CarlBerk Consulting

Metals

Metallic materials are mostly used as structural components or electrical contact in various industries such as automotive/transportation, medical device, consumer electronics, and aerospace. So far, most failure of metallic materials are related to loss of structural integrity, mechanical strength degradation or corrosion, which was highly dependent on the materials internal structure.

To perform effective failure analysis or performance improvement for metallic component, CarlBerk has established full-fledged experimental capabilities on structure characterization and chemical analysis to assist client in metal and corrosion related issues. Our consultants and technical specialists all have years of solid metallurgical training and extensive related experience to support our client in interpreting the experimental data and providing recommendation(s) on alloy selection, heat treatment modification, and other failure prevention strategies. Some of our key supporting areas include:

Failure analysis (fracture, fatigue, corrosion, creep, hydrogen-embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, etc.)
Alloy identification and composition analysis.
Mechanical testing (tensile, compression, three-point bending, and other customized testing).
Microstructure and microchemistry analysis – phases, grains morphologies and texture.
Defect inspection (micro-crack, internal porosities, impurities).
Compliance check with industry standards/technical requirement.

Example 1： Fractography Analysis of a Metal Part from a Scooter

The Scooter structural component (made of aluminum-based alloys) failed due to a pre-market road test. The fracture surface suggested a failure due to fatigue.

Example 2: Surface Texture Analysis of Machining Marks Created by Different CNC Tooling

Surface roughness plays an important part in the functional performance of many engineering components. It affects the tightness of contact joints, positional accuracy, and component contact deformation. It also plays a vital role in the corrosion rate, residual stress, heat resistance, and friction resistance of the component. Surface texture evaluation thus allows a better understanding of how different tooling parameter (spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cut) could affect the final surface roughness and whether the surface quality are compliant to technical requirement.

Example 3： Combined Microstructural and Chemical Analysis of a Ti-based Alloy

Internal structure, grain orientation and elemental distribution of Ti-based alloy are elucidated by combined SEM image, EDS elemental mapping and EBSD orientation mapping. The alloy exhibits a two-phase microstructure that consists of Ti and V rich grains surrounded by Al-rich precipitates.