We currently have a customer failure (cracked parts) and our investigation has concluded that the parts in question were cracked during compacting. The cracking was horizontal and did NOT extend to the surface of the part until undergoing assembly at the customer site.
Our current test method is to take samples during the compacting process, sinter them, and then do microscopic analysis of cross-sections. As you can imagine, this is a slow process (3 hours is a QUICK turnaround for sintering and analysis) and has an inherent potential for error.
Does anyone know of an alternative method which could be used to examine compacted powdered metal parts for cracking? I have already reviewed ultrasonic and eddy current testing, and found that neither of them are suitable at this stage.
Thanks in advance.
Our current test method is to take samples during the compacting process, sinter them, and then do microscopic analysis of cross-sections. As you can imagine, this is a slow process (3 hours is a QUICK turnaround for sintering and analysis) and has an inherent potential for error.
Does anyone know of an alternative method which could be used to examine compacted powdered metal parts for cracking? I have already reviewed ultrasonic and eddy current testing, and found that neither of them are suitable at this stage.
Thanks in advance.