To validate its casting process, Fonderie Saguenay performs multiple tests divided into two important categories: 

Destructive and non-destructive tests
Destructive tests	Non-destructive tests
Chemistry Metallography Tensile strength	Hardness Material density

Chemistry

Before each pouring, the furnace operator draws a sampling of molten metal. He pours it into a copper mold to accelerate its solidification into a standardized sample. The latter is then analyzed with an emission spectrometer that provides results for 13 chemical elements monitored by Fonderie Saguenay. Those results are then used to modify the furnace recipe through the addition of various alloys in order to comply with the client’s specifications.

The analysis reports are supplied to the client upon request.

The ARL brand spectrometer is calibrated on a daily basis and cleaned by an ARL inspector who also performs a high-level calibration twice a year.

Metallography
To control the structural matrix of each casting, metallographic analyses of our pouring ladles are performed on a regular basis.

At the end of each casting session, a standardized mold is used to make a sample bar. A portion of the bar is polished and examined with a 100 X microscope. The images thus obtained are analyzed with a specialized digital camera with a 1024 X 769 resolution, calibrated on a regular basis.

Powerful software then analyzes the image and, using extensive calculations, produces a report in accordance with the ASTM A247 standard.

The analysis reports are supplied to the client upon request.

Tensile strength

At the end of each casting session, a standardized mold is used to make a sample bar. Upon the client’s request, the sample is machined according to the specification of the material ordered, and stretched to measure its tensile strength right in our facility, in accordance with the ASTM E8 standard.

Like all analysis equipment in use at Fonderie Saguenay, this machine undergoes regular calibration, performed in this case by a certified technician.

See our chart in the Specifications section of our website for an overview of the type of results obtained.

Hardness
Many of our clients ask us to measure the hardness of their parts. At Fonderie Saguenay, we regularly conduct hardness tests in accordance with the ASTM E10 standard. Results are provided to the client per the Brinell scale.

Here are examples of typical hardness for various materials cast by Fonderie Saguenay:

Gray Iron	140 to 200 BHN
Ductile Iron	140 to 230 BHN

Material density
Based on the client’s needs, we may be required to control the density of the material used to cast the parts. Various types of analyses can be conducted, such as:

1- Magnaflux	3- Ultrasounds
2- Penetrating liquid	4- X-Rays

Whereas our own technicians can perform the first two tests, external firms are hired to perform the third and fourth types. In all cases, Fonderie Saguenay provides detailed reports to the client.