Alloy identification and analysis is an essential aspect of numerous industrial applications, ranging from scrap metal recycling to the manufacture of special steels for aircraft engines. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is one method that can be used for alloy analysis. The advantages of XRF have established the technique as an industry standard.

The uniaxial tensile test is one of the most common material tests performed. It is employed most often to measure one or more of the following properties of a material: modulus, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, Poisson’s ratio, elongation to failure and reduction of area. Several ASTM standards are available to provide guidance on performing tensile tests. Three of the most common standards are ASTM E8 for metallic materials, ASTM D3039 for polymer matrix composite materials and ASTM D638 for unreinforced and reinforced plastics.

As integral as machine vision has become to such industries as food and beverage packaging, printing and automotive parts, industry analysts projected its across-the-board growth in the manufacturing sector through 2006 at about 9% annually.