Introduction
2025 has been a year of investment, collaboration and growth for ASAMS Ltd. As an independent ISO 17025 UKAS accredited metals testing laboratory No. 0935, we have continued to strengthen our in-house capabilities while supporting clients across energy, construction, manufacturing and major infrastructure projects.
From new equipment on the shop floor to partnerships with universities and research organisations, our focus remains the same: delivering accurate, reliable test data with clear, practical interpretation for our clients.
Investing in capability: new band saw for larger and more complex samples
To improve turnaround times and increase the range of work we can support, we invested in a new band saw during 2025. This upgrade enables us to cut a wider variety of materials and sizes in-house, including larger and more complex coupons required for demanding test programmes.
For our clients, this means:
- More efficient test piece preparation – reducing delays between receipt of samples and the start of testing.
- Improved handling of complex geometries – helping us support challenging projects and specialist components.
- Reduced bottlenecks in sample preparation – allowing us to plan capacity more effectively around your key milestones.
This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to maintain a robust, flexible laboratory capable of supporting both day-to-day production testing and one-off investigative work.
Making the most of flexible scope accreditation
ASAMS continues to operate with a partially flexible scope of ISO 17025 accreditation, giving our clients greater confidence and agility when projects or materials change. Within this defined scope, we can apply accredited methods to a broader range of materials and test conditions, helping you keep programmes moving without compromising quality.
In practice, a flexible scope helps you to:
- Cover a wider variety of projects and specifications without needing to change laboratory or sub-contract testing.
- Respond more quickly to new materials or design updates, particularly in fast-moving sectors such as renewables and advanced manufacturing.
- Maintain confidence in test data, knowing that methods are controlled within an independently assessed quality system.
If you are unsure whether a particular material, test or standard falls within our accredited scope, our team is always happy to advise and outline the available options.
Supporting innovation, education and major projects
Alongside routine testing, 2025 has also seen ASAMS contribute to several technically important and strategically significant activities:
Additive manufacturing research with TWI
We have been involved in an additive manufacturing project in collaboration with TWI, providing metals testing support to help characterise advanced processes and materials. This work is expanding understanding of how additively manufactured components behave in service and how best to qualify them for safety-critical applications. We look forward to sharing more about this project in early 2026.
First testing support for Sizewell C
ASAMS is proud to have completed our first testing work for the Sizewell C project. Contributing our metals testing expertise to such a nationally significant infrastructure development underlines the trust placed in our laboratory and our team’s ability to deliver reliable data for complex, regulated projects.
Supporting future engineers at Cranfield University
In 2025 we also supported four Cranfield University Masters students with their thesis projects. By providing practical insight into materials behaviour, testing and failure analysis in an industrial setting, we aim to help develop the next generation of engineers and materials specialists.
These activities reflect our long-term commitment to innovation, education and collaboration with both industry and academia.
Looking ahead to 2026
As we move into 2026, our focus remains on:
- Maintaining high standards of quality and customer service.
- Continuing to invest in equipment and capability where it will have the greatest impact for clients.
- Supporting technically challenging projects through clear communication, accurate testing and sound metallurgical advice.
If you are planning testing for upcoming tenders, shutdowns or development programmes, we would be pleased to discuss how ASAMS can support you. Please get in touch with our team to talk through your requirements.