Failure analysis is a systematic investigation used to determine why a metallic material, component, or structure failed to perform as expected, premature fracture, cracking, corrosion, fatigue, wear, deformation, leakage, and other unexpected failures can result from multiple factors, including material composition, microstructure, manufacturing processes, heat treatment, mechanical loading, environmental exposure, design conditions.
A comprehensive metal failure analysis combines visual examination, material characterization, metallography, mechanical testing, chemical analysis, fracture analysis, and other appropriate laboratory techniques to establish evidence-based conclusions about the failure mechanism.
Metal Failure Analysis Services
Fracture Analysis: Fatigue, Ductile fracture, Brittle fracture, Cleavage Intergranular fracture, Overload , Corrosion-assisted fracture , Crack initiation
Metallographic Examination: metallography provides information about the internal microstructure of the material. Cross-sectional examination can evaluate: Grain structure, Phase distribution, Inclusions, Porosity, Cracks, Microcracks , Segregation, Decarburization, Heat-treatment condition, Welding microstructure
Chemical Composition Analysis: chemical analysis determines whether the material's elemental composition is consistent with the specified alloy or material grade. Techniques may include:
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES)
ICP-OES
ICP-MS
Other appropriate elemental analysis techniques Composition analysis can help identify incorrect material selection, material substitution, contamination, or compositional deviations.
Hardness Testing: hardness testing can provide useful information about material condition and heat-treatment characteristics. testing may include:
Rockwell hardness
Vickers hardness
Brinell hardness
Microhardness
SEM and EDS Analysis Scanning electron microscopy can provide detailed examination of fracture surfaces, cracks, inclusions, particles, and other microscopic features.