Reference materials

Order of reference materials can
be made through:

• E-mail: crm@swerea.se
• Fax: +46 8 440 45 35

Contact: Magnus Falkenström
Phone: +46 73 534 67 49
+46 8 545 274 40

Damage studies and general structural studies

The Institute has many years of experience in investigating the cause of damage in a wide diversity of areas. The investigations can cover anything from large parts such as broken welds in train chassis and in bridge structures or cracked tubes form boilers to fine surgical instruments such as broken haemostatic forceps and implants.

In our studies we investigate whether incorrect material has been used, whether faults have occurred in the manufacturing of the material e.g. in heat treatment or in welding, or whether the material has had an unsuitable primary cast structure. It is also possible to assess whether the material has been subjected to higher stresses than anticipated or whether the material has been used in an unsuitable environment, which may cause some type of corrosion.

Our investigations have led in many cases to changes being introduced into the manufacturer’s production process.

Rapid help
We have the option of carrying out major pieces of work in a short time. The fact that we can put several people in to provide rapid help when there is an emergency, is something that is in demand and appreciated by our clients.

Independent party
The commissioned assignment team acts as an independent body which works confidentially and at short notice.

Example:

Chemical analysis
Design assesment
Fractographic studies of fracture surfaces
Microstructure determinations
Life prediction
Testing
Corosion tests
Material selection
Quality control

The strength properties of materials are assessed through:

Tensile testing

Impact testing

Hardness measurement

If you need help with a damage investigation or a metallographic structural study, contact:

Lena Sjögren, +46 8 674 17 34
Margareta Nylén, + 46 8 440 48 56

Whiskers – a growing problem in the transition to lead-free electronic soldering