The laboratory conducts metallurgical tests on material and weld samples to achieve the following objectives:

• detect superficial or internal discontinuities
• ascertain the microstructure and the grain size of the material and its welding
• determine coating thickness
• assess the thermal treatment they have been subjected to and
• determine eventually their compliance with the standards

The methods employed include stereoscopy, optical microscopy (up to 1000x magnification), and electron microscopy (up to 150,000x magnification), supplemented by hardness testing and chemical analysis.