Visual examination, using the unaided eye or a low-power optical magnifier, is typically one of the first steps in a failure investigation. This article presents the guidelines for selecting samples for scanning electron microscope examination and optical metallography and for cleaning fracture surfaces. It discusses damage characterization of metals, covering various factors that influence the damage, namely stress, aggressive environment, temperature, and discontinuities.

This article presents examples of the visual fracture examination that illustrate the procedure as it applies to failure analysis and quality determination. It describes the techniques and procedures for the visual and light microscopic examination of fracture surfaces with illustrations. The article also describes microscopic and macroscopic features of the different fracture mechanisms with illustrations with emphasis on visual and light microscopy examination. The types of fractures considered include ductile fractures, tensile-test fractures, brittle fractures, fatigue fractures, and high-temperature fractures.

This article describes the characteristics of tubing of heat exchangers with respect to general corrosion, stress-corrosion cracking, selective leaching, and oxygen-cell attack, with examples. It illustrates the examination of failed parts of heat exchangers by using sample selection, visual examination, microscopic examination, chemical analysis, and mechanical tests. The article explains corrosion fatigue of tubing of heat exchangers caused by aggressive environment and cyclic stress. It also discusses the effects of design, welding practices, and elevated temperatures on the failures of heat exchangers.

This article describes various evaluation techniques of fractography such as visual inspection, macroscopic and microscopic examinations that are used to resolve different aspects of failure. It gives a brief description and pictorial representation of various defects leading to fracture of metals, including laps, seams, cold shuts, cracks, inclusions, porosity, fatigue, and stress corrosion cracking.

This article reviews photographic principles, namely, visual examination, field photographic documentation, and laboratory photographic documentation, as applied to failure analysis and the specific techniques employed in both the field and laboratory. It provides information on the photographic equipment used in failure analysis and on film and digital photography. The article describes the basics of photography and the uses of different types of lighting in photography of a fractured surface. The article also addresses the techniques involved in macrophotography and microscopic photography as well as other special techniques.

This article presents the different hardness test methods used to measure the effectiveness of surface carbon control in carburized parts of steel. Common test methods include Rockwell hardness measurements, superficial Rockwell 15N testing, and microhardness testing. The article provides information on the microscopic method used to detect smaller variations in carbon content, and reviews consecutive cuts analysis and spectrographic analysis that are used to accurately evaluate the carbon concentration profile of carburized parts. It describes procedures of and precautions to be undertaken during shim stock analysis, which is used to measure the atmosphere carbon potential. The article includes a discussion on the electromagnetic nondestructive tests that are used to evaluate the case depth of case-hardened parts.

This article provides an overview of common analytical tools used as part of the process of providing practical information regarding the causes of a coating problem or failure. The common analytical tools include Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Test cabinets and standard test environments for laboratory analysis are reviewed. The article describes non-standard simulation testing and case studies of simulated environments for coating failure analysis.

This article discusses the visual and microscopic characteristics of fractures of cast alloys. These fractures include ductile rupture, transgranular brittle fracture, intergranular fracture, fatigue, and environmentally induced fracture. The article also describes the factors that affect fracture appearance.

This article outlines the basic steps to be followed and the range of techniques available for failure analysis, namely, background data assembling, visual examination, microfractography, chemical analysis, metallographic examination, electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, X-ray techniques, and simulations. It also describes the steps for analyzing the data, preparing the report, preservation of evidence, and follow-up on recommendations.

Failure analysis is an investigative process in which the visual observations of features present on a failed component and the surrounding environment are essential in determining the root cause of a failure. This article reviews the basic photographic principles and techniques that are applied to failure analysis, both in the field and in the laboratory. It discusses the processes involved in visual examination, field photographic documentation, and laboratory photographic documentation of failed components. The article describes the operating principles of each part of a professional digital camera. It covers basic photographic principles and manipulation of settings that assist in producing high-quality images. The need for accurate photographic documentation in failure analysis is also presented.

Fracture surfaces are fragile and subject to mechanical and environmental damage that can destroy microstructural features. This article discusses the importance of care and handling of fractures and the factors that need to be considered during the preliminary visual examination. It describes the procedures for sectioning a fracture and opening secondary cracks as well as the effect of nondestructive inspection on subsequent evaluation. The article provides information on the most common techniques for cleaning fracture surfaces. These techniques are dry air blast cleaning, replica stripping, organic-solvent cleaning, water-base detergent cleaning, cathodic cleaning, and chemical-etch cleaning.

