Paper 4: Electron Optical Techniques of Failure Investigation

Abstract

Fractography, the study of fracture surfaces, is useful in failure investigations as the topography and characteristic markings of such surfaces are indicative of the mechanism of fracture which operated during the initiation of failure and crack propagation. Owing to the low depth of focus of the optical microscope, interpretation of some fracture surfaces may be difficult. The microscopic topography, and its relation to the causes and basic mechanisms of fracture, may be conveniently studied by electron microfractography using non-destructive replica methods. Replicas may be taken from selected areas of the fracture surface of large, unwieldy engineering components. Complementary electron optical techniques such as electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and extraction replicas are used where possible to obtain additional fine-scale information of use in the elucidation of failure mechanisms. An explanation of the various techniques and examples of their use in the work of the National Engineering Laboratory in failure investigations is given. The investigations involve fatigue, brittle fracture, corrosion fatigue, stress corrosion, welding problems, and surface phenomena.