Failure analysis is a critical aspect of product development and system improvement which not only helps us learn from the past, but helps prevent future failures.
Failure analysis is a multi-faceted, holistic approach to determining how and why a material or product failed.
Failure analysis investigation
The initial stage of any investigation involves an in-depth discovery phase of the circumstances surrounding the failure and any relevant background information, including environmental factors, type of application, service life, and pertinent design information. Element's analysts apply a wide variety of analytical methods and tools to inspect the failed part.
Importance of failure analysis
While the root cause analysis and associated responsibility of any failure are the primary goals, the added value is provided in preventing future occurrences.
Based on findings from the failure analysis process, Element experts provide recommendations and work closely with the customer to find solutions to problems for a diverse range of products and materials. We have the combination of our materials expertise and knowledge of what impact the service environment can have on a material or a product. This enables rapid delivery of comprehensive results to identify resolutions and avoid future in-service failures.
Read our article to find out three reasons to perform failure analysis.
The Element advantage
Our global network of experts is recognized as some of the most trusted in their field by providing reliable failure analysis for a variety of clients, including manufacturers, commercial intermediaries, consumers, lawyers, and insurance companies. They have decades of hands-on experience in performing failure analysis across many sectors, including Aerospace, Energy, Transportation, Construction, Medical Device, and Consumer Products.
For more information about our failure analysis services or to request a quote, contact us today.
Using Failure Analysis to Manage In-Service Occurrences
The Element & Rolls-Royce team is now bringing expertise to multiple sectors providing access to the same high-quality testing capabilities and service that Rolls-Royce uses every day to test its engines, materials, and components.
Our Services
Our teams provide expert failure analysis and reporting through a range of technical services, including stress analysis and material characterization, trace evidence analysis and forensic engineering.
Chemical Analysis
Find out more about our chemical analysis laboratories that offer a critical resource for both material and product manufacturers.
Expert Witness Services
Element offers expert witness services to legal and insurance firms to provide testimony with precision and expertise.
Corrosion Testing
Find out how Element's corrosion testing programs can drastically reduce the risks associated with corrosion.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
SEM analysis is a powerful analytical tool which uses a focused beam of electrons to produce intricate, high magnification images of a sample’s surface topography.
Thermal Analysis (DSC, TMA, DMA, TGA)
Thermal analysis methods measure mechanical changes under differing temperatures and loads, and can pinpoint when and at what temperature significant thermal events occur.
Accelerated Aging Shelf Life Testing
Our shelf life testing can help you determine how climatic and environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and light will affect the lifespan and integrity of your products.
Impact Testing
Element's experts subject materials and products to dynamic impact, measuring cushioning, g-forces, and impact failure mechanisms.
Fatigue Testing
Element's laboratories help customers characterize the properties and behaviors of materials and components using varying loads, speeds, and environmental conditions to create predictive patterns of future behavior.
Fractography Services
Our fractography services can help determine the cause of failure, fatigue, or defects in metallic materials.
Related Services
Polymer Failure Analysis
Element experts are here to help you with your failure analysis on plastics, composites, rubbers, adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings.
Using Failure Analysis to Manage In-Service Occurrences
When an in-service occurrence takes place, it is therefore vital that the reason behind how and why a material or product has failed is established as quickly as possible, and a solution is found and put into place without delay.
Failure Analysis in the Oil and Gas Industry
Watch our on-demand webinar with Element’s globally based, international experts will help you to understand and avoid failures in the Oil and Gas industry.
Failure Analysis of Pipeline Coatings
Download a free case study that provide insight into the root causes of pipeline coatings failures.