Laboratory Testing Inc.

Failure Analysis What Went Wrong? Find the Root Cause of the Failure

At times, metal products fail to perform as expected or deteriorate to a point where they are no longer safe to use. The engineers at Laboratory Testing Inc. complete root cause failure analysis testing to help you understand the cause of the failure and provide insight into how to prevent similar failures in the future. They are also available as expert witnesses.

We begin each failure analysis with a background review of the material or parts that failed. Whenever possible, customers provide us with information about the composition and fabrication of the failed item, and details of the failure event by completing our Failure Analysis Questionnaire. Click for Questionnaire.

Failure analysis testing of the item may include methods such as mechanical testing, metallography, chemical analysis, nondestructive testing or dimensional inspection to determine the chemistry, mechanical properties or the existance of any flaws or inconsistencies that would help uncover the probable root cause of the failure. Equipment such as our Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM/EDS) system are frequently used to perform this detailed analysis.

When the failure analysis is complete, customers receive a comprehensive Failure Analysis Report of all findings from the investigation. This Report may include recommended actions to be taken with similar parts or materials to prevent a reoccurrence of the failure.

Failure Analysis Process

• Failure Investigation Our engineers will thoroughly review background events leading to failure.
• Testing & Inspection Appropriate materials testing, nondestructive testing or dimensional inspection will be performed on the failed part.
• Analysis of Test Results Our engineers will analyze all testing and inspection results to identify the root cause of the failure.
• Failure Analysis Report You'll receive all findings in one comprehensive report.