Quality Verification of Steel Fasteners

Testing and analysing metals forms one of the functions which our laboratories undertake. This testing can take the form of failure analysis, corrosion investigation, chemical analysis and macro/micro inspection. One very longstanding technical service which we have provided to metal component importers and sellers, is that of quality verification.

There are hundreds of metal part and component importers all over Ireland, importing components from Europe, Asia and the Americas. Many of these components are mechanical fixings and fasteners and for this segment, we have been a longstanding provider of quality verification services. Quality verification is important as occasionally, through no fault of the importer, fixings and fasteners may be physically or chemically different from that purchased. Our quality verification is detailed, and involves a suite of testing including eight measurement geometric measurements, metallographic analysis using scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis using x-ray fluorescence, x-ray spectroscopy and Hardness Testing (Rockwell C).

Earlier this year we were contacted by a longstanding importer of fasteners who had advised us that a corrosion issue had arisen with a consignment of ‘half thread austenitic stainless steel bolts’.

The local distributor carried out an ‘indicative magnet test’ and found to his horror that some of the bolts were indeed strongly magnetic, a property not associated with austenitic stainless steel. They supplied a large number of half thread bolts to the laboratory and whilst physically looking very similar, were compositionally different. Our first task was to bisect the bolt along the thread length. This was undertaken using our Precision Automated Cutting Instrument and allowed us to examine the internal structure and composition of the bolt.

Using scanning electron microscopy with Emission Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), our detailed elemental analysis of the cut section, allowed us to determined that within the specific consignment, were mixed both austenitic stainless steel half thread bolts and ZPCr3 mild steel bolts. Certainly not what our client had ordered!

Following the submission of our Technical Report, the matter proceeded slowly to a pre-legal stage, which is unfortunate as the facts uncovered by our detailed chemical analysis did speak for themselves. The matter proceeded to the Law Library where without prejudice discussions between the Irish importer of the fixings (our client) and the European distributor. With Counsel and Solicitors present, we presented findings……which were accepted by the defendants.

Facts derived from detailed forensic analysis of materials must never be presented in instalments, and in this matter, the application of detailed materials analysis, presented in a highly illustrated Technical Report, avoided a legal remedy.

In any matter regarding the uncertainty of materials, the ownership of any proven liability, must always be established with certainty. Using bespoke, boutique materials analysis, we can be entrusted to elucidate the facts. Please contact our materials team.