Quality in the stainless steel and forging industry is not a product of chance. It is the result of clearly defined processes, standard-compliant tests and an in-depth understanding of material behavior.
Testing plays a central role in this. It forms the interface between material, process and customer requirements and provides a reliable basis for decisions on production and release.
In an interview with Daniel Prodinger, Head of Testing in the Quality Assurance & Technology department, it becomes clear how microscopy, the test room and sample preparation are interlinked and why these areas are indispensable for process reliability and customer confidence.
Testing at Breitenfeld comprises three closely interlinked areas: microscopy, test room and sample preparation. The aim is to systematically test products in accordance with specifications and international standards under defined conditions.
This is not just about formal proof of quality for the customer. The data obtained is also used for internal further development - both in terms of materials and processes.
Material parameters are determined, documented and interpreted using destructive tests or visual assessments. In this way, deviations are detected at an early stage and targeted improvement measures are made possible.
Conclusion: Testing is not an isolated test step, but a central component of continuous quality development
Metallographic microscopy is a key analysis and decision-making tool. It provides insights into the internal structure of the material that are not accessible using conventional mechanical testing methods.
Microstructure analyses provide information about
These characteristics significantly influence strength, toughness, forming and corrosion behavior. Microscopy provides cause-related findings, particularly in the case of deviations from mechanical parameters, UT indications or in damage analysis.
To ensure reproducible and standard-compliant results, sample preparation is standardized and automated. Clear evaluation methods, modern analysis technology and structured documentation ensure traceability and interpretability.
Conclusion: Microscopy creates transparency about material conditions and forms the basis for well-founded root cause analyses.
Classic destructive material tests are carried out in the test room, including tensile tests, notched bar impact tests and hardness tests. All tests are carried out using calibrated test equipment and are documented in accordance with standards.
International standards such as ISO, EN or ASTM standards as well as customer-specific specifications are binding. They ensure the comparability of the results and are also legally and economically relevant.
Special challenges arise with high-strength materials. These already require increased effort in sample production. They are also more sensitive to measurement deviations, exhibit lower elongation and show greater anisotropy in their properties. The testing effort increases accordingly.
The results from the test room are decisive for production approvals. Further processing or delivery is only possible once all characteristic values meet the specifications.
Conclusion: The test room provides an objective, standards-based decision-making basis for quality and delivery capability.
A reliable test is only as good as the sample on which it is based. Sample preparation is therefore a critical success factor.
The position and direction of sampling - such as the edge, core or sampling direction - have a significant influence on the validity of the results.
Standardized sample preparation includes
Deviations in these steps inevitably lead to falsified results. Typical sources of error such as inattention, stress or insufficient experience are minimized through training, the dual control principle and clear work instructions.
Conclusion: Sample preparation forms the foundation of the entire quality assurance process.
Testing is closely networked with production and quality management.
In day-to-day business, the exchange is direct and pragmatic, supplemented by test plans and regular quality meetings. Depending on the situation, the team is also in direct contact with customers - in person, by telephone or in writing.
A practical example shows the added value of this collaboration: in the case of a customer complaint due to a component breakage, extensive metallographic and destructive testing proved that the material complied with standards. The cause lay in design weaknesses and a sub-optimal choice of material. The analysis thus provided a sound basis for a sustainable solution.
Conclusion: Testing acts as an active problem solver and technical contact.
Current developments in materials testing are increasingly characterized by automation and the use of artificial intelligence.
The aim is to make testing processes more efficient and use resources in a targeted manner.
At the same time, quality assurance is changing from a pure control step at the end of the value chain to a strategic core process.
Quality means that products reliably meet all specified requirements and enable long-term partnerships based on a solid foundation of trust.
Testing, microscopy, test room and sample preparation are not isolated units at Breitenfeld, but integral components of a holistic understanding of quality.
They not only ensure compliance with standards, but also create transparency, process reliability and sustainable customer benefits.