Insight: Howco’s UKAS-Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory

Howco Sheffield is well-known for the processing and distribution of high-performance alloys for a wide range of demanding industries including oil and gas, energy and more recently, aerospace. But in addition, Howco is now giving some new insight into a lesser-known division of the business in Sheffield - the fully independent UKAS-accredited Test Laboratory.

The lab. provides a comprehensive range of mechanical, metallurgical and corrosion testing services, carried out to recognised national and international standards across many sectors of the metals industry.

Independent testing, recognised standards

The laboratory’s ISO 17025 UKAS accreditation demonstrates its commitment to technical competence and reliable testing practices, providing customers with confidence in the quality and integrity of test results.

The facility offers a broad range of metallurgical testing, including:

• Grain Size
• Inclusion Content
• Corrosion Testing (G48, G28)
• Microstructure Evaluation (including API 6A CRA)
• Macro Assessment
• Volume Fraction

Mechanical tests include:

• Tensile Testing
• Impact Testing
• Hardness Testing

Together, these allow the laboratory team to support customers requiring detailed analysis and verification of material properties and performance.

John Atkinson, Test Laboratory Manager at Howco Sheffield, explains:

“It may be a surprise to some businesses in the region that we’re a fully independent, ISO 17025 UKAS-accredited test laboratory. We provide a range of mechanical, metallurgical and corrosion testing carried out to recognised national and international standards and our tests are completed efficiently by technicians with a combined experience of 60 years in the mechanical and metallurgical industry.”

Specialist equipment

The Sheffield test laboratory is equipped with a range of specialist testing machines. These include: 250 kN tensile machines, 300 J and 450 J impact machines (Charpy testing), 150 J Izod machine, Rockwell and Brinell hardness machines.

This combination of specialist equipment and technical expertise enables Howco’s testing laboratory to provide a responsive and reliable service for customers across the metals industry.

While Howco Sheffield’s operation is perhaps best known for its expertise in high-performance alloy processing and distribution, its independent testing facility represents another incredibly valuable service available to the metals industry.

To find out more detail about specific tests, please contact Howco’s independent testing laboratory: testlab@howcogroup.com

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