MSQ Materials Analysis
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The Image Analysis Solution for Metallographic and Materials Science Quality Control
MSQ increases productivity and efficiency by eliminating time-consuming steps involved in analyzing metallographic and materialographic samples. Its user friendly environment provides easy to understand commands and offers image analysis power at the click of a button.

We offer three unique MSQ packages to accommodate a variety of imaging needs:

MSQ Plus The complete set of MSQ analysis tools.
MSQ Express The basic subset of MSQ analysis tools.
MSQ Steel The subset of MSQ analysis tools suited to steel analysis.

MSQ Plus Features

• Archiving
• Grain Size
• Knoop and Vickers
• Brinell
• Single Phase Percent Area
• Multi Phase Percent Area
• Inclusion Rating
• Graphite Measurement
• Thickness Measurement
• Coating Interface
• Degree of Banding Measurement
• Dendritic Arm Spacing
• Dendritic Cell Spacing
• Sphericity Measurement
• Mean Free Path
• Particle Size
• Weld measurement
  

MSQ Express Features

• Archiving
• Grain Size
• Single Phase Percent Area
• Multi Phase Percent Area
• Dendritic Arm Spacing
• Dendritic Cell Spacing
  

MSQ Steel Features

• Archiving
• Grain Size
• Single Phase Percent Area
• Multi Phase Percent Area
• Inclusion Rating
• Graphite Measurement
• Thickness Measurement
• Coating Interface
• Particle Size

MSQ Archiving

MSQ provides complete image archiving functionality in a convenient control panel form. Clearly labeled buttons for simple tasks such as image capture, image saving and opening as well as powerful image database searches and image display options. The control panel can be modified to provide access to exactly the programs your company needs.

• All controls necessary for image archiving are found on the easy to use control panel.
• Set field is used to select a full image or any part of an image for storage.
• A powerful image database program allow pertinent data to be stored along with the image. Saved images can be retrieved and displayed by searching for any combination of data keywords.
• Opening saved images is a one click job.
• Saving images to any computer disk drive is simple.
• Images may be annotated with arrows and text of various sizes, fonts and colors.
• Image brightness and contrast adjustment controls are provided.
• A large number of image filters such as sharpening, smoothing and edge detection are readily available.
• Images may be stored in library albums. Any number of image albums, with user supplied names containing any number of images along with image data may be saved. View a sample image library.
• Create Image Scale Bars.

Key Benefits

• All controls needed for image archiving in one convenient location.
• Control panel may be modified to meet your company's requirements.
• Powerful image database capabilities for easy management of large image libraries.

MSQ Grain Size is a powerful tool for accurately measuring micro structural grain sizes. Using the methods of ASTM Standard E 112 - 88 and Standard E 1382, the MSQ Grain Size quickly calculates grain sizes using either the intercept or the individual grain area method.

Users easily set calibration, choose preparation options and set the desired measurement method. The software provides fast and accurate detection of grain boundaries or grain face areas. Along with ASTM grain size number, MSQ Grain Size can output grain area distributions and many other statistical values in a flexible report format. Grain size numbers and statistical values are immediately displayed and can be sent automatically to a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet for printing or storage.

• All controls necessary for measurement are found on the easy to use control panel shown here.
• Calibration is set by clicking on the "Calibrate" choice in the Dialog Menu Bar.
• On-line help is only a click away.
• All required measurements are displayed in the "Current Field Results" box.
• Immediately and clearly displays grain sizes.
• Current results may be erased by clicking on the "Erase Current Results" button.
• Accumulated grain size statistics are displayed in the "Statistics" box.
• All results may be erased by clicking on the "Erase All Results" button.
• The operator can set any size field area using the Set Field button.
• Easy to use camera on / off switch, or stored file images may be measured.
• Choose any of several preparation functions with a single mouse click.
• Measures grain boundary intercept distances or individual grain areas.
• The operator may edit individual images allowing accurate measurements to be made even on difficult samples.
• Complete measurement results along with statistics may be viewed by clicking on the File option in the dialog Menu Bar.
• Results are also sent to an Excel spreadsheet - "Grainrpt.xls". Click here to display results spreadsheet.
• An additional button, "Duplex", is found at the bottom of the control panel. Use the "Duplex" button to start the programs designed to calculate duplex grain sizes. See ASTM E1181 for a description of "characterizing duplex grain sizes".

