Failure Analysis of Engineering Materials
This text introduces the important aspects associated with the failure analysis of engineering components, and provides a treatment of both macroscopic and microscopic observations of fracture surfaces.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Failure Analysis of Engineering Materials
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview
The general conclusion is this Frost does not make either iron (cast or wrought) or steel brittle, and accidents arise from neglect to submit wheels, axles, and all other parts of the rolling stock to a practical and sufficient test before using them.
JAMES PRESCOTT JOULE
Philosophical Magazine , 1871
1.1 Objectives
The analysis of failures of engineering components is an extremely important aspect of engineering. Establishing the causes of failures provides information for improvements in design, operating procedures, and the use of components. Also, determining the cause of a failure can play a pivotal role in establishing liability in litigation. Failure analysis is often difficult and frustrating, but understanding how to approach an analysis and how to interpret observations provides a basis for assuring meaningful results.
The objective of this book is to introduce the important aspects associated with the failure analysis of engineering components. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of broken components, where observations of the fracture surface play a key role. Thus a treatment of both macroscopic and microscopic observations of fracture surfaces is given. Since loading conditions are often an important aspect of the possible causes of failures, a simplified treatment of the mechanics involved is presented. It is to be noted that some information about prior loading conditions can often be gleaned from a careful observation of the general macroscopic orientation of the fracture surface. Also included is a section which reviews the common experimental methods used in failure analysis of materials.
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