Materials Selection and Failure Analysis

Mechanical equipment and systems often handle hazardous or even deadly substances, many of which are also corrosive. These systems typically operate under high temperatures and pressures and face service conditions that can lead to degradation and damage. If such damage is not detected and evaluated promptly, it may result in catastrophic failures, potentially causing significant loss of life and assets.

When designing this equipment, it is crucial to consider potential degradation mechanisms such as fracture, corrosion, erosion, fatigue, and creep, among others. These risks are usually addressed in the design by selecting suitable construction materials, allowing for additional thickness to account for corrosion, implementing control measures, and integrating safeguards to prevent operating conditions that exceed the design limits, ensuring the integrity of the equipment. In some cases, replacing the equipment or system may be necessary.

As a result, regular inspections of mechanical equipment and systems are essential to identify any damage, assess its impact on equipment integrity, and perform Fitness-for-Service evaluations.

This Materials Selection and Failure Analysis training course aims to equip participants with a thorough understanding of the materials selection process and the degradation mechanisms mechanical equipment may face during its service life. Participants will learn how to identify, predict, and assess the impact of these mechanisms, and what measures can be taken to prevent and control the resulting damage.

Additionally, the course will cover necessary actions to maintain or restore systems to a serviceable condition, including servicing, repair, modification, overhaul, inspection, and condition verification. These actions enhance system availability and help ensure that the equipment remains in operational condition.

This training course will feature:

• Study of mechanical faults related to mechanical equipment
• Failure modes including fracture, fatigue, high temperature creep and corrosion damage
• Materials types and selection
• Condition monitoring and trending
• Knowledge of non-destructive testing
• Fault Fining and Maintenance Techniques

This Materials Selection and Failure Analysis training course will systematically offer information that can be used to analyze and implement several fault-finding techniques and relate them to the installation, performance, operation and inspection of mechanical systems and equipment.

By the end of this training course participants will be able to:

• Provide participants with the main failure mechanisms of equipment
• Introduce materials types and selection
• Attempt to maximize and customer satisfaction and performance of production equipment efficiently and, regularly, through high utilization of facility and adjusted and serviced equipment.
• Prevent breakdown or failures and minimize frequency and severity of interruptions.
• Maximize useful life of equipment and minimize production loss from failures.
• Increase reliability of the operating systems
• Keep equipment safe and prevent safety hazards