Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM
Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM

Damage Analysis: Metals

© Photo iStock
© Photo iStock
© Photo iStock

We answer questions that occur during the quality assurance phase of industrial production or due to failure during service. The scientific investigation of damage to and failures of metals and metallic components is well established within the Fraunhofer IWM. We will build an expert project team customized for your individual task, which will assess the situation and discuss the next steps with you to reach an effective solution. Because time is such an extremely important factor in damage and failure analysis, we handle each project flexibly, confidentially and with a customer-oriented focus. Based on the findings of our assessment and on a no obligation consultation, you will quickly receive an offer.

It is not common for a single event to lead to component damage. Generally it is an interaction of several factors. When engaged in failure assessment, if desired we not only consider the current cause of damage but also analyze the entire environment including the material(s) in question, the process chain and operating conditions. This includes significant mechanical, thermal, corrosive and tribological influencing factors. Convince yourself of our expertise and let us collaboratively find tailor-made solutions to your questions.
 

How to work with the Fraunhofer IWM


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Examples of damage and failure cases that we address

Sample catalysts for the types of component failure we investigate

Our services

Special topics relating to damage and failure analysis

Examples of damage and failure cases that we address

Verification of components and materials for compliance with specifications and standards

Research regarding the cause of failure if components no longer meet manufacturing requirements

Evaluation of component failure (bearing, transmission, gear failures, welding defects, etc.) and clarification whether there is a manufacturing defect and/or an application error

Clarification concerning the cause of corrosion (material, material combination, agents, etc.)

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Sample catalysts for the types of component failure we investigate

Incorrect heat treatment, which results in an increased wear of gears - for example, surface spalling or in extreme cases a shearing-off of complete gear teeth

Lack of fusion or hot cracks in welded joints where fatigue crack growth may have been initiated under service loads

Microstructural changes within the heat affected zone (HAZ) of aluminum alloys which reduces local mechanical properties

Errors occurring during the process control of case hardening of steels or during the application of galvanic layers which could result in hydrogen embrittlement or component fracture

Unfavorable material combinations which may result in early failure caused by contact corrosion (i.e. direct contact of steel and aluminum alloy) under service conditions

Unfavorable material selection which may result in pitting corrosion under service conditions

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Our services

Short notice, fast turnaround damage analysis and failure assessment

In urgent cases we deliver quick turnaround decision-making support by means of specific analytical methods based on a funded assessment.

Combining failure assessment with material and manufacturing process improvements

In medium term projects we evaluate your process chain - in addition to failure assessment - considering the materials you are using to provide suggestions for an overall improvement of product quality.

Failure assessment and representation in court or regarding a large damage sum

Large cases concerning damage or failure in large-scale production are usually associated with high costs and court hearings. We support you with elaborate, substantiated expert opinions or counter-assessments and act on your behalf as an expert assessor in court.

Failure assessment and damage analysis as a chance for innovation

Assessing the causes of failure not only helps to avoid the same thing happening in the future, but can also provide new approaches for innovative product ideas. Our specialists will assist you by evaluating your project ideas by means of material, component and load simulations.

 

We offer our extensive expertise for material assessment and material analysis to address questions such as:

Microstructure assessment

Hardness measurement

Material analysis

Crack detection

Fracture and crack assessment (fractography)

Surface analysis

Material and component assessment (mechanics, fracture mechanics, thermal)

Residual stress analysis (XRD, borehole method)

Component simulation (mechanics, fracture mechanics, thermal)

Lifetime predictions

Welding simulation and weld optimization

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Hydrogen embrittlement of metals

Atomic hydrogen is capable of significantly reducing the ductility of metals. This can cause components to fail unexpectedly. The potential risk is generally related to the diffusible portion of the hydrogen. In ...

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Residual stress analyses

A component’s operational behavior is often strongly dependent on the residual stress state in areas close to the surface, as this is where corrosion, wear and mechanical and thermal stresses are usually the greatest. We use non-destructive x-ray diffraction ...

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Weld seam evaluation

Welding is one of the most commonly used joining processes in industrial production. Weld seam geometry, weld seam morphology, microstructure within the weld seam and the heat affected zone, lack of fusion as well as hot and cold cracks are typical of qualitative characteristics which can be evaluated by light microscopy ...

Relationship between microstructure and properties in remelted surface layers

In many cases, the surface of a component ...

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Degradation of materials in molten salts

Molten salts have been widely used in the industry. Some examples are molten chloride salt mixtures as baths for alloying surface treatments and fluoride salts as solvents. More recently molten nitrate ...

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