CHEMICAL LABORATORY
Our chemical laboratory is equipped to carry out daily controls of the most necessary analyses and not depend on external laboratories. In this way, the baths are permanently monitored and within specification. For this task, the laboratory has the following measurement equipment:
pH-meter
pH is one of the parameters that is analysed the most since it plays a very important role in other parameters such as salts solubility, reaction speed or electrodeposition speed.
Ionometer
The ionometer is an instrument used for the specific determination of an ion by means of ion selective electrodes (ISE). Elhco has an ISE for the measurement of chlorides and fluorides.
Conductivity meter
Purity of and its quality is mainly determined by conductivity, which provides a direct measure of all dissolved ions. Conductivity measurement is crucial for bath formulation and washing waters.
Burettes
The so-called automatic titration burettes are basic tools for titrations. With this technique, multiple analyses can be carried out, such as the determination of the alkalinity/acidity of a bath, metal content, and reductant content, among others.
Rectifier
It is used in Hull cell testing to analyse the main parameters of the electrolytic baths as well as the deposition speed. Then, optimisations of the working parameters can be made to obtain the best quality.
Salt spray chamber
Elhco has a 1000-litre salt spray chamber to carry out accelerated corrosion tests using neutral salt spray in accordance with ISO 9227 and ASTM B117 specifications.
Balances
Balances with different precisions depending on the use: highly precise analytical balances for analyte quantitative analysis and granatary balances for the formation of baths and qualitative level analysis.
Spectrophotometer UV-Vis
Our visible spectrum benchtop spectrophotometer (320 – 1100 nm) allows quick and accurate measurement of a wide range of ions in aqueous medium.
Karl Fischer Titrator
This equipment is used for determining the water content in organic reagents, according to ISO 760 standard.
Tensiometer
The force tensiometer is an instrument for measuring surface and interfacial tension using the ring tear method. It performs quick, simple, and accurate measurements of surfactant solutions and solvents.
METALLOGRAPHIC LABORATORY
The metallographic laboratory is fully equipped to carry out measurements of the physical properties of the deposited layers for compliance validation of the requirements of the specifications.
METALLOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
It's the study of the microstructure of a metal, such as grain size, inclusions, phases, and other constituents. In this analysis, our goal is to determine whether the material has been processed correctly, both initially and after treatment.
SECTIONING MACHINE
Metallographic cutting is the first step in the preparation of metallographic analysis samples. With this equipment, we can perform on-site sample cutting quickly and accurately.
MOUNTING (COLD)
Mounting is the second step in the preparation of metallographic analysis samples. It is used to protect the piece obtained in the cutting phase and to achieve perfect edge retention. At Elhco, we have the necessary materials to perform optimal mounting of the piece.
POLISHING MACHINE
Polishing is the third step in metallographic analysis and aims to remove scratches and obtain a specular surface on the sample contained in the pellet before conducting the analysis under the microscope.
