Metallurgical Failure
Analysis Report
Often investigations
start with a site visit to inspect the parts in-situ.
On other occasions, failed or defective or corroded parts are
delivered to metserve for examination. There are
comprehensive metallurgical facilities available to determine the mode of
failure from examination or replication of the damage and the fracture surfaces.
The approach to failure investigation is meticulous and thorough but always with
the client's objectives in mind.
Title Page
Summary
To-the-point-summary of the failure analysis.
BACKGROUND
Circumstances of the failure and documentation of the
equipment and processes involved.
scope of work:
- Review available background information including specifications, service
history, maintenance history, reports by others, etc. to understand the
operating conditions before the failure event;
- Analyze the failed component for the mechanism of failure;
- Report findings and
express an opinion.
ANALYSES PERFORMED
Examination and analysis of the
failed components may included:
-
Visual
examination and photography of component as received.
-
Dimensional measurements.
-
Stereo-optical microscopy.
-
Fractography.
-
Photo-documentation.
-
Metallurgical examination of selected cross sections for microstructural
characteristics.
-
Metallography
-
Scanning Electron Microscopy
-
Micro hardness readings.
-
Cross-sectional analysis of
cracks, etc.
-
Chemical analysis of
scaling and deposits found in cracks, etc;
FINDINGS
Summarizes the evidence discovered in the investigation.
DISCUSSION
Discusses the implications of the findings; attempts to
convey a thorough understanding of the failure mechanism to the reader.
From this understanding, the client should be able to make better address the
plant environment and reduce the risk of future failures.
CONCLUSIONS AND OPINIONS
Itemizes the findings and expresses the author’s opinion
on the root cause(s) of the failure.
References
Refers the reader to relevant articles when appropriate.
|
