ISPECO among its services also offers this structural investigation technique, based on the use of an acetate sheet (film or replica) on a specially prepared test surface, for recording or analyzing the microstructure of the surface which includes inhomogeneity, mechanical and metallurgical anomalies of the test surface.

After suitable surface preparation, through the use of specific kits (acetate, resins, etc.), a copy (therefore a "replica") of the microstructure of the metal surface to be examined is performed, after which the optical observation is carried out using an optical microscope or SEM scanning.

Main uses Exchangers, manifolds, boilers and furnaces are checked, i.e. metal structures that present deformation problems and structural changes due to operation at high temperatures to monitor the life of the component and prevent breakage in operation.

Components that have undergone breakages in operation not due to high temperatures are checked to check the correct structure of the material (check correct supply) and verify the causes of the problem.