All of these factors can cause premature failure of components
and systems well short of their design lives and raise significant
warranty issues for suppliers.
MERL are actively involved in investigations into why components
have failed and what can be done to modify the component to minimise
the chances of a similar failure recurring.
A key benefit of employing MERL for failure analysis is that all
failure investigations are independent of all parties who have an
interest in the failed component.
Investigations often include laboratory testing of components to
simulate the failure in controlled laboratory conditions and to then
correlate laboratory failure with the service failure. Finite Element
Analysis is also used to study design modifications before redesigned
prototype components are manufactured and retested.
Components analysed include:
- Anti-vibration mounts and bushes - automotive, rail, marine, civil
- Rail couplings
- Seals
- Pressurised hoses - automotive, rail, oil and gas, civil
- Composite aerospace components
- Primary hydraulic systems driveshafts - aerospace
- Fibre reinforced plastic pipes and building structures
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