Frequently Asked Questions
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MSI Lab (Metallurgical Solutions, Inc.) is a GE S-400 certified and A2LA ISO 17025 accredited metallurgical testing laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. We specialize in chemical analysis, mechanical testing, microstructure analysis, and failure analysis for metals and alloys. We serve aerospace, defense, manufacturing, steel mills, foundries, heat treating companies, and the pulp and paper industry. Our rush testing capabilities help customers prevent problems in their products and provide expert failure analysis when issues occur. We also provide litigation support and expert witness testimony.
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MSI Lab offers several advantages:
Rush testing with same-day and 24-hour turnaround for urgent projects
GE S-400 certification - one of the few labs in the Midwest with this designation
A2LA ISO 17025 accreditation for quality assurance
Local to Dayton, Ohio - convenient for Wright-Patterson AFB and Ohio manufacturers
Veteran-Owned Small Business serving aerospace, defense, and industrial clients
Expert failure analysis with experienced metallurgists
Personalized service - we're not a corporate lab, so you work directly with our team
Unlike general testing facilities that divide their focus between multiple disciplines, MSI Lab specializes exclusively in destructive metallurgical testing. Our singular focus allows us to maintain the most advanced equipment, deepest expertise, and industry-leading certifications (GE S-400, A2LA ISO 17025) specifically for materials analysis.
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Metallurgical Solutions, Inc. services companies in a wide variety of industries.
Aerospace
Automotive
Construction
Consumer Products
Manufacturing
Medical
Mining and Resource Extraction
Pulp and Paper
And many many more!
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Metallurgical Solutions, Inc. is located at 331 E Helena St., Dayton, Ohio 45404. We are only minutes from downtown and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), making us the closest A2LA accredited metallurgical testing laboratory to WPAFB and ideal for aerospace companies in Ohio.
Dayton has been at the heart of innovation for over 150 years and that legacy is ongoing. MSI Lab is proud to serve companies on the cutting edge!
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While MSI Lab serves customers worldwide, we're especially convenient for Ohio manufacturers, foundries, steel mills, and aerospace suppliers in Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, and throughout the Midwest.
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Yes! We welcome and encourage visitors to check out our facilities! Just drop us a note here to schedule a visit.
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Nope. Metallurgical Solutions, Inc. is a Veteran-Owned small business. We pride ourselves on our independence and ability to work seamlessly as a team in order to return high-quality, expedited results!
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A2LA Accreditation – ISO/IEC 17025
MSI is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) under ISO/IEC 17025, the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. This accreditation confirms our technical competence and ability to produce precise and accurate test results.
View Our ISO 17025 2-28-2027 2037.01
For more information, visit A2LA's official website.
GE S-400 Special Process Certification
MSI holds the GE S-400 certification, indicating our approval as a Special Process Supplier for General Electric. This certification demonstrates our adherence to GE's stringent quality requirements for materials testing and analysis.
Learn more about GE S-400 and why it matters HERE
View our GE-S400 GT193-68639-Nov 30, 2026--AI-1certificate
Details about GE's supplier certifications can be found on GE Aerospace's website.
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Yes! MSI Lab specializes in rush metallurgical testing with fast turnaround times. Depending on the job, we routinely provide results within 24 hours, with same-day service available for urgent projects. Our expedited testing capabilities make us ideal for time-critical aerospace, manufacturing, and failure analysis needs.
Click here to request a quote so we can provide you with a turnaround time that works for you!
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We accept samples shipped via the USPS or other major carriers. If you’re local, you’re welcome to drop your samples off at our lab at your convenience. We also offer pick-up service for Dayton-area businesses along our route.
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For heavy samples, make sure they are secured within the container or properly strapped on a pallet. Small samples should be bagged and shipped in a sturdy box or envelope.
If you are submitting samples for failure analysis, it is important that you do not attempt to reassemble the pieces as the fracture surfaces can easily become obscured. Wrap fractured ends before shipping.
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We accept payments via credit card or through a purchase order (PO).
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Metallurgy is a branch of Materials Science and Engineering that is concerned with the chemical and physical properties and behavior of metals and alloys.
Metallurgical testing assesses those properties for processing and use in the final product. It is a crucial process to ensure the safety and integrity of products that we use every day.
Thank your local metallurgist!
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Metallurgical Solutions Inc. offers a wide range of destructive testing options.
