Metallurgical Failure Analysis

Complex Analysis...Practical Solutions

The metallurgical lab has immediate access to in-house expertise in a wide range of technical specialties, including EMI/EMC, Shock and Vibration, Environmental Testing, Life Support Systems, Stress Analysis, Engineering Design, and Manufacturing Engineering.

This allows us to field a highly skilled interdisciplinary team to perform detailed root cause analyses (see Flow Diagram). Also, because of our engineering experience, our recommendations focus on the practical and can be rapidly tested using our extensive test capabilities. See Case Histories for our experience in metallurgical failure analysis.

Metallurgical Conformance Inspections

Over 1000 Flight Safety Critical Assemblies Completed...and Counting

Our metallurgical lab performs full conformance-to-blueprint inspections using our extensive facilities.

 

Our experienced staff of engineers and technicians generate highly reliable data on which to base your decisions.

 

Our conformance inspections include evaluation of Shot Peening, Temper Etching, Hardness Measurements, Compositional Measurements, Microstructural Analysis, Plating/Coating Analysis, Grain Size Measurements, Grain Flow Evaluation, Case Hardening and Decarburization Analysis, Electrical Conductivity Measurements, and Passivation Measurements.

 

Click here to see a typical example of our Metallurgical Conformance Inspections.

Reverse Engineering and Materials Selection

Materials, Processes, Joining Methods, Surface Finishes and Treatments

Reverse engineering programs are undertaken as a team effort in which the metallurgical lab participates as one of the team members.

 

We analyze every metallurgical characteristic (see Conformance Inspections) to determine alloy selection, manufacturing processes such as forging, casting and thermo-mechanical sequences, joining methods, surface finishes such as plating and coating, and surface treatments such as shot peening.

 

We also specify the governing specifications and participate in developing technical data packages and vendor qualification.

 

Click here for Braze Evaluation Example

Corrosion Testing

High Fidelity Corrosion Testing. High Quality System-Wide Solutions

Using our experience and expertise in corrosion processes, environmental testing, metallurgical failure analysis, alloy systems, and corrosion protection methods, we design high fidelity corrosion test programs and provide practical solutions that apply to the system as a whole.

 

See case histories in Corrosion for our experience in analyzing corrosion-assisted failures.

Engineering Development and Investigations

Innovative Engineering...Comprehensive Analysis…Rapid Turnaround

The metallurgical engineering lab undertakes diverse investigative and development programs, ranging from evaluation of gun barrel damage accumulation to testing cadmium replacement coatings to measuring powder mixture compositions from X-ray images.

Failure Analysis Case Histories

Click here for Failure Analysis Case History samples.