Quality control lab utilizing the Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope
The DEON Research Centre in Hengelo, Netherlands, provides high-end materials analysis, including materials failure analysis, to companies that require product testing and quality assurance in their quality control lab. As an external testing facility, they assist clients in addressing various materials science analysis questions such as: What kind of contamination is present? Why did this material fail? While these may sound like fundamental issues, they require precise analysis and data to find the right solution.
The DEON team relies on the Thermo Scientific™ Axia™ ChemiSEM™ Scanning Electron Microscope in their quality control lab for their materials analysis, not only because of the quality of results it provides but also because of its many user-friendly features.
Materials science analysis with the Axia ChemiSEM System
Amedeo Manca, a material engineer at DEON, called the system a “game changer” because of how quickly they can load samples and take measurements, even when their clients are on site.
“When the client is here, we have the possibility to make images of the surface,” Amedeo said. “For example, we look at the place where the cracks initiated on a metal sample, or we do elemental analysis.” They can then get immediate feedback from clients that they may not have had otherwise.
The Axia ChemiSEM system is unique in that it constantly collects EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) data in the background and processes EDS and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) data simultaneously, delivering real-time insights and making analysis twice as fast as traditional methods.
“The Axia makes it possible for us to do quick elemental analysis without the use of liquid nitrogen, which makes it safer to use and also easier to use,” Amedeo said.
Usability features of the Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope
The Axia ChemiSEM System offers not only excellent imaging performance but also a design focused on flexibility and ease of use in their quality control lab. The stage can accommodate samples up to 10 kg, and the door opens fully to make loading easier.
“The chamber size of the Axia is very nice as well,” Amedeo said. “It allows us to insert multiple samples at a time, which gives us a bit more time to do multiple measurements one after the other instead of having to open the chamber every time.”
Plus, the system can both rotate and tilt samples, making it possible to see every side of a sample, no matter its shape or size.
“With the Axia, we get a high-resolution image at all times, which gives us more detail and a better opportunity to understand the surface of, for example, metals,” Amedeo said.
By combining high performance and user-friendly operation, the Axia ChemiSEM System empowers users with comprehensive materials characterization and quality control capabilities.
“It’s quite exciting,” Amedeo said. “It ticked all the boxes that were important for us to have a machine that is future proof.”
Learn more about the Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope for materials failure analysis >>
Marcel van de Put is a Senior Product Marketing Manager for Thermo Fisher Scientific
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