Alpha Case Testing Metallography Services for Aerospace 

Verify Oxygen-Enriched Surface Layers on Titanium—Accredited Results at Production Speed 

Why Alpha Case Testing Matters 

For titanium fasteners, airframe structures, and engine-adjacent hardware, alpha case reduces ductility, promotes crack initiation, and degrades fatigue life—especially at bearing surfaces, thread roots, and edges. Accurate detection and depth measurement confirm heat-treat/descale effectiveness, validate manufacturing routes, and prevent field failures. Our evaluations align with ASTM metallographic practices and program specifications to support MRB decisions and OEM/FAA audits. 

AADFW’s Approach: Precision, Speed, and Proof 

• Accredited & precise: Work performed within an ISO/IEC 17025 quality system using controlled preparation, calibrated microscopes, and documented uncertainty where applicable. 

• Faster results: Streamlined intake, standardized work instructions for Ti alloys, and decision-ready reports compress lead times—without compromising rigor. 

• Trusted by industry: Aerospace and energy teams rely on our clear acceptance callouts, and photo-documented sections that stand up to audits and primes. 

Alpha Case Metallography: Service Capabilities 

• Targeted Sampling & Sectioning 
  Cross-sections taken at the highest-risk locations (edges, fillets, thread roots, bearing lands) with non-thermal sectioning to preserve near-surface microstructure. 

• Metallographic Preparation & Etching 
  Processing per ASTM E3/E407 to reveal oxygen-stabilized alpha; optimized etchants and polishing sequences for Ti-6Al-4V and other Ti alloys. 

• Depth Measurement & Imaging 
  Brightfield/contrast imaging with calibrated scale bars; measurement of alpha-case thickness (average and maximum) from surface to unaffected matrix. 

• Thread-Root & Feature-Specific Evaluations 
  Mounted cross-sections at first engaged thread or critical edges to quantify local alpha-case penetration and machining/processing effects. 

• Process Effectiveness Checks 
  Pre/post evaluation of descaling, machining stock removal, or chemical milling steps to demonstrate alpha-case removal to drawing allowances. 

• Reporting & Traceability 
  Photo plates, measurement callouts, hardness plots, locations maps, acceptance table (go/no-go), and linkage to part/heat/lot with instrument IDs, audit-ready. 

Industries We Support 

• Aerospace: Titanium fasteners, forgings, and structural components; validation of heat-treat, hot-work, and descaling per OEM/FAA expectations. 

• Defense & Advanced Manufacturing: Mission-critical Ti components and additively manufactured titanium where thermal history can induce alpha case. 
  Trusted by engineers and QC managers across mission-critical industries. 

Accreditations & Standards Compliance 

AADFW operates to ISO/IEC 17025 with traceable calibrations and documented controls. Alpha-case evaluations are performed using applicable ASTM metallographic methods and customer/OEM specifications, with supporting tests available as required: 

• Metallography/Etching: ASTM E3, ASTM E407 

• Grain size & microstructure (as needed): ASTM E112 

• Chemical corroboration (optional): Oxygen by Combustion (e.g., E1409/E1447(only for hydrogen) equivalents when specified); surface chemistry by SEM/EDS 

• Supports Nadcap-driven program requirements and OEM procedures for titanium alpha-case control and verification. 

Why Engineers Choose AADFW 

• Accredited & audit-ready metallography with clear, defensible measurements. 

• Faster turnaround to meet qualification and release gates. 

• Trusted partner across aerospace and oil & gas programs. 

• Expert metallurgists who turn images and data into clear go/no-go decisions and practical corrective actions (stock removal, process tweaks). 

Request a Quote for Alpha Case Metallography Testing 

Protect fatigue life and surface integrity on your titanium parts. Request a Quote to schedule alpha-case evaluation today.