Failure Analysis Training
Failure Analysis Training
(OP)
I'm looking to become the sole failure analysis materials engineer for my company. They have no training programs or previous engineers that can train me. I am looking for recommendation for the best books to have or training programs to attend. I haven't done any serious failure analysis for 8 years since the one class I took in college. We'll probably be dealing mostly with steel, but we are a job shop and also might have to deal with aluminum, copper, titanium, assemblies, and whatever they feel like asking for, so I want something or somethings that cover a wide range of materials. We have a full lab with light and SEM microscopes, hardness, various chemistry testers, etc, though most failure analysis I remember from college involved the microscopes primarily.
So far, I have the 2002 "ASM Handbook Volume 11: Failure Analysis and Prevention" and a couple old ASM conference proceeding books (though I hate the disjointed article format in those books).
I was looking at the ASM website and their list of training and books. Looking for reviews and recommendations.
I was thinking about getting the "Failure analysis of engineering structures: methodology and case histories" book, if it is useful enough knowing I already have the ASM Handbook Vol 11.
What I really need is a good reference book full of pictures for comparison and something that lists all the possible common causes for failure for certain applications.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
So far, I have the 2002 "ASM Handbook Volume 11: Failure Analysis and Prevention" and a couple old ASM conference proceeding books (though I hate the disjointed article format in those books).
I was looking at the ASM website and their list of training and books. Looking for reviews and recommendations.
I was thinking about getting the "Failure analysis of engineering structures: methodology and case histories" book, if it is useful enough knowing I already have the ASM Handbook Vol 11.
What I really need is a good reference book full of pictures for comparison and something that lists all the possible common causes for failure for certain applications.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.





RE: Failure Analysis Training
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-How-Components...
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: Failure Analysis Training
for "Principles of Failure Analysis (7-Lesson Series)"
and also the tab of Failure analysis for courses or
the Store > Failure Analysis for books.
http://www.welding-advisers.com/
RE: Failure Analysis Training
RE: Failure Analysis Training
I think that there are 3 categories of information on this subject:
1. training class
2. failure analysis books
3. case studies, compendia, etc.
For training classes, look at ASM website. These are excellent, and will give you hands-on training in the proper technique for using microscopes, etc.
For failure analysis books, the Wulpi book recommended by Maui is good. But ASM Volume 11 has more extensive coverage of all topics, so if your budget is tight, I would recommend spending your money in other areas like 1. or 3.
For case studies, the book that you mentioned is ok-to-good. However, I HIGHLY recommend the Handbook of Case Histories in Failure Analysis (Volumes 1 and 2), edited by Khlefa Esaklul. Excellent range of examples, extremely high quality of publishing, shorter articles that focus on linking test data to root cause of failure, rather than extensive description of background, test methods, etc. The book Failure Analysis of Heat Treated Steel Components is also excellent, but has a much narrower focus. There are also some very good technical papers, etc. freely available on the web. Use the following links for more information:
Handbook of Case Histories in Failure Analysis
http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Histories-Failure-A...
Fractography of Metals and Plastics and other good articles
http://www.imrtest.com/get_technical_info/material...
An Introduction to Failure Analysis for Metallurgical Engineers
http://www.tms.org/Students/Winners/Davidson/David...
Numerous articles available here:
http://www.element.com/information/resources/artic...
Other good resources:
http://ammtiac.alionscience.com/pdf/AMPQ9_1.pdf
http://ammtiac.alionscience.com/pdf/AMPQ9_2.pdf
http://ammtiac.alionscience.com/pdf/AMPQ9_3.pdf
http://www.accuratescrew.com/pdf/fastener_failures...
http://www.sherrylabs.com/fasteners/access
http://www.matcoinc.com/home/technical-notes
RE: Failure Analysis Training
Aaron Tanzer
RE: Failure Analysis Training
For example: A 12 million dollar pressure vessel was damaged when it was lifted off of a barge unto a dock, delaying a 300 million dollar plant startup until a new pressure vessel could be built, shipped, and installed.
Case 1. The lifting shackle busted, dropping the PV.
Case 2. The vessel was lifted, but the lifting lug tore off at the weld.
Case 3. The shackle, lifting lug survived, but the vessel head was distorted during the l;ift.
Seems like three different root causes, three different results, right? Three different companies to blame perhaps - and pay all of the penalties to everybody else.
But the real cause was the same in all three "results" - the nbr 2 crane operator "jerked" the load up, accelerating it and creating out-of-design forces on that end of the PV.
RE: Failure Analysis Training
RE: Failure Analysis Training
p.s., if you make this a career, be prepared to absorb a ridiculous amount of knowledge and to never stop researching.
"If you don't have time to do the job right the first time, when are you going to find time to repair it?"
RE: Failure Analysis Training
I agree with you about the ASM failure analysis handbook, which I think is the green (current) one. The previous (red) edition had entire sections organized by industry type, such as boilers and refinery. I find that approach far more useful.
"If you don't have time to do the job right the first time, when are you going to find time to repair it?"
RE: Failure Analysis Training