The automotive and aerospace industries rely on a wide range of materials, ranging from polypropylene body parts to multilayer alloy coatings on engine components, to meet stringent consumer and legal requirements. With commercial, military and space sectors all having stringent standards of materials quality, product performance and safety.

Environmental legislation on VOCs, chlorinated solvents and low-toxicity processes coupled with improved impact safety standards has led to the introduction of many new materials. In addition consumer demands have necessitated new methods of achieving superb cosmetic appearance and toughness with near zero reject rates.

Areas such as Lubrication, Wear, Paint defects and Electrical component failure have all been investigated by surface and depth profiling techniques.