When Winter Strikes: How Extreme Cold Affects Metal Infrastructure and What You Can Do About It
Winter Storm Fern exposed critical vulnerabilities in metal infrastructure across 26 states, causing over 1 million power outages. Learn how extreme cold fundamentally changes metal behavior through the ductile-to-brittle transition, why ice accumulation can be catastrophic, and how MSI Lab's testing services help prevent winter-related failures before they happen.
Alpha Case in Titanium: Why Aerospace Manufacturers Need Accurate Measurement and Removal Validation
Titanium's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio makes it indispensable for aerospace applications—but heat treatment and welding operations create a surface defect that can compromise these very properties. Alpha case, a hardened oxygen-enriched layer that forms during high-temperature processing, reduces ductility and fatigue resistance in titanium components. At MSI Lab in Dayton, Ohio, we help aerospace manufacturers validate their heat treatment processes and verify alpha case removal, providing the precise measurements quality managers need to ensure components meet specifications.
EDM Recast Layer: How MSI Lab Helps Manufacturers Identify and Eliminate Critical Defects
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) creates precision features impossible to achieve through conventional machining—but it also introduces a hidden challenge. The EDM recast layer, a thin altered zone on machined surfaces, can compromise component performance in high-stress applications. At MSI Lab in Dayton, Ohio, we partner with manufacturers to identify, measure, and help eliminate these critical defects before parts reach service.