The laboratory is equipped with a Zeiss Axio Imager Vario optical microscope with a motorized stage. Five objective lenses of respectively 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x and 100x enable magnifications up to 1000x. The microscope is also equipped with a polarizer. Acquisitions are processed using the ZenCore v 3.3 software, which offers several features including extended image mosaics and focus stacking for optimum subject sharpness at large magnifications. This microscope is mainly used at LAPA to observe polished sections of metal samples, before and after metallographic etching. It is also suitable for observing lithic materials (concrete, metallurgical slag, rock, etc.).
A Qness A10+ microdurometer enables automated, programmable hardness testing. It is possible to carry out isolated measurements, transects or complete surface mappings. The instrument can perform Vickers or Knoop hardness tests. Observations and measures are made using 4x, 20x, 40x and 65x objective lenses. The load applied to the indenter varies from 0.005 to 10 kg. Hardness maps are processed from the mappings using the QPIX software. Automatic reports may also be generated through this software.
