Preface to the Second Edition

SINCE THE FIRST publication of this work many years ago, I have been pleased with the reception that it has received. Care has been taken in the preparation of this book to make it as accurate and useful as possible, for analysis of failures is a critical process. Unfortunately, it is impossible to describe or predict every possible combination of type of part, assembly, material, metallurgical condition, service usage, and environment. For this reason, the book had to be written in general terms so that the principles of failure analysis can be applied to a very large number of specific failures. It is highly recommended that the study of any failure not be limited to this book but expanded to encompass many of the references and suggestions for further study. After more than 45 years of studying, writing, and teaching about failures, I am still learning. And so can you.

Again, I am indebted to all of those people who have suggested improvements, particularly J.L. Hess and J.L. Welker. Many suggestions are included in this revision.

Also, I thank E.J. Kubel, Jr., who prepared Chapter 15 on Fracture Mechanics, for his writing on this important subject. Ed is a metallurgical engineer with about 15 years experience in the foundry industry and nearly the same length of time as author and editor for several technical magazines in the areas of materials and manufacturing processes. He made this discussion as elementary as possible in keeping with the theme of this work on the principles of failure analysis and prevention.