Independent testing laboratory for material characterization, failure analysis and on-site investigations of wear, corrosion and fractures.
LOM GmbH – Labor für Oberflächen & Materialien
Oberbüren (CH) · mobile / worldwideNew on Amplifa
What we stand for
LOM GmbH is an independent competence center for materials technology issues based in Oberbüren, Switzerland. The company supports customers with all topics relating to wear, corrosion and fractures – from development and materials consulting to failure analysis, residue analysis and the preparation of expert reports. The 600 m² laboratory offers modern analytical equipment, including REM/EDX with LaB6 cathode, GD-OES, X-ray diffraction (XRD), tribology test rigs, metallography, hardness testers as well as electrochemistry and corrosion test systems. Investigations are carried out worldwide via a mobile on-site service, among other things with portable microscopes and non-destructive sampling techniques. A particular specialty is inspections of sprinkler systems: LOM co-developed the officially recognized test method for assessing the condition of sprinkler pipes and offers laboratory testing as well as on-site inspections with video endoscopy, ultrasound and electrochemical measurements. The team of Swiss-trained specialists also develops customized test and inspection methods and test rigs, and offers seminars and workshops.
- Site
- Oberbüren
- Processes
- Material and product testing / material characterization, REM/EDX analysis (scanning electron microscopy with EDX), GD-OES (glow discharge optical emission spectrometry), XRD (X-ray diffraction), Tribological investigations (Tribology Center), On-site inspection, Metallography, Hardness measurements
- Materials
- Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Tribology (Tribology Center), Metallography, Hardness measurement, Electrochemistry and corrosion tests, Ultrasonic measurements
- Certificates
- Certified (deliberately not accredited), internal monitoring systems and, Certified (deliberately not accredited), Traceable reference samples, Internal monitoring systems
- Industries
- Mechanical and plant engineering, Sprinkler / fire protection engineering, Companies with issues relating to wear, corrosion and fractures, Companies with questions about wear, corrosion and fractures
- 01
Initial consultation and problem definition
- 02
Material characterization in the laboratory or on-site investigation
- 03
Failure analysis and root cause determination
- 04
Materials consulting and solution development
- 05
Expert report / expert opinion and implementation support
Testing methods and analytical techniques
Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
Analysis of surfaces, damage and elemental compositions with LaB6 cathode.
Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry
Depth profile analysis of coatings and surfaces.
X-ray diffraction
Phase analysis and microstructure examination of materials.
Tribology (Tribology Center)
Investigation of friction and wear on test rigs.
Metallography
Microstructure assessment on polished samples.
Hardness measurement
Testing of the hardness of materials and components.
Electrochemistry and corrosion tests
Characterization of corrosion behavior and corrosion protection.
Ultrasonic measurements
Non-destructive wall thickness measurement, usable on pipes on a mobile basis.
Video endoscopy
High-resolution internal inspection, e.g. of sprinkler pipes.
Potentiometry / linear polarization
Electrochemical measurement of corrosion rates, also mobile.
Water and fiber analytics
Analysis of water and fiber samples, among other things for sprinkler systems.
Laboratory and locations
Oberbüren
CHLaboratory with testing and analysis equipment
- REM/EDX with LaB6 cathode
- GD-OES
- XRD X-ray diffractometer
- Tribology test rigs (Tribology Center)
- Metallography equipment
- Hardness testers
- Electrochemistry / corrosion test system
Services
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material and product testing / material characterizationTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| REM/EDX analysis (scanning electron microscopy with EDX)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| GD-OES (glow discharge optical emission spectrometry)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| XRD (X-ray diffraction)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Tribological investigations (Tribology Center)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| On-site inspectionTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| MetallographyTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Hardness measurementsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| ElectrochemistryTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Corrosion testsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Failure analysis (wear, corrosion, fractures, cracks)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Residue analysisTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Expert opinion / expert reportEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Materials consulting (development, redesign, failure case)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| On-site service (mobile analyses, non-destructive sampling)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sprinkler system condition assessment / pipe segment inspectionTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Video endoscopy (high-resolution)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ultrasonic measurementsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Potentiometry / linear polarizationTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Water and fiber analyticsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Development of customized test and inspection methods / test rigsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Seminars & workshopsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
11 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REM/EDX (scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, LaB6 cathode) | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren (600 m² laboratory) |
| GD-OES | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren (600 m² laboratory) |
| XRD (X-ray diffractometer) | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren (600 m² laboratory) |
| Tribology test rigs (Tribology Center) | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren |
| Metallography equipment | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren |
| Hardness testers | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren |
| Electrochemistry / corrosion test system | – | – | – | – | Oberbüren |
| Portable microscopes (mobile) | – | – | – | – | mobile / worldwide |
| Ultrasonic measuring devices (mobile) | – | – | – | – | mobile |
| Video endoscope (high-resolution, mobile) | – | – | – | – | mobile |
| Potentiometry / linear polarization (mobile) | – | – | – | – | mobile |
Additional services
Quality
LOM is deliberately not accredited, but certified. Traceable reference samples are used for every measurement, and internal monitoring systems are employed to assess the trustworthiness of the results.
| Evidence | Oberbüren |
|---|---|
| Certified (deliberately not accredited) | |
| Traceable reference samples | |
| Internal monitoring systems |
Development
Co-development and definition of the officially recognized method for assessing the condition of sprinkler pipes in Switzerland, together with two other laboratories