Failure analysis or failure investigation, as it is sometimes referred to, is the process of analysing and collecting data on the cause of a failure. It is very widely used in the manufacturing industry, especially in electronics, aerospace and medical industries, as it can aid in the development and improvement of components.
A metallurgical testing laboratory will offer failure analysis services, using their team of highly qualified and professional metallurgists. These services may include metallurgical investigations of fractures, production investigations, advice on manufacturing problems, electron microscopy to investigate high power fracture surface analysis and analysis of corrosion products.
As failure analysis investigates a wide range of different products, it involves a number of different tools and techniques including microscopes, spectroscopic analysis, surface analysis, scanning electron microscopy and laser signal injection microscopy.
The scanning electron microscope uses electrons, instead of light, to create a largely magnified image. This image can then be viewed to determine the cause of failure and to provide recommendations on how the component can be improved to increase its viability.
Using surface analysis, the composition and structure of the component's surface can be examined in more depth. By understanding the outermost layers you can better understand the properties and performance of the material and thus determine how or why there has been a failure.
Using these different failure analysis services, your metallurgist can produce an accurate diagnosis and provide you with meaningful reports, which can then be used in the development and improvement of the materials in question.
