Northwest Laboratories almost defies definition. We are, by all accounts, a unique organization of skilled professionals adept in applying science to real life situations. Our history starts in Seattle, Washington during the Alaska Gold Rush of 1896. We then assayed gold for miners. Today, we test, analyze, identify and/or solve thousands of problems for industry, business, as well as the insurance and legal communities. We can return results with the speed of the internet and the accuracy of the most up-to-date testing methods.

Our expertise can be divided into the following areas: Forensics, Metallurgy, Chemical Analysis, Physical Testing, and Products Testing.

Click here to review the ASTM Standards we offer.

Specifically, we provide testing of the following:

Physical Testing:

• Aggregates: wear, soundness and hardness
• Bend test for metals and welds
• Fiberglass testing per NAVSEA and U.S.C.G.
• Hardness tests:
  1. Micro
  2. Rockwell superficial
  3. Rockwell
  4. Brinell
  5. Shore (plastics and rubber)
  6. Portable testing instruments
• Impact strength of metals (Charpy V Notch)
• Material certifications
• Micro and macro examination of welds and metals
• Proof load testing
• Prototype testing
• Rope & cordage

Chemical compostion testing for:

• ASR (Alkali - Slilica Reactivity)
• Cements and pozzolanic cements
• Coating
  • Performance Testing
  • Failure Analysis
  • Identification
• Compound identification
• Corrosion analysis
• Fasteners, coating and performance
• Foreign material identification
• Metals and alloys identification
• Minerals and Ores
• Paints
• Petroleum products
• Plastics
• Reinforced plastics (fiberglass, etc.)
• Special problem consulting services
• Wear metals & Lubrication Analysis

Products testing of:

• Artificial turf in the laboratory and in the field
• Car racing safety
• Compliance testing
• Endurance testing
• Furniture & beds
• Playground surfaces (including ADA compliance to ASTM F1951 and F1292)
• Proof load testing
• Sports equipment
• Thermal cycling
• Tools, jacks & lifts

Metallurgical failure analyses of:

• Assist in research and design
• Corrosion and erosion problems
• Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis
• Hardness and microhardness testing
• Macro and microscopic examinations and digital documentation
• Metallurgical Evaluation of Industrial Components
• Metallurgical failure analysis
• Non-destructive testing
• Quality control for heat treatments
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis
• Secure web share folders are available for remote projects
• Weld evaluation

Forensic science expert witness; cause & failure anaylsis for:

• Artificial turf & playground surfaces
• Consumer products
• Explosions
• Fire and arson
• Marine related failures
• Material failures
• Medical apparatus & devices
• Pedestrian safety
• Sports equipment

  Due to the nature of our business, there is a great deal of interaction and cooperation between departments. Each area backs up and supports the other with additional or needed data to help resolve a question or problem. Experts sharing experience with experts. It's how we like to work. Using knowledge, applied science and old-fashioned ingenuity we strive for the correct conclusion.

  It is no accident we are asked to testify in courts of law as experts in our field. It also goes without saying all work done is kept in strictest confidence.

  One last point, we only accept those jobs we feel qualified to do. Often we get problems others can't solve or have tried to solve, yet have failed. However, we have no qualms about admitting when we feel we are not fully qualified.