In our article series « Testia Experts », we present short interviews with our employees – the experts that really make Testia what it is. In this issue we speak with Mathieu Cathala, Team Leader for Materials & Processes, NDT studies & qualification.
You can also watch this video interview on YouTube.
Can you introduce yourself and your career path at Testia?
My name is Mathieu Cathala.I am the project leader for “Materials & Processes” and “NDT Engineering” activities at Testia in Toulouse.
I started working in 2017 after completing a Master’s degree in materials for aeronautics.My first experience was with a service company, during which I discovered failure analysis at the Airbus laboratory, D41.
Then, in 2020, I was hired by Testia to work in failure analysis. However, with the pandemic, M&P activities were scaled back so I took this opportunity to learn a new profession. After some rather intense training, I became an ultrasonic testing instructor for Testia. I did that for about a year and after the pandemic, I returned to my M&P activities at the D41 laboratory, supporting the Airbus teams where I performed failure analysis.
Then, in 2023, I took over the role of Materials and Processes project leader and in 2024, the position of NDT Engineering project leader.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Materials and Processes (M&P)?
I discovered materials during my DUT (Technical Degree) in Physical Measurement, which I was doing in Toulouse at the time. I enjoyed it so it guided the rest of my studies. That is why I pursued a Master’s in materials.
Later, I discovered failure analysis somewhat by chance during my first professional experience, when I was sent to Airbus as a service provider.
I immediately took an interest in it! What I like about failure analysis is, first of all, the experimental side in the laboratory, conducting experiments; while another part involves reporting and determining how to solve the problem.
What I really like is the investigative side consisting in finding the root cause of a failure. To do that, we need to gather all the context, conduct the investigation in the laboratory, perform analyses under a microscope or use other means to understand why it failed.
Finally, we have to put it all into a nice report to explain the “hows and whys”.
If we were to shadow you for a day, what would be the highlight of your routine?
What I like most about my job now as project leader, is that within the same day I might perform an analysis such as a failure analysis or a microscopic analysis, in our laboratory and, I might as well respond to a call for tenders from a client or work with the teams to solve daily issues.
The activities are very diverse. There is a technical side as well as a relational side, which I find very pleasant.
You have recently opened a new laboratory in Toulouse. Could you walk us through its main activities?
Yes, we are setting up a materials characterization laboratory in Toulouse. So far, we have acquired a binocular magnifier, an optical microscope, and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). We now have a major “microscopy” hub with state-of-the-art equipment.
The idea is to characterize materials and perform microstructural analyses. For instance, we can measure coating thickness, characterize welds as well as performing a wide range of observations and analyses.
We will also receive static mechanical testing equipment anytime soon to perform mechanical tests.
We chose versatile equipment to handle a variety of workloads, and we will soon release a catalog describing all the analyses we can perform in the laboratory.
What sets this laboratory apart from others in the field?
The laboratory is new, but our teams are experienced, both in microstructural characterization and mechanical testing.
I would say that what differentiates us is that we are not just an industrial laboratory.
We are committed to being close to our clients and offering tailor-made solutions for each analysis, all while ensuring the best possible responsiveness.
For a student looking to break into NDT or M&P, what advice would you give?
Regarding the Materials & Processes field, I would recommend studying materials science to build a strong foundation and understand the various challenges of this profession.
Furthermore, if you have the opportunity to do several internships in different laboratories to gain experience in materials characterization, that would definitely be a plus.
As for NDT, Testia is a training and examination center. So, there is the possibility of undergoing training and obtaining certifications later on. There is also the “Lycée Airbus”. For example, we currently have an apprentice in our engineering team who comes from there.
Could you walk us through the equipment available in your lab?
We are equipped with a binocular magnifier which allows us to perform initial acquisitions at magnifications ranging from 2.5x to 100x. This binocular is equipped with a camera to capture photos for technical reports. We also have a large stand to accommodate significant parts.
Next, we have an upright optical microscope. We chose an upright model rather than an inverted one for greater versatility. This microscope allows us to perform a wide range of characterizations. For example, we can measure grain size or layer thickness. We can also perform particle analysis thanks to the polarized camera.
Such a microscope allows us to perform more advanced analyses with lenses ranging from 50x to 1000x magnification. It is also equipped with a fully motorized stage.
We also invested in a conventional Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This allows us to take photos at very high magnifications, up to 200,000x.
This allows us to conduct failure analysis-type studies. We can analyze powders or particles.
It is also equipped with an EDX detector, which enables micro-analysis to determine the chemical composition of the materials
Thanks to this detector, we perform semi-quantitative analysis, so we can provide percentage ranges for the various elements present in the material.
Watch the video interview YouTube
Thanks for taking the time for this interview!
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