Failure Analysis of Polymers

In common with all engineering materials, polymeric components sometimes fail in service, often in response to a sudden/large change in operating conditions. The reasons can usually be determined from a failure analysis, requiring examination of the failed part and some knowledge of service conditions and history. Fortunately, failure analysis is only a small part of MERL business. In MERL experience, the most common seal failure (e.g. O-ring failure) is caused by damage associated with rapid gas decompression events. A change in stiffness due to chemical ageing is also relatively common; here the original material selection choice may have been poor.