FAILURE ANALYSIS LAB

Failed component or assembly? WE’RE FAILURE ANALYSIS EXPERTS.

We can help you solve engineering issues, manufacturing issues, heat treat issues, material issues, and root cause investigation of failed components and assemblies. We have a personalized approach to match your testing needs.

At QAI Test Labs, we’re failure analysis experts with well over 3,500 failure investigation assignments under our belt including metallurgical failure analysis for root cause investigations, plastics and polymers failure analysis, failure analysis to establish liability, and simple failure analysis for future failure prevention. Our failure analysis projects include close to 500 major and very large projects related to manufacturing or metallurgical issues including ASME pressure vessels, aircraft/aerospace systems and components, turbine engine components, oil and gas transmission pipelines and components, off highway components (driveline and clutch), food processing equipment, contamination and components, heat exchangers, fastener industry components, medical supplies, racing industry systems and components, gear industry components, and automotive components.

WE OFFER YOU A SINGLE SOURCE FAILURE ANALYSIS SOLUTION

With six cutting edge test labs under one roof, QAI offers you a single source solution for comprehensive root cause investigations and formal failure analysis. We have all of the tools needed to control every aspect of the investigation, including two full Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) systems, fully equipped with low and variable pressure capabilities and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) with full digital imaging – an essential tool in failure analysis and identification of failure mode. Other instruments include a range of optical and metallurgical microscopes, stereo microscopes with Keyence 3-D imaging, hardness testers, microhardness testers that are fully automatic with one capable of testing eight specimens at one time, optical emission spectrometers, sample prep equipment and a full mechanical testing lab with its own machine shop, the latest Charpy impact testers and four recently upgraded tensile testers. Our fully-equipped labs offer metallurgical, chemical, polymer, mechanical, microscopy, and non-destructive (NDT) examination.

UNMATCHED FAILURE ANALYSIS EXPERTISE

QAI’s strength is in evaluating the root cause of metallic component and system failures, as well as plastic components with failures ranging from simple wear failures to full catastrophic fractures. We have assembled a team of experts in these fields with specialized expertise in heat treat, materials, fasteners, high temperature and high-pressure failures, stress calculations, and the chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polymeric materials. The Failure Analysis Team at QAI has experience in materials, failure analysis, metallurgical, welding, various microstructures, various failure modes, quality assurance, and heat treating, as well as plastics, rubbers, elastomers, and all types of non-metals.

QAI works with its clients to plan the failure analysis before conducting the investigation. A large amount of time and effort is spent carefully considering the background of failure and studying the general features before the actual investigation begins. However, you will also find us fairly practical and fast with noticeable efficiency. We have been known to hand customers a 100-page report on a complex failure analysis in as little as two to three days. Most standard failure analyses take five to seven days.

CONTAMINATION ANALYSIS

In addition to formal root cause and failure analysis investigations, we can also identify a specific contaminant or find out if there is contamination on a specific part or assembly. Or you may be even looking to determine the root cause of contamination. QAI’s special techniques and analysis methods can identify impurities and find the smallest levels of contaminants. Even the tiniest particle or fragment can be detected. We can also determine the size, mass, surface area, and composition of the contamination. Contamination can take place in components or systems causing damage and failures. QAI can work with you to isolate the contamination and determine its source. We can then work with you to recommend solutions and fix the problem.