ME 476 Materials Failure Analysis

Fundamental mechanisms related to failure of metal and alloys used in engineering structures. Mechanisms include: ductile and brittle fracture, fatigue, corrosion fatigue, wear, liquid erosion, stress corrosion, hydrogen-assisted cracking, elevated temperature failures, and many others. Analytical tools used to identify types of failures including: optical metalography, scanning electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and others. Ductile, brittle, intergranular, cleavage, quasi-cleavage, and microvoid coalescence modes of fracture are discussed. Failures in weldments, brazed and soldered joints, castings, bearings, boilers, forgings, pipelines, bridge components, gears, springs, wear components, tools, and dies.