Corrosion Engineering
At Stress Engineering Services, we specialize in corrosion engineering, using advanced tools and extensive expertise to address environmental degradation and material corrosion that can result in system failures. We specialize in both standard and customized tests in our well-equipped labs, simulating real-world conditions to solve practical problems. Innovations include refining flow corrosion testing techniques, developing new methods for corrosion inhibitor evaluation, and conducting comprehensive tests across various flow regimes such as turbulent or low-flow scenarios.
Our capabilities extend to material qualification tests in both sweet (CO2) and sour (H2S) up to 500°F and 10,000 psig, advanced electrochemical tests, and specialized coating assessments to meet broad industry needs. Whether it’s understanding corrosion under deposits or optimizing inhibitors in dynamic conditions, our team is equipped to deliver solutions.
Failure Analysis
At Stress Engineering Services, we excel in failure analysis by identifying the root causes of failures, whether they stem from manufacturing defects, maintenance practices, design, or operating parameters. Our experienced engineers thoroughly examine all aspects including component design, materials, and operating environment, informed by decades of evaluating a vast array of components like piping, electronic components, and medical devices across various engineering disciplines.
Our state-of-the-art labs and broad testing capabilities enable us to provide reliable results that prevent future failures. Field investigations start with meticulous on-site inspections using advanced tools to gather evidence without disturbing the scene, followed by detailed lab analyses to ensure comprehensive and timely insights into each failure incident.
Field Inspection and Testing
We provide field inspection and non-destructive testing for engineered components and structures. Our multidisciplinary team conducts thorough in-situ assessments to identify the root causes of failures and evaluate the degradation mechanisms affecting the service life of various components. Utilizing a broad range of macroscopic and microscopic techniques, we document the components, assess material properties, and determine their failure modes or their suitability for continued service.
We excel in non-destructive testing methods that precisely locate, characterize, and size flaws across diverse items, from consumer products and medical devices to pipelines and coke drums, ensuring reliability and safety in their continued use.
Materials Selection & Characterization
At Stress Engineering Services, we excel in materials selection and characterization to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness for diverse applications. Leveraging decades of experience, our engineers utilize advanced testing and inspection methods to select and qualify the best materials, including metals, plastics, composites, and elastomers.
Our in-house laboratory capabilities allow us to fully understand material behaviors under various environmental conditions such as temperature, stress, and corrosion, ensuring the chosen materials meet stringent industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Our team is equipped to handle challenges posed by new technologies, aggressive environments, or changes in supplier or regulatory landscapes, providing robust material solutions that enhance reliability and durability.
Materials Testing
Our materials testing laboratories form the core of our engineering and metallurgy services, equipped with advanced tools to conduct a broad spectrum of tests under conditions including high pressure, high temperature, and environmental stress. We offer both standard and custom testing procedures to assess mechanical properties, material degradation, and product performance. Additionally, we specialize in life assessment and the instrumentation of components to measure real-world stresses such as load, temperature, and pressure. These capabilities enable us to identify potential failure modes, ensuring reliable material selection and enhancing the durability and performance of products and components.
Metallurgical Laboratory Services
We offer full-service, metallurgical laboratory services in our Houston, Cincinnati, and Calgary offices. Our materials testing laboratories are equipped to provide a variety of analytical and testing services from failure analysis to on-site evaluation, accident investigation, group forensic inspections, and litigation support.
Our experienced laboratory staff provides standard metallurgical testing including fractography, metallography, hardness, and mechanical testing. Additionally, our Houston lab is equipped with state-of-the-art scanning electron microscopy, featuring advanced wide field and depth imaging modes, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) capabilities.
Polymers | Elastomers | Composites
Stress Engineering Services specializes in the engineering of plastics, polymers, elastomers, and composites across various manufacturing processes. Our state-of-the-art laboratories are equipped to perform detailed analysis and testing to identify the properties and behaviors of non-metallic materials under diverse environmental conditions, including temperature variations, impact, and chemical exposure.
We utilize a range of sophisticated testing techniques to understand material responses like creep, aging, and stress behaviors, ensuring materials are aptly suited for their specific applications. In addition, we conduct aging investigations and life cycle assessments under real-world stress conditions to enhance the reliability and performance of materials in operational settings.
Welding Engineering
Stress Engineering Services employs advanced welding and joining processes integral to material systems across various industries. We provide comprehensive services including failure analysis, materials selection, and post-weld assessments, supported by non-destructive evaluations and mechanical testing. Our team also maintains an extensive knowledge of many ASME, API, and AWS welding codes, recommended practices, and industry standards.
- Technical review of welding procedures for:
- Customer specifications and applicable industry standards and code compliance
- Welding variables to metallurgical structure and mechanical properties comparisons
- Preparation of welding procedures for client/contractor qualifications
- Monitor/witness welding fabrication to ensure specification conformity
- CTOD Testing used in welding procedure qualification
- Welding procedures for sour service and high-pressure vessels
