Independent Materials Testing You Can Trust
In the world of manufacturing, guessing is not an option. When products underperform, specifications must be verified, or a critical part fails, you need data that is accurate, timely, and accredited.
Since 1976, Analytical Process Laboratories (APL) has supported customers nationwide-and globally-with independent metallurgical testing that helps manufacturers, fabricators, and engineers make confident decisions about quality, safety, and performance. We do more than just generate test results; we provide answers. Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory combines state-of-the-art technology with the practical expertise of seasoned metallurgists to ensure your materials perform exactly as intended. Our work supports everything from routine verification and supplier qualification to complex investigations involving cracks, corrosion, and unexpected breakage.
Why Customers Use APL
Testing isn’t just about passing or failing a requirement-it’s about reducing risk and gaining clarity. Customers rely on APL to:
- Verify incoming materials meet purchase requirements, prints, and industry standards
- Confirm heat treatment condition and mechanical performance before parts go into service
- Qualify weld procedures, fasteners, and components for critical applications
- Diagnose failures and defects to prevent repeat issues, downtime, and warranty exposure
- Support product development, process changes, and corrective actions with objective data
Why Customers Choose APL
- Accredited Confidence: We are A2LA accredited for both Mechanical (Cert 0431.02) and Chemical (Cert 0431.03) testing, ensuring international standards of competence and traceability.
- Metallurgical Insight for the Non-Metallurgist: We understand that the majority of our customers may not be metallurgists or engineers, so we provide personal, practical, industry-focused interpretation of the results. We will explain them to you so you can understand the “why” behind the numbers, regardless of your knowledge of metallurgy or engineering.
- Speed & Control: Unlike labs that outsource sample preparation, we operate a comprehensive in-house machine shop. We machine our own tensile and Charpy specimens, giving us total control over the timeline and quality of your results.
- Comprehensive Solutions: From routine lot verification to complex forensic failure analysis, we are a single-source solution for your metallurgical needs.
- One-lab capability: across chemistry, mechanical testing, metallography, and failure analysis.
- Expedited services: available when timelines are tight.
Our Core Capabilities
- Mechanical Testing: rigorous physical testing-including tensile, impact, and hardness-to determine the strength, ductility, and durability of your materials.
- Chemical Analysis: Precise determination of elemental composition using OES, EDS, and Combustion techniques to verify/identify alloys, identify impurities, and detect contamination.
- Metallography: Microscopic evaluation of grain structure, phases, and defects to predict material performance and validate heat treatment history.
- Failure & Defect Analysis: A structured, forensic approach to diagnosing why a component failed, identifying the root cause to help you prevent recurrence.
- Specialized Testing: Custom testing plans, including Salt Spray corrosion testing, weld qualifications, and unique problem-solving consultations.
