AGI’s solves manufacturing and product quality problems. Besides advice on corrosion and materials failures, the AGI also advises on welding engineering, heat treatment problems, verifying product integrity, measuring performance and determining end of life to enhance product performance and quality.
AGI covers a wide range of applications and client needs, utilizing state-of-the-art analysis, consulting, and on-site metallurgical investigations to meet challenging customer needs.
Metallurgy analysis and testing services include chemical, mechanical, micro/macro, destructive and non-destructive testing for a wide range of metal materials or products. AGI’s laboratories offer expertise in failure analysis of fracture, creep, fatigue, wear, deformation, contamination (trace analysis), corrosion control, materials evaluation & development, and more.
Areas of consulting include:
- Root Cause Failure Analysis
- Investigation of a Mechanical or Product Failure
- Assist in cost-benefit analysis post a failure analysis study
- Estimate the remaining service life of a product or machine component
- Metallography Study
- Processing and microstructure-property relationships of both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys
- Microstructural simulation by phase-field techniques
- Inter-Metallic Phase Determination
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDAX, TEM*
- Surface Analysis (XPS, ESCA, Auger), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Electrochemistry, Thermal Analysis (TGA, DSC, TMA, DMA), Mass Spectroscopy (RGA) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD)*
AGI has completed major investigation assignments, including major projects on manufacturing or metallurgical failure analysis including:
- Boiler and pressure vessels,
- Aircraft /Aerospace,
- Gas turbine engine components,
- Oil and gas transmission pipelines,
- Food processing equipments,
- Heat exchangers,
- Medical equipment,
- Automotive components,
- Refineries,
- Petrochemical plants,
- Industrial machinery,
- Weldments
- Sea going vessels.
Procedure to conduct a Failure Analysis
Cause of failure is determined using state-of-the-art analytical and mechanical procedures and often includes simulated service testing. A combination of analysis and physical testing locates problems and provides recommendations for solutions.
A complete evaluation sequence of the failure investigation steps are summarized as under:
- Collection of background data and selection of samples
- Preliminary examination of the failed part
- Complete metallurgical analysis of failed material
- A thorough examination of the failed part including Macroscopic and Microscopic examination and analysis using electron microscopy
- Tests including Weld Examination, Case Depth, Decarburization Measurement, Coating/Plating Evaluation, Surface Evaluation and/ or Grain Size Determination
- Chemical analysis (bulk, local, surface corrosion products, deposits or coating and microprobe analysis)
- Tests to simulate environmental and physical stress that may have played a role in the failure
- Selection and testing of alternative products and/or procedures that will significantly improve performance
- Analysis of fracture mechanics.
- On-site evaluation and consulting services
- Analysis of all the evidence. Formulation of conclusions and writing the report (Including recommendations).