Recent Case Studies

Typical Projects & Metallurgical Engineering Services


FRACTURED BRASS TEE FITTING

Posted on July 25th, 2019 by Met-Tech

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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 […]


Ruptured inergen fire suppression cylinder

Analysis of a Ruptured Inergen Cylinder

Posted on July 3rd, 2019 by Met-Tech

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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

Failure Analysis of Corrosion on Stainless Steel Fasteners

Posted on January 20th, 2016 by Met-Tech

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  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 […]


FAILURE ANALYSIS OF A CRACKED SPLINED COUPLING

ANALYSIS OF A CRACKED SPLINE GEAR

Posted on January 20th, 2016 by Met-Tech

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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 […]


An overview of the two brass elbow plumbing fittings as received for analysis. Significant deposits and various stains were observed on the OD surface of the fittings.

BRASS PLUMBING FITTINGS

Posted on January 20th, 2016 by Met-Tech

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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, […]


High Temperature Oxidation Failure Of Aluminized Steel Heater Tubes

Aluminized Steel Heater Tubes

Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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 […]


A closer view of the crater crack identified in Figure 2. The crack surface had a heavy rust deposit present prior to ultrasonic cleaning. Weld joint fracture originated from the crater crack. The crack grew in the directions depicted by the arrows.

WELDED STEERING ARM SPINDLE

Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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

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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 […]


Failure Analysis of Condensate Induced Pitting Corrosion of a Leaking Marine Oil Cooler

Corrosion of a Leaking Marine Oil Cooler

Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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

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  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 […]


Failure Analysis of Arcing and Contact Fatigue of Ball Bearings

Fractured Crane Frame Weldment

Posted on December 17th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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

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  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

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  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 […]


A photo of the die plate outlet face in the as-received condition. Cracking initiated near the outer edge (larger red arrow) and progressed inward, then circular connecting the extrusion holes, running to each end of the ruler (yellow arrows).

Cracked Nitrided Tool Steel Die Plate

Posted on December 16th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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  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 Analysis of Arcing and Contact Fatigue of Ball Bearings

Failure Anaysis Of Ball Bearings

Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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 […]


The rupture was relatively thin-lipped and the tube had visibly bulged at the rupture. Note the exfoliated oxide scale.

Superheater Tube From Boiler

Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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 […]


A close-up photo of typical shallow OD pits (encircled) in the early and late stages of corrosion on the 1A tube sample.

Pitted Still Condenser Tubes

Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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 […]


Photograph of the cracked impeller blade

Cracked Impeller Blade

Posted on December 15th, 2015 by Met-Tech

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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

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Metallurgical Technologies, Inc. routinely performs failure analysis services for the top NASCAR racing teams.


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Failure Analysis Services

Determine cause of failure & recommend ways to prevent future recurrence.

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Corrosion Investigation

Determine cause of material degradation that reduces life expectancy.

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SEM/EDS
Micro-Analysis

Verify fracture mechanism & initiation. Microstructure composition and imaging.

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Metallography Services

Reveals grain structure, thermo mechanical processing & flaw and defect characteristics.

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