Metallographic & Replica Testing

When a destructive examination of static equipment, piping, etc. cannot be performed, the replica technique offers an interesting solution to perform a metallographic examination in situation. Replica investigation is a technique to make a print of the material’s microstructure of a prepared surface. To perform this technique the material to be investigated does not need to be removed and stays intact, in contrast to a “normal” metallographic examination. Replica investigation is the most appropriate inspection technique to follow up creep (changes in structure).