Failure Analysis of a Helical Compression Spring for a Heavy Vehicle’s Suspension System

An interesting  paper in « Case study in Engineering Failure Analysis » published on ScienceDirect.com. This paper analyzed why a compression coil spring fractured at the transition position from the bearing coil to the first active coil in service, while the nominal stress here should always be much less than that at the inside coil position of a fully active coil. Visual observations indicated that a wear scar was formed on the first active coil and the fracture surface showed radiating ridges emanating from the wear scar. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed crescent shaped region and beach marks, typical of fatigue failure. ZnCaph phosphate layer and painting around the contact zone were worn out due to contact and friction and resulted in corrosion and corrosion pits induced local stress concentration. Stress analysis indicated severe stress singularities at the edges of the contact zone, which facilitated cycle slip and fatigue crack nucleation. Recommendations were also made for improving the fatigue performance of the suspension springs.

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Interfering part of a steam turbine journal bearing

bearing part frettingJournal bearings as so sensitive parts of steam turbines are very susceptible to failure through different mechanisms of wear, fatigue and crush during service conditions. Failure occurring through these mechanisms lead to turbine completely shut down as a result of interfering in working conditions of bearing different parts. In this research, failed interfered part of a journal bearing related to a 320,000 kW steam turbine was examined.The studies were revealed that the bearing part loosing and inappropriate clearance can produce relative displacements under cyclic gradient loading. This condition was detrimental for the service life of turbine journal bearing via failure through fretting fatigue mechanism.

Acceder article

An investigation into failure analysis of interfering part of a steam turbine journal bearing

A new Case Studies in Engineering Failure Analysis. Journal bearings as so sensitive parts of steam turbines are very susceptible to failure through different mechanisms of wear, fatigue and crush during service conditions. Failure occurring through these mechanisms lead to turbine completely shut down as a result of interfering in working conditions of bearing different parts. In this research, failed interfered part of a journal bearing related to a 320,000 kW steam turbine was examined. The studies were revealed that the bearing part loosing and inappropriate clearance can produce relative displacements under cyclic gradient loading. This condition was detrimental for the service life of turbine journal bearing via failure through fretting fatigue mechanism.

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A Case Study – Rolling element bearing failure analysis

A new case study via ScienceDirect.com –Rolling element bearing failure analysisThis paper addresses Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) occurs due to the result of cyclic stress developed during operation and mechanism that involve in fretting failure of rolling element bearing. As bearing raceways of non-rotating rolling element bearings exposed to vibration or sliding oscillation false Brinelling occurs. Bearing surface due to false Brinelling tends to damage within a short period, due to cavities created on the bearing raceway. Recommendation towards enhancement of bearing life is also suggested.

Failure analysis of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ACSR) conductor of the transmission line crossing the Paraná River

Failure analysis of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ACSR) conductor of the transmission line crossing the Paraná River

Laboratory for Failure Analysis, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, PO Box 0141, São Paulo ZIP 01064-970, Brazil

Received 2 May 2002; Accepted 12 May 2002. Available online 19 October 2002.

Abstract

The failure of the conductor of the 460 kV overhead transmission line located along the crossing of the Paraná River was investigated. As a result of this failure, a blackout took place in the southern states of Brazil in January of 2002, reaching approximately 67 million inhabitants. Investigation of the external aluminium layer of the ACSR conductor near the fracture showed typical static deformation marks and dynamic fretting wear tangential marks, both associated with the presence of Al2O3 debris. Additionally, encrusted silicon particles were observed on the external surface of the strands. The internal Al layer showed elliptical deformation marks also associated with Al2O3 debris. Both Al2O3 and Si particles are efficient abrasive material, which associated with slight relative motion of metallic surfaces (clamp/strand and strand/strand) can promote fretting wear. Two types of fracture surface of the Al strands were identified: 45° and quasi-normal surfaces, the former being the predominant type. Delamination and particle detachment were the mechanisms of superficial degradation observed on the Al strands, indicating that the rupture of the strands occurred under a gross slip fretting regime induced by sub-conductor oscillation. Inspection of the internal surface of as-cast Al–10%Si spacer clamps revealed different stages of intense circumferential wear caused by the preferential cracking and particle detachment of the eutectic constituent of the as-cast microstructure. This intense wear reduces the clamping contact pressure, which allows higher displacement amplitude and leads to the critical fretting regime. Finally, a few suggestions are discussed to minimise the occurrence of future failures.

Keywords: Failure analysis; Power lines; Fretting; Wear; Rupture