1. → ESA-RAL ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
LABORATORY
WHAT IS ITS ROLE?
The ESA-RAL Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory provides expertise to
investigate and optimise advanced materials and manufacturing
processes in support of cutting-edge research and development. Support
is provided on a range of topics including:
• Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM)
• Joining Technologies
• Materials Processing
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WHAT SERVICES DOES IT OFFER?
Services on offer include:
• Powder characterisation
• Metrology
• Microstructural characterisation and heat treatment
• Mechanical testing and failure analysis
• Non-destructive residual stress measurement
• A gateway for accessing some of the extensive on-site testing
facilities based on the Harwell campus
WHO ARE ITS
CUSTOMERS?
Test services available
to the European space
community and
industry
ALM optimised design of antenna mount
Rotary friction joining of Al tank to Ti tubing
Microstructure of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel
316L stainless steel (AM) after tensile testing
Micro-hardness testing
Scanning electron microscopy
Harwell Campus

2. → ESA/RAL ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
LABORATORY
HOW IS IT EQUIPPED?
The ESA/RAL Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory combines a range of
state-of-the-art research equipment and techniques:
• Powder characterisation – apparent and tap density, flowability,
powder size distribution and morphology
• Additive Layer manufacturing – EOS M290: parts built in stainless
steel, Ti and Al alloys, Inconel, etc.
• Metrology – high accuracy dimensional measurements and surface
texture analysis
• Mechanical testing – Tensile testing at elevated and cryogenic
temperatures, hardness, Fractographic analysis
• Optical and scanning electron microscopy – microstructural
observation of internal porosity, cracks, volumetric defects and grain
morphology as well as compositional analysis (Energy Dispersive X-
ray Spectroscopy)
• Metallographic sample preparation – sectioning, mounting, grinding,
polishing, etching
• 3D X-ray tomography – building 3D models of materials and
components from radiographic scanning techniques to identify
internal defects
• Heat treatment – air, inert gas and vacuum furnaces up to 1600°C
• X-ray diffraction – crystal structure and phase analysis
• Residual stress measurements – neutron diffraction, XRD
• High-energy laser facilities – nondestructive testing and laser
microscopy, spectroscopy
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HOW DO I FIND OUT
MORE?
Please contact:
tommaso.ghidini@esa.int
or
andrew.barnes@esa.int
Scanning electron microscope
Furnace
XRD
Powder characterisation
Sample preparation