Key Benefits

• Fast, accurate grain size measurements
• Immediate results reporting
• Conforms to ASTM E 112, E 1382 and E 1181 standards

MSQ Single Phase Percent Area Measurement

Forget about tedious and inaccurate manual point counting. If your specifications require percent area measurements of a single structural phase, use MSQ's Single Phase Percent Area Measurement capability.

• Clearly labeled control buttons, not cryptic icon graphics.
• Selectable field size.
• Easy to use camera on and off switch, or stored file images may be measured.
• Measurement with the click of one button.
• All required measurements are displayed in the "Results" area.
• Complete statistical results are calculated according to the ASTM E562 standard.
• Results may be erased by clicking on the "Click here to Zero" button.
• Efficiently measure any material structure.
• Percent area displayed immediately.
• Color overlay shows exactly what has been measured.
• Easy to use point and click operation allow the operator to produce % area measurements fast and accurately.
• All measurements and statistical results are sent automatically to an Excel report. The report may be changed to any format, saved and printed. See sample report below.

Key Benefits

• Easy to use controls
• Accurate and fast calculation of measurements and statistics
• Flexible results reporting: Output to Microsoft Excel®

Sample Report:

MSQ Multiple Phase Percent Area Measurement

Forget about tedious and inaccurate manual point counting. If your specifications require percent area measurements of porosity or any structural phase, use MSQ's Multiple Phase Percent Area Measurement capability. Measure volume fraction or percent area easily and accurately.

• Clearly labeled control buttons, not cryptic icon graphics.
• Selectable field size.
• Easy to use camera on and off switch, or stored file images may be measured.
• Measurement with the click of one button.
• All required measurements are displayed in the "Results" area.
• Complete statistical results are calculated according to the ASTM E562 standard.
• Results may be erased by clicking on the "Reset to Zero" button.
• Measure up to 5 phases simultaneously.
• Percent areas for all phases displayed immediately.
• Color overlays show exactly what has been measured.
• Easy to use point and click operation allow the operator to produce % area measurements fast and accurately.
• All measurements and statistical results are sent automatically to an Excel report. The report may be changed to any format, saved and printed. See sample report below.

Key Benefits

• Easy to use controls
• Accurate and fast calculation of measurements and statistics
• Flexible results reporting: Output to Microsoft Excel®

Sample Report

MSQ Inclusion Rating

MSQ Inclusion Rating is designed to produce ASTM E45 Method A and Method D inclusion ratings for inclusion types A, B, C and D. The details of the standard are found in the ASTM Annual Book of Standards, Volume 03.01. This tool also follows the standards described in ASTM Practice E 1122.

• Eliminate tedious manual and chart comparisons. Inclusions are measured and rated quickly and accurately.
• The control panel has early labeled buttons, not cryptic icon graphics.
• Selectable field size.
• Set reject levels for automatic logging of any rejectable inclusions.
• Easy to set controls for detecting both sulfide and oxide type inclusions.
• Rate live samples using camera on and off switch, or stored file images may be measured.
• Measurement with the click of one button. Can be used with virually any microscope or metallograph, manual or automatic stage
• Number of fields rated and total area rated are constantly displayed.
• Convenient controls for correcting uneven illumination.
• Both Method A and Method D reports can be produced.
• Results are immediately displayed. Click on the View Results button for an example.
• All measurements and statistical results are sent automatically to an Excel report. The report may be changed to any format, saved and printed. See sample report below

Key Benefits

• Easy to use controls
• Accurate and fast measurements of inclusion types A, B, C and D
• Flexible results reporting: Output to Microsoft Excel®

MSQ Graphite Measurement

MSQ's Graphite Measurement tools are designed to make measurement and reporting quick and easy. Reports are created in Microsoft Excel® and are easily customized. Reports may be quickly viewed, saved, or printed.

Key Benefits

• Either nodular or gray iron can be measured
• Percent ferrite and pearlite on etched samples can be measured
• Flexible results reporting: Output to Microsoft Excel®

MSQ Coating or Layer Thickness Measurement

The MSQ thickness measurement program is designed to measure the thickness of layers, coatings or depths of linear structures. Measurements are performed by constructing a series of parallel section lines. Total thickness of discontinuous structures may be measured.

The number of measurements per field is controlled by the operator. The program finds the minimum and the maximum thickness and calculates the average thickness along with other statistical results. Measures are reported in any operator selected unit. Measurements and statistics are accumulated over multiple fields of view and may be copied into the Windows Clipboard for pasting into other software applications.

