Failure analysis
The aim of a failure analysis is to prove the causes that led to the damage events that occurred. In addition, the results can be used to prevent further damage by influencing the design, choice of materials, manufacturing processes, test procedures and operating conditions, and by inspecting or replacing at-risk components during operation.
Systematic failure analysis requires a holistic approach and a methodical procedure. The knowledge required for this encompasses the entire range of materials science: component/operating strength, corrosion, wear, manufacturing technology, materials, materials testing/diagnostics, etc.
In the field of failure analysis, we can identify and analyze the following defects with our systems:
- Fracture surfaces
- Crack propagation and crack evaluation
- Segregations, precipitation distributions and foreign inclusions
- Corrosion attacks
In addition to identifying the causes of fractures, we are also able to fully characterize components on the macro and micro scale.
Contact for questions
Dr.-Ing Dominik Britz
Deputy Head MECS Saarbrücken
Adrian Thome, M. Sc
Project Leader
Further areas of application
Machine Learning (ML)
Our services range from feasibility studies with our various approaches to exploratory data analysis with unsupervised ML.
Triboelectrical characterization
Complementary to our microstructure analysis, we are able to perform a wide variety of triboelectric measurements (e.g. electrical resistivity and coefficient of friction during mating tests) under controlled conditions.
Correlative Microscopy
A correlative characterization of microstructures serves as a benchmark for automated microstructure recognition and as a starting point for machine learning approaches.
Antimicrobial surfaces
Our antimicrobial metallic surfaces have already been used in 3 research projects with ESA & NASA on the ISS.