After a successful course, the student shall

- display knowledge of and be able to understand the various types of failures their mechanisms (Static and fatigue), and the material/process related reasons behind failure
- display detailed knowledge of the cast metal microstructural features and their role on the failure (Cast Iron, Al, and Mg)

- demonstrate the ability to apply different analytical techniques to determine the cause of the failure and recognize the possible factors leading to materials failure
- demonstrate skills on how to plan, control and conduct a failure analysis process
- demonstrate the ability to identify the impact of different environmental (temperature, work environment, processing etc) conditions on the deformation and crack growth of cast metals.

- demonstrate the ability to choose the right methodology for conducting analysis and processing to provide root causes for a failure
- demonstrate an understanding of the various root causes (material, design, operational) of the failure and determine the exact failure mechanism.

The course gives knowledge of various failure mechanisms and methodology of failure analysis especially in cast metals. The various factors behind the failure from aspect of materials, design, processing and operational parameters are discussed. It covers the deformation of cast metals at both room and elevated temperature and provides knowledge on fracture mechanics. The environmental factors such as temperature and corrosion affecting the failure are studied. The approach, planning and execution of failure analysis process and related analytical techniques are also discussed.

The course includes the following elements:
- Structure of metals
- Failure modes in cast materials: ductile and brittle fracture, fatigue, creep
- Analysis methods for the study of fracture surfaces
- Plastic deformation, crack nucleation and growthmechanism
- Study of environmental factors (temperature, corrosion) and related failures
- General outcomes and discussion about failure analysis

Lectures, exercise and project work.

The teaching is conducted in English.

Passed courses at least 90 credits within the major subject in Mechanical Engineering, and 21 credits Mathematics, and completed courses in Component Casting, 6 credits, and Material Testing and Characterisation, 6 credits. English Language requirements corresponding to English 6 or English B in the Swedish upper secondary school (or the equivalent).

The course is graded 5,4,3 or Fail.

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Examination1	3 credits	5/4/3/U
Exercises and Project Work	3 credits	U/G

¹ Determines the final grade of the course, which is issued only when all course units have been passed.

The literature list for the course will be provided one month before the course starts.

Title: Understanding how components fail, 2nd Edition
Författare: Book of Donald J. Wulpi,

Title: ASM metals handbook – Vol 11 – Failure analysis