Paper and Paper Machine Felt Studies

MATCO personnel have many years of experience with the analysis of paper structures and coating quality. Unique characterization protocols have been developed to monitor sheet and coating thickness and the distribution of coating components (clay, titania, calcium carbonate, talc, etc.).

Examination of hundreds of paper machine felts led to a unique storehouse of experience and knowledge on felt damage, both mechanical and chemical. That background can go to work for you as you try to reduce the costs of replacing your felts.

Much of this work has been published in various TAPPI-related journals or presented at TAPPI meetings. Donald L. Gibbon was a member of the Paper Microscopists Group which met for several years at PAPRICAN in Vancouver. He presented and taught several of these techniques there.

Contact Dr. Gibbon at 412-788-1263 or e-mail donald.gibbon@matcoinc.com.

ABOUT MATCO

We Value Our Customers... Throughout the years we have noticed that much of our business comes from repeat customers. Our expertise and well-equipped labs can account for much of this, but we believe there is something more to it. We attribute it to the fact that we promote an open and friendly environment that is never too busy to meet your needs. At MATCO, we value your business whether you are a large corporation or a small enterprise. We will provide you with the attention you need and deserve. We invite you to visit us and get to know our staff, and share in the learning experience.

Why Choose MATCO? As a premier testing and failure analysis firms, MATCO Services provides a unique blend of services. MATCO has carried out investigations on thousands of different systems, ranging from jet engines and boiler tubes, to computer components and implants. Projects are conducted on your schedule from initiation to completion by competent and experienced personnel, in a discrete manner that ensures confidentiality.

Typical MATCO's Projects

Although MATCO's work is vital to its clients, it is rarely seen by the public. Here are some examples of recent jobs in which MATCO provided the timely, competent, customer-oriented materials and engineering analysis that made the difference.

Failure Analysis: Complete metallurgical support for a major commercial airline fleet (US Airways) including failure analysis, corrosion investigations, and quality control testing. Bridge and construction failure investigations are also routinly performed at MATCO.

Corrosion Engineering: Cathodic protection system design and installation for a submerged ocean tunnel for the off-loading facility of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) process facility in the United States. Our certified team of corrosion investigators can perform testing to evaluate the integrity of pressure vessels. These include refineries, underground and above ground oil, gas and chemical process facilities. Our team has performed such analyses nation and worldwide, and will travel to your project site at a moment's notice for emergency evaluations.

Paint/Coating Analysis: On-site and laboratory investigation of paint delamination failures (flaking and peeling) on galvanized structural members of several major stadiums in the United States.

On-site Inspection: Our certified team of inspectors can perform non-destructive testing on project sites to evaluate the integrity of large structures.   Such large structure evaluations have included off-shore oil platforms, wind-power generation towers, concrete domes and stadiums, large underground cooling systems, and large elevated water towers. Our projects have taken us from Aloha Stadium in Hawaii to Alyeska Ski Resort in Alaska; from bridges in the Bahamas to titanium structures in Tokyo and evaluation of hurricane damage including roofing, siding, paint and internal water damage for a large apartment complex in Florida.

Environmental Testing: Comparative testing of the resistance of pharmaceutical labels to environmental stresses (MFG, Humidity, and QUV testing) for a major drug company to determine what labels held up the best.

Fire Investigation: Same-day analysis of the effects of a truck fire on the superstructure of a major highway bridge to determine whether or not the highway could remain open.

Explosion Investigations: Failure analysis of a gas main explosion that caused causalities.

Power Plants: Failure analysis and remaining life determination of boiler components in the power industry.

Implant Materials: Electrochemical corrosion evaluation and failure analysis of implant materials such as hips, knees, stents, etc. to improve products and performance.

Galvanized Steel: How microstructure and galvanized layer chemistry affect appearance and corrosion resistance. Prevention and evaluation of storage rust, cracking of galvanized layer, failure of painted galvanized steel. Cabinet salt spray testing, EIS testing of painted galvanized steel and metallurgical characterization tests are routinly performed for galvanized and painted galvanized steel panels.

Poles, Lattice, Tower & Anchor Rods: Inspection and evaluation of galvanized, Cor-Ten (weathering steel) and painted carbon steel structures. Failure analysis, fatigue investigations, protective coating evaluation, life expectancy determination, corrosion evaluation, underground, ground level and above ground were included in these investigations.

R&D: Research and development of new materials, coatings and sensors for the utility, telecommunication, pipeline, construction, and chemical industries.