Surface Engineering
NPL has built up expertise and facilities for the measurement of the properties and performance for engineered surfaces over a number of years.
The thrust of the work is concerned with the development and validation of measurement methods for the characterisation of the mechanical properties of surfaces. This includes the development of tribological test methods, the development of improved methods for the measurement of coatings integrity including adhesion, the measurement of the mechanical properties of surface engineered and coated materials, and the measurement of residual stress.
The main activities are built around core three year research programmes supported by National Measurement System in collaboration with industry, with the remit of supplying manufacturing, processing and end-user industries with the measurement methods that enable industrial innovation and development.
New ways are being sought in which the improved use of measurement can contribute to UK competitiveness, and to serve customers world-wide with an expanding range of high quality scientific services. Research is undertaken and advice given in many different areas of surface engineering.
For more information: Mark Gee
Surface Engineering research
- NPL Activities are focussed on developing methods that will help UK industry to evaluate and solve their friction and wear problems.
- Surface performance is critical to almost every engineering material, and the ability to apply a durable coating (functional and/or decorative) is a key requirement.
- NPL is one of the leading laboratories in the development of measurement techniques for nano-scale instrumented indentation.