Quest Reliability’s team of experts is skilled at investigating the proximate cause of failure in both static and rotating plant and equipment.  Our staff employs a multidisciplinary approach to examining the full spectrum of causes of failures including design issues, materials of construction and manufacture, lubrication and operational regimes.   

For failures which have a safety or regulatory consequence Quest Reliability also has engineers skilled in conducting comprehensive Root Cause Failure Analysis.

In addition to developing detailed technical explanations and supporting evidence for failures that have occurred, Quest Reliability also applies its expertise in helping determine and eliminate defects in design and operational protocols, to prevent the occurrence of similar future failures.  We have extensive experience in providing expert testimony and support in mediation, arbitration and litigation environments.  Specialized capabilities contributing to the quality of our services in this area include:

• Forensic fracture mechanics and stress analysis
• Fatigue failure reconstruction and analysis
• Root cause failure investigations
• Remaining life assessment of assets with detected cracks or other damage, e.g., corrosion
• Metallurgical assessments and materials testing of new, used and failed components and equipment
• Failure-related materials research and testing in support of such research
• Preparation of expert testimony with supporting evidence for use in mediation, arbitration or litigation

Following a failure investigation, Quest Reliability’s staff will make recommendations aimed at preventing further failures and can assist clients with implementing corrective procedures.

Quest Reliability has specialized expertise in gas and steam turbines failure investigation, including:

• Aircraft engines and other aviation-related subjects (e.g., frame)
• Land-based industrial turbines for:
  • Power generation
  • Compressor duty
  • Pumping

Our specialized expertise for RCFA of rotating equipment includes capabilities to:

• Perform detailed condition assessment of components, for example blades, vanes, combustors and their respective coatings
• Perform detailed metallurgical failure assessment to identify damage mechanisms, using advanced methods and technologies such as electron microscopy techniques to make an assessment of thermal exposure
• Assess local and general oxidation and hot corrosion rates
• Apply an extensive database of alloy material properties
• Evaluate inspection and operation history, including data trending
• Perform high resolution electron microscopy and chemical analysis
• Perform high temperature mechanical testing in our laboratory including determination of remaining creep life of gas turbine blades

For further information about Failure Investigation, please contact us.