In Episode 9 of The PM Blend podcast, the Atlas Pressed Metals team took listeners behind the scenes of one of the most important areas of their facility – the metallurgical lab. Instead of sending parts out for evaluation, Atlas can run testing and analysis under the same roof where components are engineered and produced.
This keeps development moving, supports quicker troubleshooting, and gives the team direct visibility into how each material and process is performing.
Having an in-house metallurgical analysis lab means every step of production, from powder selection to finished parts, can be verified for consistency, strength, and performance. The lab connects the work happening in engineering, production, and quality, making sure every part aligns with Atlas’s internal standards as well as industry expectations like MPIF and ASTM.
It brings clarity to each stage of the process and helps confirm that the final result is built to perform.
Atlas’s metallurgical lab acts as both a testing hub and a problem-solving center. Every powder metal part we produce has some connection to this lab, whether it’s material verification, density testing, or a microscopic analysis.
The lab gives the team the insight needed to confirm how each part comes together. With specialized metallurgical lab equipment, technicians analyze material chemistry, internal structures, and physical properties to ensure each component aligns with MPIF standards and customer requirements.
In other words, the lab verifies that what’s engineered on paper performs exactly as intended in the real world.
Quality control starts long before a part reaches the production floor. The metallurgical testing lab supports every phase of Atlas’s process, from raw material inspection to in-process sampling and final validation.
For customers, this level of insight is invaluable. Atlas’s ability to analyze, validate, and troubleshoot internally means faster answers, better performance, and fewer production delays.
Atlas’s metallurgical lab equipment includes both traditional and advanced tools, each serving a specific role in analyzing powder metal components. Among the most notable is the in-house Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) – an asset that sets Atlas apart from many other metallurgical labs.
With its high magnification and depth-of-field control, the SEM lets technicians see features that exceed those of optical microscopy, including coating layers, fracture surfaces, and fine details within the material structure. Whether confirming coating adhesion or performing failure analysis, SEM data provides an additional layer of precision that directly supports Atlas’s commitment to quality and innovation.
By combining SEM with optical microscopy, hardness testing, and density measurement tools, the lab can deliver a complete picture of a component’s internal and external characteristics, which is critical for both new product development and long-term performance evaluation.
When a customer’s part has unexpected issues such as cracking, breaking, or unusual wear, Atlas’s metallurgical analysis lab becomes the front line of investigation. Using advanced diagnostic tools like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), technicians examine fracture surfaces and microstructures in detail to identify the type of failure and uncover the root cause.
Was it due to a material inconsistency? A processing variable? Environmental stress? The lab helps uncover the root cause, allowing the Atlas engineering and production teams to work with the customer to adjust parameters, modify materials, or redesign parts for improved durability.
This proactive approach doesn’t just fix problems – it prevents them. By continuously monitoring trends and feeding insights back into production, the lab contributes directly to process improvement and customer satisfaction.
A lab is only as strong as the people behind it. Atlas’s metallurgical lab technicians bring a blend of technical skill and practical powder metallurgy experience to every project. They handle everything from preparing samples to running detailed analyses and interpreting results that support decisions across the organization.
These technicians are also instrumental in cross-departmental collaboration, working closely with engineers, production managers, and quality assurance teams to ensure consistent communication and a shared understanding of results.
Maintaining reliability in any metallurgical testing lab requires strict adherence to standardized methods. Atlas follows MPIF Standard 35, MPIF Standard Test Methods, and relevant ASTM standards to ensure accuracy, consistency, and global alignment in testing and reporting.
Atlas also stays engaged with developments across the industry. Through involvement in MPIF Standards Committees and the Center for Powder Metal Technology, the team stays up to date on new materials, testing methods, and best practices – all of which help customers benefit from the latest advances in powder metallurgy.
Not all manufacturers invest in their own metallurgical labs, and that’s what makes Atlas Pressed Metals unique. By housing this capability internally, Atlas can:
And when it comes to development, the in-house lab supports everything from early prototypes to full production validation. That level of visibility helps Atlas make informed adjustments, move projects forward faster, and deliver the consistency and precision customers expect.
Episode 9 of The PM Blend underscored how fundamental the metallurgical lab is to Atlas’s work. Between the expertise of the technicians, the capabilities of the equipment, and the focus on industry standards, the lab helps ensure every part is built to the level of performance customers expect.
When customers partner with Atlas Pressed Metals, they’re not just getting components; they’re gaining the insight and assurance of a full metallurgical analysis lab working behind the scenes to guarantee results.
If you’re developing a new powder metal part, converting from another material or process, or troubleshooting an existing design, Atlas’s team is ready to help.
Contact us today to learn how our in-house metallurgical testing lab and expert team can support your next project.