Fracture failure analysis of metal materials by visual inspection and destructive testing

A methodology is presented to perform fault analysis in metal materials that have failed due fracture. The proposed method was applied the study of a fracture jaw supporting test pieces universal machine used for mechanical tests on materials. structured two stages, initially visual inspection element, followed by series destructive identify characteristics material and occurrence failure. Visual identified morphology zone with gloss characteristic cleavage shape corresponding fragile brittle material. With arc spark spectrometry composition identified, Metallography showed formation martensite typical medium-carbon steels subjected thermal hardening scanning electron microscopy precipitation carbides at grain boundary, as well presence gaps other metallic non-metallic inclusions microstructure. allowed characterize propose an appropriate solution identifying possible hidden faults solving root problem.