We have performed thousands of failure analyses. Below is one of many examples from our failure analysis laboratory menu.

Aluminum Oxide Fiber Defect Failure Analysis and Process Improvement - by Touchstone Research Laboratory

Touchstone was performing quality control tests on aluminum oxide fibers for a customer. During this partnership, the also customer expressed interest in increasing fiber tensile strength.

To analyze this problem, Touchstone developed a novel method to capture the fracture surface of the fiber at the failure initiation point. This fracture surface was then analyzed with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis system.

By examining dozens of these fracture surfaces, it was determined that the failures belonged to four distinct groups – each with its unique cause.

With the feedback from Touchstone, the customer was able to significantly increase fiber strength, on the order of 30%.

If you need failure analysis in this or other areas, don't hesitate to contact us. Our other areas of expertise include:

Corrosion Evaluation
Light Microscopy
Mechanical Testing
Metallography
Research & Development
Scanning Electron Microscopy

For a PROMPT response, e-mail info@trl.com, call 304-547-5800, or visit us - we are conveniently located less than an hour from Pittsburgh International Airport and two hours from Columbus, Ohio.