Hardness (Rockwell, Brinell)
Microindentation Hardness (Vickers, Knoop)
Charpy Impact
Tensile (r-Value, n-Value)
Fastener Tensile (Axial)
Bond Strength of Thermal Spray Coatings
Bend Test
Coating Mass
Case Depth
Microstructure
Metallographic Evaluation
Alpha Case
Carbide Content
Preparation
Plating Thickness
Inclusion Content
Susceptibility to IGA of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Intergranular Attack/Oxidation
Depth of Decarburization
Grain Size
Microetch/Macroetch
Replication
SEM Performance
Chemical Analysis
Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDS)
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF)
Combustion Analysis
Weld Examination (Operator and Procedure Qualification)
Failure Analysis
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Low Alloy Steel
Cast Iron
High Alloy Steel
Nickel
Titanium
Aluminum
Copper
Lead
Gold
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Yes! Research and Development projects are a regular part of our business. If you have only one sample or require repeated testing over many years, we’re happy to be a part of innovation!
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Mechanical Testing in metallurgy is the physical manipulation of metals with controlled forces and interpreting the results.
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At MSI Lab, we offer several types of Mechanical Testing.
Hardness
Rockwell (HRB, HRC, HR15T, HR30T, and HR30N)
Test Methods: ASTM E18, F606/F606M
Brinell (10/500 and 10/3000) Kgf
Test Method: ASTM E10
Microindentation Hardness
Vickers (50, 300, 500, and 1000) gf
Knoop (50, 300, 500, and 1000) gf
Test Methods: ASTM E384, E92
Charpy Impact (Up to 240 ft lbs/325 J / -40 to 95) °F
Test Method: ASTM E23
Tensile
Test Methods: ASTM A370, E8/8M, B557
r-Value
Test Method: ASTM E517
n-Value
Test Method: ASTM E646
Yield Point Elongation
Test Method: ASTM E8
Fastener Tensile (Axial - Load to 60,000 lbs)
Test Methods: ASTM F606/F606M
Bond Strength of Thermal Spray Coatings
Test Method: ASTM C633
Bend Test
Test Methods: ASTM E190, E290
Coating Mass
Test Methods: ASTM A90
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Metallurgical Solutions, Inc. offers several metallographic evaluation options.
Preparation
Alpha Case
Carbide Content
Plating Thickness
Inclusion Content
Susceptibility to IGA of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Intergranular Attack / Oxidation
Depth of Decarburization
Grain Size
Microetch / Macroetch
Replication
SEM Performance
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Metallurgical Chemical Analysis is used to identify and quantify the elemental composition of metals and alloys.
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Metallurgical Solutions, Inc. has an array of methods to determine the chemical composition of metals and alloys.
Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDS)
Test Methods: ASTM A751, E415, E1086, E1999, E1251, and E2994
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF)
Low Alloy Steel (Al, C, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, S, Si, Ti, V)
Cast Iron (C, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, S, Si, Ti, V)
High Alloy Steel (C, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, S, Ti, W, V)
Aluminum (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si, Ti, V, Zn, Mg)
Titanium (Al, V, Fe, Mo, Cr, Mn, Sn, Zr, Nb)
Test Methods: ASTM E1085, E572, E2465, and E539
Combustion Analysis
C, H, N, O, S
Test Methods: ASTM E1019, E1941, E1409, and E1447
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
Test Method: ASTM E986
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Yes! We offer both Weld Operator and Weld Procedure Qualification evaluations.
We have extensive experience with the following welding codes:
ASME IX
AWS D1.1/D1.1M
AWS D1.2/D1.2M
AWS D1.6/D1.6M
AWS D1.9/D1.9M
AWS D17.1/D17.1M
Additionally, we evaluate Laser Welds, Electron Beam Welds, and braze joints.
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Yes! Our metallurgists are well-known and sought-after for their experience and success in failure analysis. Our expedited process has saved organizations countless amounts of time and money by determining root cause and providing insight to prevent future issues.
Let us be your first call!
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Yes! We routinely test titanium castings and other titanium alloys for aerospace and medical device manufacturers. Our GE S-400 certification and chemical analysis capabilities (including combustion analysis for oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen in titanium) make us a trusted partner for critical titanium testing.
Thank your local metallurgist!
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MSI Lab offers comprehensive failure analysis for pulp and paper industry equipment including digesters, recovery boilers, evaporators, and process piping. Our metallurgists have extensive experience determining root cause of corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, fatigue failures, and material degradation in pulp and paper operations.
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Absolutely. As a GE S-400 certified and A2LA ISO 17025 accredited laboratory located near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, we specialize in testing for aerospace suppliers. We provide chemical analysis, mechanical testing, and metallographic evaluation for aerospace materials including titanium, nickel alloys, and high-strength steels.