Contact: Lars Andersson
In most breakdowns and failures where fracturing has occured
it is important to examine the surface of a fracture in order to
find the cause of fracturing. In examinations of the surface of
fracture you try to establish the type of fracture, where the
fracturing began (Fracture initiation), and to see wether there
are defects which could have caused the fracture. Examinations
of the surface of fracture are performed with the naked eye,
through optical microscopes (low and high magnifications),
and through a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
It is also important to not only study the surface of fracture,
but also areas in close connection to the fracture. During the
ocular examination we find if there are more indications of
the cause for a fracture, such as the occurrence of cracks,
corrosion damages, defects or other causes (such as
temperature effects).
An examination of the surface of a fracture as well as the
areas surrounding a fracture help us in drawing conclusions
about the likely cause of a fracture. It is also important in the
sense that it's the basis for the continued metallographic
examination, where sections are taken from pertinent areas,
which are then prepared and examined in an optical
microscope as well as in a Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM), in both etched and unetched conditions. |
Surface of a fracture
Fatigue
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