Metallurgical Consultants

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.  

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

•   ASME boiler and pressure vessels

•   Aircraft /Aerospace 

•   Gas turbine engine components

•   Oil and gas transmission pipelines

•   Food processing equipment

•   Heat exchangers

•   Medical supplies

•   Automotive components

•   Refineries

•   Petrochemical plants

•   Offshore structures

•   Industrial machinery

•   Weldments

•   Ships