Spring Failure Analysis

Spring failure analysis is a methodical procedure to ascertain the cause of a spring’s failure, be it a coil spring, leaf spring, torsion spring, or any other form. Understanding the causes of failure aids in preventing it in the future.

A spring failure analysis is essential in various industries, as it helps engineers identify the cause of a failure and provide recommendations to prevent similar failures in the future. This includes gathering relevant information about the spring, such as its type, material, manufacturing process, service history, operational conditions, and the circumstances leading to the failure. Visual examination can provide initial clues about the failure mechanism, while non-destructive testing techniques like magnetic particle inspection, ultrasonic testing, and dye penetrant inspection can reveal hidden defects or discontinuities.

Material identification is crucial, as different materials have different properties and are susceptible to different failure mechanisms. Mechanical testing evaluates the material’s hardness, tensile strength, or fatigue strength, revealing its suitability for the loads and stresses it was subjected to. Microscopy examination and fractographic analysis can identify fracture features and modes of fracture, as well as the origin and direction of crack propagation. Chemical analysis can identify impurities or elements that could have influenced the spring’s behavior.

Failure mode and root cause analysis can be conducted using all the gathered information to identify the failure mode and determine the root cause, which could involve factors like design flaws, improper material selection, manufacturing defects, operational issues, or maintenance deficiencies. Report writing summarizes the findings, explains the cause of failure, and provides recommendations to prevent similar failures in the future.

Our Metallurgical Failure Analysis Team performs Spring Failure Analysis on a variety of spring types for businesses from a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, military, nuclear, consumer products, and more.Whether a failure is the result of poor design and application, faulty material, manufacturing flaws, or environmental influences, our thorough testing can identify the root cause.

Valve spring failure, coil spring failure, and leaf spring failure are just a few of the various testing services. We analyze the failure morphology (mode) of extension, torsion, and compression springs to see if metallurgical, environmental, and operational factors were relevant at the time of failure. 

Infinita Lab adheres to all spring failure analysis testing standards, including but not limited to ASTM E2332, Standard Procedure for Investigation and Analysis of Physical Component Failures, and any applicable specific methods. This includes any benchmarks set forth by the industry. For our clients, Infinita Lab is positioned as a pioneer in failure analysis services because to our comprehensive investigation, inspection, and quality assurance services.

H3  Causes of Frequent Spring Failures

• Manufacturing Methods
• Design Problems with Fatigue Products
• Insufficient Materials
• Unsuitable Service
• Impacts on the Environment

H3  Techniques for Spring Failure Analysis:

• Chemical Evaluation
• Microhardness Analysis
• Scanning electron microscopy for metallography (SEM)
• Vision examination

H3  Springs Testing: Several Varieties of Springs

• Springs for extension
• Springs in torsion
• Springs with Continuous Force
• Charlotte Springs
• Springs for drawbars
• Springs Volute
• Springs Garter
• Leaf Springs and Flat Springs
• Springs Gas
• Springs Air
• Automatic Springs
• Spring Boxes.