geometries: With precise alignments, Stresses in intricate or internal geometries can be analyzed

4. Practical Considerations

Grain Structure: Fine-grained structures give better diffraction signals. Coarse-grained materials may need texture correction.
Resolution: Depends on the measured gauge volume.

Residual stress can be measured using neutron diffraction because neutrons, being deeply penetrating, allow for non-destructive measurements of stresses inside a material.

Residual stress affects the spacing between atomic planes (called the d-spacing) in a crystalline material. Neutron diffraction measures these spacings using Bragg's Law:

nλ=2dsin⁡θ

λ: Wavelength of the incident neutron beam
d: Interplanar spacing
θ: Bragg angle (measured during the experiment)
If there's stress in the material, it changes d, which in turn shifts θ. Measuring this shift lets you calculate the strain and then stress.

Deep Penetration into Materials
Non-Destructive
3D Stress Analysis
Direct measurement, no sample preparation required
Suitable for Complex Geometries
Applicable to a Wide Range of Materials

Additive manufacturing (like selective laser melting or electron beam melting) builds parts layer by layer, involving rapid heating and cooling. This causes: