Introduction Transparent glass tiles were mounted to the surface a new swimming pool. These tiles were set onto the walls and floor of the pool using a white thin set mortar. After installation the pool walls where defect free. However, some time after the pool was filled with water many of the tiles showed cracks. […]
Glass Failure Analysis, Coffee Pot Failure
Read Consulting failure analysis laboratory was asked to examine a failed coffee pot that had been abraded with a cleaning pad and then subjected to a series of thermal shock cycles. The pot was heated to 190°C then immediately immersed in 10°C water. The pot appeared to survive till the 51st cycle. On this cycle […]
Rubber Failure Analysis Demonstrates Rubber Fatigue
California rubber failure analysis expert performs a failure analysis on a rubber paddle. This piece failed as a result of fatigue. The fatigue failure initiated on the outer surface at a stress riser and progressed inwards. This is demonstrated by the photomicrographs above. Upper left is taken at 10X. Upper right is taken at 40X. […]
Product Liability, Chair Failure Analysis
Failure analysis expert witness examined a failed hospital chair. The chair failed during a breast X-ray examination. The chair had been altered 3 years prior to the failure, and the machine shop that had made the alterations was accused of causing the fatigue failure. Examination of the chair discovered hammer marks on a critical region […]
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 […]