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Our equipment

Clients for who we work for are at the top of quality and innovation. It is crucial for Metallo-Tests to work with equipment at the cutting edge of technology. We do our best to develop and purchase the most modern equipment in order to offer to our clients an absolute precision in all our tests. Discover below a non-exhaustive list of our main equipment.

Chemical analysis

GC-MS with EI detection & CI detection + Headspace

These gas chromatography devices allow the analysis of organic substances extracted from samples such as plasticizers, flame retardants, etc. They are coupled to a mass detector (MS). The Headspace part makes it possible to determine the presence of organo-volatile compounds (VOC) degassed from the sample according to the chosen temperature.

Equipment: SHIMADZU QP2010 ULTRA et QP2010 ULTRA + HS20
Certification: Yes
FT-IR spectrometer with ATR cell (Silvergate or Ge)
The FT-IR spectrometer makes it possible to characterize the chemical family of the sample (rubbers, glues, varnishes, etc.) using a spectrum obtained by absorbance of infrared light. The resulting spectrum is generated based on the functional groups of the analyzed material.
Equipment: SHIMADZU IR Prestige 21
Certification: No
ICP-OES Spectrometer

This device allows the determination of trace elements of the periodic table that are soluble in an aqueous medium. The detection threshold reaches the threshold of the PPB according to the matrix.

Equipment: Shimadzu ICPE-9000
Certification: Yes
UV-VIS Spectrometer with an integration sphere
This device allows the determination of organic compounds or colored metal solutions by absorption in the UV-VIS range (220 to 800 nm). The integrating sphere makes it possible to accurately determine the color described in the LAB space.
Equipment: Shimadzu UV-2600
Certification: Yes
HPLC with UV detection (Ionique Chromatography )
This liquid phase chromatography device allows the detection of ions after separation on a column, typically the determination of Cr+VI for example.
Equipment: SHIMADZU UPLC NEXERA X2
Certification: Yes
HPLC with DAD detector or MS-MS detector

These liquid phase chromatography devices allow the analysis of organic substances via a Diode Array detector or via a dual mass detector MS-MS. This method of analysis makes it possible to quantify, for example, pesticides, dyes, fluorinated compounds, for example.

Equipment: SHIMADZU UPLC NEXERA X2 + LCMS 8050
Certification: Yes

Material characterisation

Field Effect Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-FEG)
This very powerful electron microscope makes it possible to observe samples on the surface with a resolution of the order of 10 nm. It also makes it possible to isolate inclusions within metallic and non-metallic surfaces and/or matrices as well as to measure their size and distribution. It also makes it possible to measure the coating thickness and to determine their chemical composition with a resolution of around 50 to 100 nm. This SEM also makes it possible to establish a 3D surface profile (topology) in order to obtain with precision the quality of surface finish on 1×1 micron.
Standard:
Equipment: Zeiss MERLIN-VP
Certification: Yes
EDX detector
This detector makes it possible in a non-destructive way to analyze with an accuracy of around 0.5% the chemical composition of surfaces (contamination, pollution, encrustations, stains, etc.).
Standard:
Equipment: OXFORD
Certification: Yes
HV and HK micro-hardness tester with loads from 10 g to 10 kg

This device automatically measures with precision the microhardness on the surface or on microsection of metallic and hard materials (sapphire, ceramic and cermet) with loads ranging from 10 g to 10 kg. It has two types of indenters (Vickers and Koop). It also makes it possible to produce hardness profiles (thermochemical surface treatment, thermally disturbed zone during laser welding, etc.).

Standard: ISO6507-1, ISO4516 & ISO4545
Equipment: DURASCAN 80
Certification: Yes
Microscope métallurgique

This equipment, equipped with a camera and via the Stream© software from Olympus, makes it possible to characterize the grain size, the metallographic examination as well as the inclusion rate by image analysis. It also makes it possible to measure the coating thickness on microsection from a thickness of 1 micron.

