Laboratory services

MBN Nanomaterialia offers a full suite of laboratory services to support materials development, quality control, and failure analysis. Our in-house facilities are equipped to carry out microstructural, chemical, and mechanical evaluations on both powder and consolidated materials. 

These capabilities play a key role in supporting internal R&D, customer projects, and collaborative developments across sectors such as powder metallurgy, surface engineering, and additive manufacturing of advanced alloys.

All tests are performed in compliance with international standards (e.g. ASTM, ISO), with the possibility of tailoring procedures to specific customer or project requirements.

Morphological characterization

MBN performs comprehensive morphological analysis of powders to assess their processability and consistency.

Key measurements include:

  • True density by helium pycnometry (ASTM B923-10);
  • Apparent and tap density (IO 08 REV01 (internal)), to evaluate packing behavior;
  • Flowability, assessed by Hall flowmeter (ASTM B213-03);
  • Particle size distribution, measured by laser diffraction granulometry (ASTM B822-02), to ensure proper sizing for target processes.


These tests are essential for quality control and tailoring powders for compatibility with the downstream compaction or deposition technologies of choice.

Microstructural Investigation

MBN offers comprehensive microstructural analysis to support material development, quality control, and failure investigations.

After proper metallographic sample preparation (embedding, polishing, etching), we perform:

  • Optical microscopy (up to 1000×) to evaluate grain size, porosity, inclusions, and phase distribution.
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with EDS for high-resolution imaging, elemental mapping, detection of microstructural defects, and sub-micrometric precipitates.
  • X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phase identification and analysis of crystallographic changes due to processing or heat treatments.


These techniques provide detailed insight into material structure and processing effects.

Chemical Analysis

MBN performs chemical characterization to verify consistency with nominal compositions, detect contaminants, and support material development and quality control.

  • X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and SEM-EDS for semiquantitative analysis of alloy composition and detection of unintended metallic impurities.
  • Quantitative analysis of carbon, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen using LECO elemental analyzers (ASTM E1019)


Custom calibration standards and procedures were developed in collaboration with LECO specialists to ensure accuracy on complex, mechanically alloyed powders.

These analyses are critical for assessing oxidation sensitivity, processability, and carbide-forming potential.

Mechanical Testing

MBN provides a comprehensive suite of mechanical tests to assess the performance of materials and components.

These include:

  • Microhardness testing, applicable both to bulk samples and polished cross-sections of powders, to evaluate local hardness and phase distribution.
  • Macrohardness measurements for overall resistance to localized plastic deformation.
  • Charpy impact testing to assess toughness and resistance to brittle fracture.
  • Tensile testing to determine yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility.


These tests support the qualification and optimization of consolidated specimens for structural and functional applications.

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