Metallurgical Failure Analysis Investigations

When component parts of a product fail, there is a need to establish why to be able to make modifications and prevent a repeat of the same issue occurring in future. If a metal component has failed, the process of determining why is carried out through metallurgical failure analysis investigations. In most instances, failures are caused by different types of corrosion damage or mechanical damage. Damage by corrosion is often due to environmental conditions; while mechanical damage can result from the mechanical stresses the part is subjected to. It is not uncommon for the root cause to be a combination of both types of damage. Analysis investigations of failed metal parts are conducted by destructive or non-destructive testing. For destructive testing, analysis must be carried out in a laboratory and that part is broken down for analysis to breaking point. Non-destructive testing can be completed in the field and without necessarily taking the component out of service. Failure analysis of metallurgical components is used across many industries, including the manufacturing and construction industries; the power, utilities, water, chemical and pharmaceutical industries; and the automotive and motorsports sectors.