Failure Analysis
Component failure, particularly the occurrence of broken and defective rails, is a significant source of disruption to railway operations and has serious safety implications for all users of the rail network.
It is critical that individual failure modes are correctly identified and recorded to ensure that investment in corrective actions is effective and results in a safer, more reliable railway system.
Corus has world-class knowledge of fatigue and fracture analysis of railway components, with all of the skills required to conduct detailed metallurgical investigations of component failure. Detailed analysis requires the use of a wide range of investigative techniques, including:
- Scanning electron microscopy
- Digital optical microscopy
- Image analysis
- Composition analysis
- Metallographic preparation and inspection
- Non-destructive testing
- Profile measurement
- Mechanical testing
Corus establishes the root causes of component failure, and recommends corrective and preventative actions to reduce the number of future failures, improving operational performance and railway safety.
