IDENTIFYING FRACTURE ORIGIN IN METALLIC MATERIAL
Metallic materials used in various products commonly break due to their surrounding environment. The cause of breakage can only be determined after observing the material and accurately analyzing the fractured surface. Fractography has become increasingly important as infrastructure and quality control issues cause problems.
When material failure involves actual breakage, fractography investigates how metallic materials have fractured (fractured surface pattern or fracture shape) by identifying the fracture origin, the crack propagation direction, failure mechanism, material defects, environmental interaction, and the nature of stresses.
Studying the fractured surface’s characteristics can help determine the cause of failure in an engineered product. Our expert testing team analyzed dimples and slips on the fracture’s surface to decide whether or not it was caused by corrosion fatigue, stress corrosion, or a stress fracture caused by fatigue, brittleness, ductility or creep. The direction of the break can also usually be determined, providing valuable information about the amount of stress and load the metal part can withstand.
Different failure modes produce characteristic features on the surface, allowing a forensic analysis to determine the root cause of the failure.
Application of fractography analysis
Studying the fractured surface's characteristics can help determine the cause of failure in an engineered product.
Allows examination of fractured surfaces with incredible detail
Studying the characteristics of the fractured surface can help to determine the cause of failure in an engineered product
Allows examination of fractured surfaces with incredible detail
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Fracture is the separation of a material into two or more pieces under the action of applied stress. Using advanced techniques in our state-of-the-art laboratory, our expert testing team can assist with virtually any type or size of fracture project.
For more information about our fractography services, call us or send us an enquiry today.
