Our Services

Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis is a method to determine why something broke, where it broke, and when it broke. Failures occur from chemical attack, mechanical forces, thermal exposure, electrical interactions, age, manufacturing defects, improper installation and intentional damage (i.e., fraud). Our analysis includes a combination of keen observation, analytical approach, materials science, and experience. Examples of failures include but are not limited to:

  • Threaded fasteners
  • Springs
  • Lifting devices
  • Welds
  • Plastic components
  • Electronic devices and appliances
  • Vehicle components
  • Tanks
  • Piping
  • Plumbing components
  • Printed circuit boards
                                                                                                                                          

Fire & Explosion Investigation

Fire and explosion investigation is a method to determine where a fire started, why it started, and who is responsible. After analysis, we identify safer alternative products or designs in order to prevent future fires and explosions from occurring. Examples of ignition sources for fires include but are not limited to:

  • Electrical
  • Self-heating
  • Combustible metals/thermite reactions
  • Open flames
  • Flammable and combustible liquids
  • Friction
  • Lightning
  • Hot surfaces

Our experience includes fires and explosions in a cross-section of occupancies:

  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Industrial
  • Oilfield
  • Vehicle
  • Marine
  • Agricultural
  • Tank Farms
  • Hazardous Waste
                                          

Laboratory Testing

We test fire origin and cause hypotheses as well as study the response of materials to these different conditions:

  • Influence of fire retardants loading on heat release rate
  • Influence of particle size on burning rate
  • Interaction between lightning on electrically conductive products used in residential settings
  • Influence of refrigerant composition on fire hazard
  • Influence of heat and fire to copper, brass and stainless steel
  • Influence of water on powdered metals

Research

Our research process is a deep dive study of a problem and proposed solution(s). We will generate improved test method for the classification of solid oxidizers and improved test method for the burning rate of particulate metals.

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