California failure analysis expert witness has analyzed numerous plumbing failures involving yellow brass (i.e. brass with more than 30% Zn in the alloy). The two major brass failure modes in yellow brass are dezincification and stress corrosion cracking. Above are two samples of stress corrosion cracking. Sress corrosion of yellow brass commonly involves the presence of ammonia along with the […]
Failure Analysis Expert Witness Analyzes a Pipe Fatigue Failure
Failure analysis expert analyzes a pipe failure. In this case the failed brass pipe supported a gauge. The gauge was cantilevered on the 6″ long pipe and valve assembly. This assembly was attached to a pump, and the pump vibrations acted on the assembly and caused a metal fatigue failure to initiate ar the root […]