FCP Report No. 1

Analysis of Failures in Metal Components

by

T. J. Dolan
Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Abstract

Valuable knowledge is available in the literature from documentation on prior failures that may be used to develop a logical analysis of the causes of failures that occur in service. Careful investigation, detailed observations, and sorting of a wide variety of information is important in analyzing how and why a part failed. The material selection, design, processing and fabrication, maintenance and service environment must all be given careful study. All possible modes of failure should be considered to assure against a recurrence from unknown factors. A variety of failures are discussed to emphasize the necessity of foreseeing the influence of the design and processing on response of the metal to the service environment.

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