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Metallurgical Failure Analysis
The title, Metallurgical Failure Analysis, aptly describes the process, i.e., the analysis of a metal failure. In deference to my mechanical
engineering friends, a metallurgist or metallurgical engineer is best equipped to analyze a metal failure. An accident or failure of a metal component, whether it is a simple consumer product such as a hammer or
chisel, or a complex multi-component machine such as an airplane or a space shuttle, will normally not be a "simple" failure. Failures are normally complex. Often two, three or more separate but necessary
circumstances or events are required to cause the failure or accident. Solving such a complex problem is much like solving a multi-piece jigsaw puzzle.
Guessing about a jigsaw puzzle picture from one or two puzzle pieces will usually lead you to a wrong conclusion. Guessing prematurely from one
or two "facts" about the cause of a failure or accident will also usually lead to a wrong conclusion. A series of accident events and evidence will usually fit exactly with another set of events and
evidence thereby allowing more of the true picture to be revealed.
A metallurgist's analysis of a metal failure may include many of the following: accident scene/site examination and documentation (including
photo documentation), evidence preservation, library/standards/literature review, laboratory examination and testing, exemplar testing, engineering calculations, data and file analysis and synthesis,
report preparation and expert witness testimony.
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 Dr.
R. Craig Jerner, Ph.D., PE specializes in accident
investigation and metallurgical failure analysis,
with over 30 years experience as a metallurgical
consultant and accident investigator. He has
testified as a metallurgical expert in over 250
depositions and more than 70 court appearances. If you or someone you know should need the services of Dr. Jerner and J.E.I. Metallurgical, please visit our web site at the buttons below, or e-mail Dr. Jerner --- r.c.jerner@metallurgist.com |
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