Test standards Alpine supports: ASTM E2015
Microscopy is the use of high-magnification imaging to examine the surfaces and internal structures of materials, providing critical insight into how and why failures occur. In failure analysis, microscopy can reveal crack initiation sites, fracture patterns, and surface features that indicate chemical or mechanical degradation, enabling precise identification of damage mechanisms. For example, in rapid gas decompression (RGD) failures, microscopy allows for the identification of blistering, internal fissures, and crack propagation pathways in elastomers and composites, helping to grade decompression-related damage. By visualizing contaminants, inclusions, and flaw sites at high resolution, microscopy supports root cause analysis in unique failure modes, ensuring materials are properly evaluated for use in demanding environments. Examples of surface morphology under a microscope are shown below.
Alpine’s microscopy services help customers understand why materials fail, identify contaminants, and analyze flaw sites to support R&D, qualification, and failure analysis efforts.
- High-resolution imaging up to 2500x (zoom to 6500x) for detailed surface and subsurface feature inspection.
- Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for precise chemical analysis directly on flaw sites.
- Identification of foreign materials, inclusions, and contaminant particles at fracture or damage sites.
- Supports failure analysis, material development, and qualification programs.
We use high-resolution optical magnification to investigate surface damage, cracks, fracture patterns, and wear on elastomers, plastics, and composites after performance and aging tests. This allows us to document surface morphology, assess failure modes, rate damage according to standards, and identify visual evidence of chemical or mechanical degradation, providing customers with clear, actionable insights into how materials behave under simulated service conditions.
ASTM E2015 outlines the procedure for preparing plastics and polymeric specimens for examination under high-zoom microscopes.