Exova Aberdeen has held an open day to launch its revamped Aberdeen laboratory.

The open day took place on Wednesday 25 May and was hosted by Exova global director of corrosion, Dr Chris Fowler. Over 35 Exova clients attended and were treated to technical presentations and facility tours.

The business has invested over £100,000 to expand its range of Oil and Gas services to now include fracture mechanics testing for its international offshore clients. It has also recruited four new employees, including the appointment of a metallurgist which enhances the failure investigation capability within the business.

Jason Clark, Exova’s general manager of Energy in Scotland and the North East, said: "The open day was a great success and gave our clients the opportunity to have a look at the much improved facilities. Oil and Gas is one of the most significant markets for Exova, with laboratories in nearly every major industry centre around the world, and the Aberdeen facility has become the flagship laboratory.

"The investment comes at a time when we are consolidating our position as one of the leading Oil and Gas testing organisations in the world and the expansion and improvement of our testing services will hugely benefit our locally-based and global offshore clients."

The service offering within the laboratory has expanded with the introduction of elevated tensile testing, crack tip open displacement testing (CTOD) and investment in a scanning electron microscope.

The investment in the fracture mechanics service further advances the laboratory’s already comprehensive welding capabilities. The introduction of the elevated tensile testing also allows businesses to determine the materials characteristics when testing at temperatures above room temperature.

The addition of CTOD testing at a local level further compliments Exova’s already extensive range of testing, enhancing the business as leaders in materials analysis.

The laboratory also offers for the very first time scanning electron microscope testing, an essential tool for investigative failure and forensic analysis.

In addition to the new services, the UKAS accredited Aberdeen laboratory provides a range of corrosion, mechanical and metallurgical tests for metals and metal products as well as being home to a welding centre of excellence.

The welding centre offers an expansive range of services including welding engineering, support on welding processes, materials and mechanical testing, welder testing and third party certification.

Exova’s Edinburgh laboratory supports the Aberdeen facility to serve the Oil and Gas industry, with tests for material and welding procedure qualification.