We help clients understand why materials and components fail in service through independent investigation, thermal analysis, and applied materials expertise focused on degradation, failure mechanisms, and long-term in-service performance.
Supporting Failure Investigation and Corrective Action
Material and component failures can affect qualification, operational reliability, safety, and long-term platform performance across demanding defense environments. Smithers expertise in failure investigation and materials assessment includes:- Polymer and elastomer failure investigation
- Fracture analysis and degradation assessment
- Thermal analysis and material characterization
- Material identification and comparative analysis
- Support for supplier changes, reformulation, and obsolescence investigations
- Corrective action recommendations and failure mitigation support
- Investigation support for evolving material requirements and qualification issues
Materials Characterization and Failure Analysis Support
Smithers combines applied polymer and elastomer materials expertise with independent analysis and laboratory investigation to support root-cause assessment, corrective action, and reliability improvement for polymer and elastomer defense applications. Our capabilities include:- Thermal analysis including DSC, TGA, and DMA
- Chemical analysis, material identification, and compositional assessment
- Polymer and elastomer failure analysis
- Comparative material benchmarking and contamination assessment
- Environmental exposure and degradation evaluation
- Failure investigation support for qualification, reliability, and in-service issues
Defense Failure Investigation Applications
Smithers supports failure investigation and materials assessment across demanding defense operating environments, including:- Seals, gaskets, hoses, and fluid-handling components
- Connector systems, cable protection, and sensor housings
- UAV, autonomous, and uncrewed defense systems
- Lightweight polymer structures, sensor housings, and protective enclosures
- Components exposed to environmental stress, thermal cycling, fluid exposure, and long-term ageing
Standards and Analytical Methods
Investigation programs may include methods and analysis aligned to relevant industry and application-specific standards, including:- ASTM E1131
- ASTM polymer and elastomer analysis methods
- ISO material characterization and failure investigation methods
- Customer-defined and application-specific analytical protocols
Why Smithers
- Independent specialist in polymer and elastomer materials
- ISO 17025 accredited laboratories
- Cyber Essentials certified
- JOSCAR registered
- NADCAP accredited capabilities
- Deep expertise in polymer degradation, failure mechanisms, and materials behaviour under demanding operating conditions
- Independent investigation and applied materials analysis capability
- Support from failure investigation through to corrective action and in-service assessment
