Materials Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis Services
Our materials engineers and failure analysts provide independent
expert opinions regarding materials failure analysis. Our analyst
approach is to examine or test materials to evaluate the cause
of your product failure. Our engineers can identify the root
cause of your component failure. Features of Metallurgical Consultants
root cause failure analysis capabilities include:
*Analysis conducted by registered professional engineers
*Root cause failure analysis determination
*Photographic documentation
*Broad failure analysis experience
*Failure mode identification
*Fracture evaluations
*Identification of product defects
Failure Analysis Investigation
Failure of a component indicates it has become completely or
partially unusable or has deteriorated to the point that it
is undependable or unsafe for normal sustained service.
Typical Root Cause Failure Mechanisms
*Fatigue failures
*Corrosion failures
*Stress corrosion cracking
*Ductile and brittle fractures
*Hydrogen embrittlement
*Liquid metal embrittlement
*Creep and stress rupture
It is possible for fracture to be a result of multiple failure
mechanisms or root causes. A failure analysis can provide the
information to identify the appropriate root cause of the failure.
failure analysis - Ductile fracture, scanning electron microscope
picture.jpg (12571 bytes) failure analysis - scc 2 stress corrosion
cracking.jpg (21403 bytes)
Common Causes of Failure
*Misuse or Abuse
*Assembly errors
*Manufacturing defects
*Improper maintenance
*Fastener failure
*Design errors
*Improper material
*Improper heat treatments
*Unforeseen operating conditions
*Inadequate quality assurance
*Inadequate environmental protection/control
*Casting discontinuities
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