Recent Case Studies
Typical Projects & Metallurgical Engineering Services
FRACTURED BRASS TEE FITTING
Posted on July 25th, 2019 by Met-Tech
ANALYSIS OF A FRACTURED BRASS TEE PLUMBING FITTING SUMMARY: A fractured brass tee plumbing fitting was analyzed to investigate the cause of the fracture at one of the brass tee nipples. Results indicate the brass plumbing fitting fractured due to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The crack initiated on the ID surface of the brass tee […]
Analysis of a Ruptured Inergen Cylinder
Posted on July 3rd, 2019 by Met-Tech
Analysis of a Ruptured Inergen Cylinder SUMMARY: A ruptured Inergen cylinder was received for analysis to determine the cause of failure. Results indicate the rupture initiated at a longitudinal alignment of several pre-existing axial cracks on the interior of the cylinder. The pre-existing cracks were characterized by black oxide covered, arc-shaped crack fronts, initiating from […]
Failure Analysis of Corrosion on Stainless Steel Fasteners
Posted on January 20th, 2016 by Met-Tech
Analysis of CORRODED STAINLESS STEEL BOLTS Summary: Metallurgical Technologies, Inc. (MTi) received five stainless steel bolts from a marine environment. The bolts exhibited corrosion predominantly on the head of the bolt around the set screw, underneath the head of the bolt, and in the threads. MTi was requested to determine the cause of the […]
ANALYSIS OF A CRACKED SPLINE GEAR
Posted on January 20th, 2016 by Met-Tech
ANALYSIS OF A CRACKED SPLINED COUPLING Summary: A fractured spline gear coupling was received for analysis to investigate the cause of failure. Results indicated the coupling fractured in fatigue, initiated at the bottom corner of the keyway from the ID of the coupling. The keyway exhibited significant yielding which widened the keyway, indicating the strength […]
BRASS PLUMBING FITTINGS
Posted on January 20th, 2016 by Met-Tech
ANALYSIS OF DEGRADED BRASS PLUMBING FITTINGS Summary: Two, one-inch, 90° elbow brass plumbing fittings were received for analysis of extensive deterioration and leakage. Results indicated the fittings were severely degraded, due to “plug-type” dezincification corrosion. The dezincification corrosion was due to the high concentration of internal deposits, hot water temperature, water pH and chloride content, […]
Aluminized Steel Heater Tubes
Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech
High Temperature Oxidation Failure Of Aluminized Steel Heater Tubes Summary: Two aluminized heater tubes were received for analysis to investigate the cause of failure. Unused tube material also was supplied for comparison. Results indicate that the tubes failed via hot oxidation corrosion at extreme temperatures. Both the heater tube material and processes appear normal. The […]
WELDED STEERING ARM SPINDLE
Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech
ANALYSIS OF AN IMPACT FRACTURED, WELDED STEERING ARM SPINDLE ASSEMBLY Summary: A welded left front spindle/steering arm assembly that had fractured at the fillet weld joint between the steering arm and inner brake boss was received for analysis to determine the mode of failure. The intact right front spindle/steering arm was submitted for comparison. Results […]
STEEL PREHEATER TUBE
Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech
STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AND INTERGRANULAR CORROSION OF A 316Ti STAINLESS STEEL PREHEATER TUBE Summary: A cracked 316Ti stainless steel preheater tube was analyzed to determine the failure mechanism. A second non-cracked tube section from a different elevation was also analyzed to determine the condition of the tube material. The interior of the tube carries process […]
Corrosion of a Leaking Marine Oil Cooler
Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Analysis Of Condensate Induced Pitting Corrosion of a Leaking Marine Oil Cooler Summary: Two cores from a marine diesel engine oil cooler were received for analysis to investigate the cause of failure via leaking. Results indicate that the cooler core failed due to pitting corrosion initiated on the interior (oil side) at the edge of […]
Race Car Transmission Input Shaft
Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Fatigue Fracture Of A 300M Ultra-high Strength Steel Race Car Transmission Input Shaft Summary: A fractured input shaft used in NASCAR racing was received for analysis to investigate the cause of failure. Results indicate the shaft fractured due to fatigue progression from an intergranular stress crack, initiated at a dot peen identification marking on […]
Fractured Crane Frame Weldment
Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Analysis Of A Fractured Crane Frame Weldment Summary: A fractured weldment from a crane frame assembly was received for analysis to determine the cause of fracturing along the circumferential fillet weld. Results indicate the fracture occurred by cyclic fatigue crack growth that initiated at the root of the fillet weld due to incomplete penetration by […]
Cracking Of Stainless Steel Nozzle Sleeve
Posted on December 16th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Fatigue Cracking Of A 316l Stainless Steel Nozzle Sleeve From A Chemical Processing Vessel Corrosion Assisted Fatigue Cracking Of A 316l Stainless Steel Nozzle Sleeve From A Chemical Processing Vessel Summary: A cracked nozzle sleeve stub from a chemical processing vessel of the proprietary vaporizer system was analyzed to determine the cause of cracking. […]
Failed Inconel Condenser Tube
Posted on December 16th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Failure Analysis of Failed Inconel Condenser Tube Metallurgical Failure Analysis – Forensic Engineering Metallurgical failure analysis provided by MTi can help minimize and eliminate the extreme effects of unexpected down time in the power industry. We specialize in rapid response with prompt report turnaround. When the root cause of the metal product failure is […]
Cracked Nitrided Tool Steel Die Plate
Posted on December 16th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Failure Analysis of Fractured Tool Steel Die Plate Summary: A cracked polymer filament die plate was received for analysis to determine the cause of cracking. Results indicate the die plate cracked as a result of a brittle nitrided case and an insufficient cross-sectional area of the narrow ligament between the cap screw hole and […]
Failure Anaysis Of Ball Bearings
Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Failure Analysis of Arcing and Contact Fatigue of Ball Bearings Summary: The four seized bearings submitted for metallurgical analysis were determined to have suffered deterioration of their grease to the point that it was inhibiting motion rather than enabling. The grease had turned to a thick (viscous) black sludge that was full of particulate. Electrical […]
Superheater Tube From Boiler
Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Analysis of T11 Boiler Superheater Tube Rupture SUMMARY: Metallurgical Technologies, Inc. examined a failed superheater tube from XXXXXX X XXX Boiler #7. The ASME SA-213 Grade T11 tube had been in service for 6 to 8 years until failure. The mode of failure was short-term stress rupture due to significant overheating. The microstructure and oxide […]
Pitted Still Condenser Tubes
Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Failure Analysis of Pitted Still Condenser Tubes SUMMARY: Several concentrating still condenser tubes exhibiting pitting were received to determine the cause of pitting. Results indicate the condenser tubes pitted initially from the inner diameter (ID) surface due to microbiological corrosion (MIC). MIC pitting initiated preferentially at the tube seam weld. Additional ID surface pits and […]
Cracked Impeller Blade
Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Failure Analysis of Cracked Impeller Blades SUMMARY: Two blade samples of a cracked ******************* centrifugal blower impeller blade was submitted for metallurgical analysis of the cracks. The cracks in the submitted blade samples were found to have initiated at corrosion pits on the leading edge of the blades. Initial propagation was by stress corrosion cracking […]
NASCAR Titanium Exhaust Valve
Posted on December 14th, 2015 by Met-Tech
Metallurgical Technologies, Inc. routinely performs failure analysis services for the top NASCAR racing teams.