• Eliminate tedious and subjective measurement methods. The control panel has early labeled buttons, not cryptic icon graphics.
• Measure "live" samples using camera mounted on microscope or metallograph or stored file images may be measured.
• Selectable and movable field size.
• Automatic construction of measurement section lines.
• Filter out unwanted image noise.
• Multiple thickness measurements are produced with one click.
• Complete results are immediately displayed.
• Convenient controls managing measurements.
• All measurements and statistical results are sent automatically to an Excel report. The report may be changed to any format, saved and printed. See sample report below.

MSQ Degree of Banding Measurement

MSQ's banding measurement tool follows the ASTM E 1268 standard for quantitative measurement of the degree of microstructural banding or orientation. The program provides a user selectable test line grid pattern, phase detection and calculation of all required statistics.

• Clearly labeled control buttons, not cryptic icon graphics.
• Easy to access calibration control.
• Selectable field size.
• User selectable grid line density.
• Easy to use camera on and off switch, can be used with virtually any microscope or metallograph or stored file images may be measured.
• Measurement with the click of one button.
• Program automatically draws grid lines both parallel and perpendicular to the deformation direction, then counts the number of times the test lines intersect a particle, phase or constituent boundary.
• Test results are displayed immediately. All required statistical results are calculated including the anisotropy index and the degree of orientation.
• Test results may be erased by clicking on the "Clear Test Report" button.

Key Benefits

• Easy to use controls
• Any number of test lines may be specified
• All required results are immediately calculated

MSQ Dendritic Arm Spacing

MSQ's dendritic arm spacing tool measures the spacing of dendrite arm structures. The operator draws any number of section lines which intersect the dendrite arms at approximately right angles. The program automatically finds the center line of each dendrite arm intersected by the test line.

Arm center to center distances are calculated and mean, standard deviation and variance statistical values are calculated. Individual spacing measurements may be displayed. All measurements are accumulated until the Clear Data button is clicked. The program may be used to measure the distance between any repeating linear structure such as pearlite lamellae.

• All controls necessary for measurement are found on the easy to use control panel.
• Set markers function allows operator to fine tune the program to find any dendrite pattern.
• Easy to use camera on and off switch for acquiring images from microscope or metallograph, or stored file images may be measured.
• Begin measurements by clicking on the "Draw Line" button. Any number of test lines may be constructed.
• The operator may add or delete individual marks after each line is drawn, allowing accurate measurements to be made even on difficult samples.
• All measurements and statistics are immediately displayed in the "Results" box.
• All results may be erased by clicking on the "Clear Data" button.
• Any number of fields may be measured.
• All individual arm spacing measurements may be displayed by clicking on the "List Measurements" button.

Key Benefits

• Fast, accurate arm spacing measurements
• Immediate results reporting
• Results may be copied into any report format

MSQ Sphericity Measurement

MSQ's sphericity feature provides an easy to use method of calculating the sphericity or roundness of second phase particles, porosity or other objects. Sphericity is calculated using three different formulas.

• Clearly labeled control buttons, not cryptic icon graphics.
• Easy to use camera on and off switch, can be used with virtually any microscope or metallograph or stored file images may be measured.
• Selectable field size.
• Measurement with the click of one button.
• Results may be erased by clicking on the "Reset to Zero" button.
• Percent Sphericity calculated using thee common equations.
• Shape factor measurements use the formula: 4 * Pi * object area divided by object perimeter squared to calculate roundness. The operator can select any minimum shape factor for establishing sphericity. All object counts and % sphericity data are displayed in the "Shape factor results.." area.
• Cir factor measurements use the formula: Pi * maximum object diameter squared divided by 4 * object area to calculate roundness. The operator can select any minimum cir factor for establishing sphericity. All object counts and % sphericity data are displayed in the "Cir factor results.." area.
• Circularity factor measurements use the formula: object perimeter squared divided by object area to calculate roundness. The operator can select any minimum circularity factor for establishing sphericity. All object counts and % sphericity data are displayed in the "Circularity factor results.." area.
• All measurements and statistical results are sent automatically to an Excel report. The report may be changed to any format, saved and printed. See sample report below.

Key Benefits

• Easy to use controls
• Accurate and fast calculation of sphericity using three formulas
• Flexible results reporting: Output to Microsoft Excel