Standard: ISO643, ASTM E-112, EN10247 & ISO1463
Equipment: OLYMPUS
Certification: Yes

Climatic stress test

Climatic chambers DM340 with UV source
Climatic heat chamber (-40°C to +180°C) with gradient of 5°C/min in the event of a cycle, humidity (0% to 98% RH) and under solar radiation (metal halides).
Standard: NIHS 96-50, EN 60068-2-67
Equipment: Angelotoni
Certification: Yes
Spray chambers (Salt mist and Artificial sweat)
Aerosol corrosion chamber (salt spray, artificial sweat) in sequential or continuous spraying with the possibility of adapting the formulations of the solutions used.
Standard: ISO9227, ISO12870, NIHS 96-50
Equipment: Internal
Certification: Yes
Ovens ensuring temperatures from -20°C to +300°C

Ovens for carrying out thermal shocks, aging at temperature and/or in saturated gaseous media (Diiodomethane, etc.)

Standard:
Equipment: Binder
Certification: Yes
Equipment for discharging cells/batteries

Equipment for performing discharge curves (discharge capacity) of button batteries, individually up to 10 pieces simultaneously.

Standard: IEC60086
Equipment: Arbin BT2000
Certification: No

Mechanical stress test

Approval/aging of leather, rubber and metal straps
Test sequence to reproduce mechanical stresses as closely as possible to the conditions of wear. The test sequence is defined either by the customer or in collaboration with the laboratory and its experience. Tests such as traction/torsion dry or in contact with artificial sweat (ISO and/or acid), alternate movements on the wrist, disordered movements, traction/flexion, vibrations, etc. are applied to bracelets.
Standard: Internal
Equipment: Internal machinery
Certification: Yes
Homologation/aging clasp
Aging cycles of the clasp functions with measurement of the evolution of the initial parameters (force, torque, dimensions) according to the number of cycles applied.
Standard: Internal
Equipment: Internal machinery
Certification: Yes
Homologation/aging of loops and in the pin buckles of leather and rubber straps

Aging cycles to reproduce on leather and rubber straps the stresses applied when worn when handling the long strand in the buckle/barb and at the loops (fixed and mobile).

Standard: Internal
Equipment: Internal machinery
Certification: No
Checking the waterproofness of watches or other waterproof components

Equipment for checking water and/or air overpressure sealing, with detection of micro-leaks, they allow tests to be carried out up to 1,000 m deep. For higher values, please contact us. Our equipment also makes it possible to carry out a dynamic watertightness control, i.e. functions under pressure at the level of the crown or the pushers, up to a depth of 400m.

Standard: ISO 22810, ISO6425, NIHS 92-11 & NIHS 92-20
Equipment: Roxer machines, Variometer
Certification: Yes
Mechanical aging of pushers and crowns

Equipment allowing aging according to a defined test sequence the functions of the crown (pulling and/or rotation) as well as the pushers (START-STOP-RESET) with checks and measurements of the evolution of the forces and/or torques.

Standard: Internal
Equipment: Internal machinery
Certification: Yes
Wear/aging of coatings by abrasion

Equipment to carry out a wear test according to the desired standard with intermediate observations if necessary. This equipment also makes it possible to carry out tests for fine scratches, handbags, dirt and multidirectional wear.

Standard: ISO 23160 & NIHS 96-22
Equipment: Turbula T2C
Certification: Yes
Leather dye fastness (Veslic)

Equipment allowing to carry out frictions on the surface with load, speed and number of cycles controlled in dry, wet, sweat, Jeans and other environment according to request.

Standard: ISO 11640
Equipment: Internal machinery
Certification: Yes
Traction stress test

Traction machine with force sensor ranging from 1kN to 5kN.

Standard:
Equipment: Traction machine
Certification: No
Pendulum shocks

Pendulum impact machine for impacting components individually with a maximum acceleration at the point of impact of 5,000g.

Standard: ISO1413 & NIHS 91-10
Equipment: Internal machinery
Certification: Yes