Request
The pull bar of a heavy machine suddenly failed. The owner of the equipment asked MSC to investigate the origin of the failure.
Approach
Visual inspection was performed and a replica of the fracture surface was taken for observation by scanning electronic microscope. Material of the pull bar was sampled and tested.
Results
The fracture surface analysis showed a brittle failure initiated on an intergranular failure. Characterisation of the bulk material demonstrated that the toughness of the material was insufficient.
