Phoenix National Laboratories

Welding might seem like just a way to stick metal together, but it's so much more! It's the backbone of everything from towering skyscrapers to the cars we drive, to the very rockets that take us to space! You see, welding technology is all about precision, strength, and reliability. When two pieces of metal are welded together, they form a bond that's often stronger than the original metal itself. This process isn't just about heat and sparks; it's a blend of chemistry, physics, and engineering all working together to create structures that can withstand the test of time. Without welding, modern infrastructure as we know it wouldn't exist. No bridges, no buildings, no pipelines—nothing! It's what holds the world together, literally. You can read the article on Welding Technology at: https://lnkd.in/gwH7ruRa

Rebar—short for reinforcing bar—is the unsung hero in our buildings, bridges, and tunnels. It's what gives concrete structures that extra strength to withstand enormous forces like earthquakes, loads, and time itself! But hey! Not all rebar is created equal! That’s why we need to test it before we use it in our buildings or roadways. Rebar testing is like giving your steel a check-up! We do things like tensile tests, bend tests, and corrosion tests to make sure it's tough enough for the job. It’s like pulling on a rope to see if it’ll snap—or bending a twig to see how flexible it is. We wanna make sure this stuff is strong, flexible, and won’t corrode over time. You can read about our ADOT approved capabilities at: https://lnkd.in/gjnPCadX #rebartesting

We were at the ultimate playground for engineers— a mechanical testing lab! It's open house day, which means you get to see all the incredible machines and experiments up close and personal. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the world of force, stress, strain, weld testing and... kaboom! Testing! This machine here? It's a tensile tester. It's stretching this piece of metal to see how much it can take before it gives up. Think of it like pulling a piece of taffy, but way stronger—and way more science! Read the article on PNL Open house: https://lnkd.in/g-9F-Rhr

Hey there, Science Builders! Today, we're going to explore something super cool—how we use our eyes to keep our construction projects safe and sound. That's right! We're talking about Visual Testing, or VT, one of the simplest but most important ways to inspect materials and structures. With VT, we carefully examine every inch of the material—whether it's steel beams, concrete, or welds—to spot any defects. And here's the best part: we don't need any fancy gadgets or complicated machines. All we need are our trusty eyes (and maybe a magnifying glass or flashlight)! Read the article on VT at: https://lnkd.in/gZfHngSB

A good time was had by all showing off our lab technologies at our Open House! Young and old came to discover the wonders of our 38,000 square foot lab! Thank you, Tempe Chamber of Commerce for your Ribbon Cutting Event! 

Pearlite is a two-phase microstructure that forms in some steels and cast irons when iron-carbon alloys cool slowly. Let’s unravel the mystery of pearlite in cast iron. Picture this: you've got yourself some molten iron, super-hot and ready to take on the world. Now, when this molten iron cools down, it doesn't just freeze up like ice. Instead, it forms little islands of pure iron crystals surrounded by carbon. These islands are like tiny fortresses in a sea of carbon-rich material. This layered structure is what we call pearlite. Read about our Materials Analysis services in the article: https://lnkd.in/gEuQbPjv

Hats off! When it comes to being a CR geek, he is your man! PNL can expedite and surpass expectations for your quality team in a jiffy! Read his Tech Talk recognition in the newsletter article: https://lnkd.in/gdyS849Q

We hope to see you at our Open House on Friday July 26th 3 PM to 7PM! It will be a science and engineering geek fest! Our July 2024 Quality Examiner enumerates the details of our upcoming July 26th Open House, explores issues surrounding working in extreme heat in both our Safety Tip and Tech Talk articles, introduces Guided Wave Testing technology for pipelines, and Code Corner looks at the details regarding welding temperatures. Read the July 2024 Quality Examiner Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gtUhmETE

Special inspections in construction are like the secret agents of building safety, working behind the scenes to ensure everything is up to snuff! These inspections involve highly trained professionals checking critical components of a structure, from the foundation to the finishing touches. It's all about making sure buildings are safe, sturdy, and ready to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws their way. Think of them as the guardians of construction, keeping us all safe and sound in our factories, offices, and skyscrapers. Read the Code Corner article Who signs off on special Inspections? https://lnkd.in/g4cffq3P #specialinspections

Watch out! because we're about to take a journey into the electrifying world of the Arizona monsoon season! Now, picture this: you're in the desert, surrounded by towering saguaro cacti and rugged mountains, when suddenly, the sky transforms into a swirling canvas of dark clouds, and boom! Thunder roars and lightning crackles across the horizon. And let's not forget about the dust storms, or haboobs, that can accompany the monsoon season. These massive walls of dust sweeping across the desert might look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they're just another wild side effect of the monsoon's power. You can read the safety tip article on monsoons at: https://lnkd.in/giUqvS8b