Materials fail for different reasons, but they fracture by four principal modes: fatigue, cleavage, dimple rupture, and decohesive rupture. Each of these modes has its own characteristic fracture appearance.
  1. Fatigue fracture is the result of repetitive loading. Crack(s) initiates in Stage I, propagates in Stage II, and reaches catastrophic fracture including separation in Stage III. Fatigue striations observed generally in high cycle fatigue align perpendicular to crack propagation direction.
  2. Cleavage is a low-energy fracture that is completely flat and featureless. River patterns, feather markings, and chevron patterns are some of the features observed in cleavage mode of fracture.
  3. Dimple rupture is the mode of fracture when an overload is the principal cause of failure. Microvoid coalescence is the characteristic feature observed in dimple rupture.
  4. Decohesive rupture occurs with little plastic deformation and involves weakening of the atomic bonds. Hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, and creep are some of the examples of decohesive rupture.

Elements team of Engaged Experts employ a wide variety of fractographic testing methods to determine the failure causes of parts, products, and engineering structures.

Ready to request a quote?

Our deliverable is certainty - high quality data, test reports and certificates that you can absolutely rely on when making decisions about your materials and compliance. Engage with an expert today.

Contact us
Our capabilities

Materials Testing Services

4 MeV Radiographic Inspection Abrasion and Wear Testing Aerospace Fasteners Aircraft Interiors Flammability Testing Chemical Analysis Chemical Processing Composite Testing Contaminant Testing Corrosion Testing Die Steel Qualification Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Eddy Current Inspection Etching Expert Witness Services Failure Analysis Fastener Testing Fatigue Testing FEA
Foam Testing FTIR Fractography Services Fracture Toughness Hardness Testing Hydrostatic Testing Impact Investigative Chemistry Liquid Penetrant Inspection Magnetic Particle Material Properties Mechanical Testing Metallography and Micro Examination Metallurgical Testing NDT Field Services Nondestructive Testing and Inspection Nonmetals Failure Analysis Nonmetal Mechanical Testing Nonmetal Testing
On-site metallographic examination Paints and Coatings Analysis Passivation Polymer Matrix Composite Testing Polymer Testing Services Positive Material Identification Radiographic Inspection Residual Stress Measurement Residue Analysis Sour Service Corrosion Testing Stress Rupture and Creep Testing Stress Strain Analysis Tensile Testing Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) Ultrasonic Testing Ultraviolet Exposure Visual Inspection Weld Testing and Weld Failure Analysis
Cta_Wide_1600x480

Our team of nearly 2,000 Engaged Experts working across the USA, Europe and Asia are ready to support you. How could we help you today?

Make an Inquiry