| As a result of advancements in materials technology | | | | replacement and spinal column surgeries is a product |
| in the medical implant and surgical instrumentation | | | | frequently tested. Chemical, physical and |
| industries, Laboratory Testing Inc. (LTI) has become | | | | corrosion-resistant attributes are verified on |
| a major supplier of metals testing and materials | | | | representative samples using standard mechanical |
| analysis services for leading manufacturers of these | | | | testing, chemical analysis and corrosion analysis |
| devices. Medical manufacturers have become acutely | | | | methods. Nondestructive test methods, such as liquid |
| aware of the need to use quality metals and | | | | penetrant and immersion ultrasonics are typically used |
| materials in their products for guaranteed | | | | to identify flaws and inconsistencies in wall thickness. |
| performance, durability and long-term reliability. To | | | | Laboratory Testing Inc. was challenged by a major |
| ensure that quality is maintained throughout the | | | | medical manufacturer to develop an ultrasonic testing |
| manufacturing process, raw materials and metal | | | | procedure that would adequately and reliably detect |
| products, machined parts and fabricated products | | | | longitudinal and transverse oriented defects as small |
| may go through a number of nondestructive or | | | | as.004 inch in depth in heavy wall metal tubing, with |
| materials testing procedures for information and | | | | outside diameter to inside diameter rations typically |
| certification. | | | | greater than 2.0 to 7.0. Using reference standards |
| Through nondestructive testing, metals testing and | | | | containing EDM notches from the various sized |
| materials analysis such as mechanical testing, chemical | | | | materials, LTI was able to confirm both the |
| analysis and metallography services performed at | | | | detectability and reliability of the ultrasonic testing. |
| Laboratory Testing Inc., manufacturers get answers | | | | Further confirmation was achieved with materials |
| about mechanical properties, microscopic and | | | | testing during production by metallographic sectioning |
| subsurface flaws, material composition, corrosion | | | | and examination of any areas containing indications |
| susceptibility and more. Testing and inspection | | | | exceeding the ultrasonic reference level. Ultrasonics |
| services such as tensile, bend, ultrasonic, and salt | | | | are also used to verify the wall thickness and run-out |
| spray testing, ICP analysis, X-ray, magnetic particle | | | | (TIR) of the materials, which is a critical characteristic |
| and liquid penetrant inspections are all relied on for | | | | of the material prior to threading both the inside and |
| valuable results and answers. | | | | outside diameters. Depending on the material type, |
| For example, various materials are tested from the | | | | liquid penetrant examinations are performed on the |
| raw materials stage up to the final cleaning and | | | | tubing in the as-drawn condition and in the |
| packaging stages. Small diameter, heavy wall metal | | | | manufacturer's final machined stage to further detect |
| tubing used to manufacture bone screws for joint | | | | possible discontinuities. |