We provide radiography services that can assist clients with failure analysis of components. We use x-ray & radiography technology to get insights on how and why a competent failed that might otherwise be unobservant. Using our Radiography services, we can help you get more insight on a multitude of different situations.
The images below are taken of a bridge rectifier in a transfer switch for a back-up diesel generator. It failed when voltage spikes and electrical transients from the utility and did not allow the generator to be switched on during a power failure. An exemplar x-ray image is depicted below. This is what a bridge rectifier should look like.
This is what the bridge rectifier looked like after the failure.
2nd Example:
The image below is from an exemplar defrost heater from a freezer in a grocery store. The outer tube is constructed of stainless steel. The heating element inside is a nichrome wire that is coil inside the stainless steel tube. Separating the two is an insulating material – Magnesium Oxide. The image below is what a normal section of this heating element should look like.
The image below is a failed heating element that experienced a short circuit between the outer stainless steel tube and the nichrome wire.
Scientific References –
Lithium-Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment (above)
Identifying the Cause of Rupture of Li-Ion Batteries during Thermal Runaway (above)
In-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway (above)