Metallurgical failure investigation with root cause analysis aims to identify the underlying failure mechanism and all causal factors. However, an investigation is not complete until the underlying objectives are achieved e.g. to prevent a recurrence, to embed lessons learned or develop mitigation strategies. A failure investigation reviews all materials, safety, environmental, quality, reliability and production factors that may have contributed to the failure. MTIS has a its own methodology for failure investigation which can be adapted to meet the specific needs of a client or projects and is  aligned with standards such as BS EN 62740.

Forensic Analysis uses many of the same techniques and approaches as failure investigations. However, the focus of a forensic investigation is on assignment of responsibilities or culpability and the evidence gathered has the potential to be used as part of legal proceedings. This factor requires a more stringent methodology to ensure traceability, impartiality and transparency in the evidence chain.

For both failure investigation and forensic analysis MTIS requests customers to complete our simple survey form in order to most effectively set up the project properly.

Common types of projects include:

• Identification of contaminants to enable detection or control of contamination levels in raw materials, processes, and products
• Materials/Metallurgical failure analysis to identify the cause of failure, fractures, processing, or manufacturing issues or uncover weaknesses in design, maintenance or operations
• The identification of the source of unknown particles or deposits causing blockages, process issues, environmental, health or safety problems
• Identification of unknown materials which may be symptomatic of larger problems
• Root cause identification of product defects including degradation, failure, voids, inclusions, mechanical damage, stains and marks
• Failure Mode, Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA)

Example areas of investigation

• Machinery and Equipment Breakdown/failure
• Boiler tubes
• Fires, Explosions collapse
• Piping and vessel failure
• Water Losses or product losses
• Valve failure

Capabilities

• Secure and protected Receiving/storage area
• Examination stations
• Forklift truck for movement of large parts
• Machining and sectioning equipment
• Sample preparation laboratory
  • Characterisation and testing capabilities
    • Visual survey equipment
    • Chemistry Analysis
    • Optical microscopy and metallography
    • Scanning electron microscopy
    • Mechanical Testing
    • Surface replication
    • Crack and flaw detection
    • X-ray diffraction
    • X-ray florescence
    • Fractography
    • Surface Contamination