Consultancy - Fractographic Analysis
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Fractography is a descriptive explanation of a fracture process, usually in metals with specific reference to the use of photographs to study the fracture surface.
Macrofractography involves low magnification (<25x)
Microfractography involves higher magnification (>25x)
The scanning electron microscope is a very popular tool in the field of fractography. The large depth of focus, the ability to vary magnification over a wide range, the non-destructive nature of the examination and the 3D appearances of SEM fractography makes the instrument an indispensable tool in failure investigations.
Several clearly unique and recognisable features of a particular fracture surface enable the failure mode to be established by the investigator.
Common features include:
- Dimpled fracture surfaces - ductile mode of failure.
- Cleavage facets, indicative of transgramular brittle fracture.
- Brittle intergranular fracture - temper embrittlement, intergramlar S.C.C, hydrogen embrittlement.
- Fatigue failure striations.