What was the challenge or problem to solve?
In certain manufacturing industries, the reliability of components is crucial for the safety and efficiency of products. A particularly challenging case arose during a lifespan test of some components, where the appearance of various types of oxides was observed. After discussions with the client, it was decided to carry out reverse engineering of electronic components to try to identify the cause and find a solution.
The main challenge was to measure the thickness and evaluate the homogeneity of the zinc coating on the screws, both new and those that had failed the tests, to determine if they met the required standards.
The project was led by INFINITIA’s Forensic Engineering team, who faced the task of analyzing the oxidation state and the zinc coating characteristics of the screws. The investigation was prompted by the need to ensure that all screws used offered the same level of corrosion protection and met quality standards.
A tailored method was designed to carry this out. The first step involved preparing samples of both new screws and those that had shown failures to ensure they could be properly observed under the microscope.
Subsequently, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to inspect the profile of the screws. This technique allowed for the evaluation of the homogeneity and thickness of the zinc coating on the screws, providing a clear and precise image of their condition. Finally, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis complemented the investigation by verifying the chemical composition of the screws and their coating.
This comprehensive approach not only confirmed the manufacturer’s specifications but also revealed crucial differences between the new screws and those that had failed. This project prvided the client with a greater understanding of the deficiencies in the screws that could lead to failures.
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