Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis                           
Contact: John Passero
1-800-220-3675 ext. 3604
jpassero@EMSL.com

The process of collecting and analyzing data to determine the cause of a failure is known as failure analysis. It covers a broad range of disciplines and often involves a suite of tests and procedures to comprehensively analyze materials of interest.

The benefits of failure analysis are abundant. It can be utilized from the initial research into new materials or processes and the stumbling blocks along that road in the R&D phase, to mature processes where failure analysis work is essential to ensure ongoing production.

Even if the means of failure in a sample is known, it can be just as important to understand how likely that failure is to happen again. Utilizing various forced-failure tests, weathering, stress and strain systems, as well as having the ability to customize and design specific equipment to test a target sample series, can provide this information. Having these capabilities offers the flexibility required to create a number of forced-failure scenarios. For example, samples can be tested to ensure performance once published specifications are met. Samples can also be forced into failure using aggressive wear or strain to determine failure mode or tested incrementally to allow for a failure threshold to be determined.

Meeting these challenges are the scientists and engineers at EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL offers solutions at all stages of development across the spectrum of failure analysis applications. Our network of testing facilities incorporate a vast number of methods that include microscopic, chemical, physical and electrical test methods.

The scientific staff at EMSL are not only experts at comprehensive analysis, these dedicated professionals also excel at operating as partners with clients in the challenging, rapidly changing industrial environment. EMSL’s unique and significant capabilities, along with unparalleled experience, means the resources and tools to adapt to changing goals, deadlines and complex challenges are all already at hand.