Visual inspection is a nondestructive testing technique that provides a means to detect and examine a variety of surface flaws, such as corrosion, contamination, surface finish, and surface discontinuities. This article discusses the equipment used to aid visual inspection, including borescopes (rigid and flexible), optical sensors, and magnifying systems. The article discusses the special features of borescopes, the factors that influence the choice of a flexible or rigid borescope for use in a specific application, and some of the image sensors used in visual inspection.

Failure analysis is an investigative process that uses visual observations of features present on a failed component fracture surface combined with component and environmental conditions to determine the root cause of a failure. The primary means of recording the conditions and features observed during a failure analysis investigation is photography. Failure analysis photographic imaging is a combination of both science and art; experience and proper imaging techniques are required to produce an accurate and meaningful fracture surface photograph. This article reviews photographic principles and techniques as applied to failure analysis, both in the field and in the laboratory. The discussion covers the processes involved in field and laboratory photographic documentations, provides a description of professional digital cameras, and gives information on photographic lighting and microscopic photography. Special techniques can be employed to deal with highly reflective conditions and are also described in this article.

This article illustrates typical fractographic features for a number of different composite materials. It describes the differences in fracture characteristics due to different loading, material processing, and environmental conditions. The article presents fractographic data obtained from epoxy matrix materials. Minimal fractographic data from other brittle thermoset resin systems are also presented. The article discusses the interlaminar fracture of composites with ductile thermoplastic matrices. It also provides information on the translaminar fracture features of the composite materials.

Mechanical and environmental loadings cause a variety of failure modes in composites, including matrix cracking, fiber-matrix debonding, delamination between plies, and fiber breakage. This article summarizes visual analysis and nondestructive testing methods for the failure analysis of composites. These methods include radiography, ultrasonic techniques, acoustic emission, and thermograph. The article also provides information on destructive test techniques.

This article reviews the failure analysis process with specific reference to the considerations that should be addressed when a casting has failed. It describes the failure analysis methodology for three failed cast components: an aluminum bracket, a bronze suction roll, and a steel automotive spindle. The article discusses failure analysis investigation by obtaining casting background information, planning the evaluation and selecting the appropriate casting for analysis, conducting a preliminary examination, conducting the proper material evaluations, and thoroughly evaluating the test data. It concludes with information on case studies that show how the methodology is adapted for differing materials, failure mechanisms, and failure circumstances.

This article discusses the standard conduct of coating failure investigation. As each failure is different, a specific coating failure may require increased emphasis on a given step, or additional work and/or steps may be required. This article covers the following topics: obtaining and analyzing background information, preliminary determination of site conditions, inspection equipment requirements, coating failure site investigation, sampling techniques, sample chain of custody, coordination with the coatings laboratory, report preparation, and sample retention.

The application of transmission electron microscope to the study of fracture surfaces and related phenomena has made it possible to obtain magnifications and depths of field much greater than those possible with light (optical) microscopes. This article reviews the methods for preparing single-stage, double-stage, and extraction replicas of fracture surfaces. It discusses the types of artifacts and their effects on these replicas, and provides information on shadowing of replicas. The article concludes with a comparison of the transmission electron and scanning electron fractographs with illustrations.

This article describes the preliminary stages and general procedures, techniques, and precautions employed in the investigation and analysis of metallurgical failures that occur in service. The most common causes of failure characteristics are described for fracture, corrosion, and wear failures. The article provides information on the synthesis and interpretation of results from the investigation. Finally, it presents key guidelines for conducting a failure analysis.

Pitting is a form of localized corrosion that is often a concern in applications involving passivating metals and alloys in aggressive environments. This article describes the test methods for pitting corrosion. These methods include ASTM G 48, ASTM F 746, ASTM G 61, ASTM G 100, and electrochemical noise measurements. The visual examination, metallographic examination, and nondestructive inspection of pits are discussed. The article reviews the procedures for the use of standard charts, metal penetration, statistical analysis, and loss in mechanical properties to quantify the severity of pitting damage.