What Kind of Coating Was Used?
Black painted parts(covers) were failing UV tests.The good/bad parts were analyzed by reflective IR techniques by client without any useful results–there was carbon black pigment interference. The client believed that a wrong coating was used but couldn’t prove it. Microlab took scrapings of good/bad coating. We used micro pyrolysis technique and examined pyrolyzate by microFT-IR. We were able to show that wrong coating was used to paint the bad parts.
Industrial Air Dust
The client was concerned with hard water humidifier scale from ceiling misters and wanted a characterization of the dust. Initial microscopy exam showed most of the dust to be fibers. Simple ash analysis confirmed that the fibers were organic (no inorganic content). Ash analysis of the dust showed that only 15% of the sample was water hardness scale.
Dust Contamination on Cars Near Power Plant
Fly-ash was suspected as cause of dust contamination. Samples were taken from hoods of 2-3 cars and analyzed. No fly ash was found. The material proved to be pine pollen. The power plant was not at fault.
Paint Adhesion Problem
Blue paint was flaking from motor housings. The paint flakes were examined for artifacts using low power stereo microscopy and high power reflected light microscopy. This was a difficult problem to solve. Careful microscopic exam of paint flakes showed rust particles and Newton rings (generally associated with oil slicks on water, thin films). Further exam showed micro sized oil droplets on the flakes. Drawing fluid used for manufacturing was found to be an aqueous based oil emulsion. This was not washed properly from the parts.
