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Failing Gas Valves InvestigationClientCannot disclose due to confidentiality agreement. ChallengeA gas valve the customer had been producing was experiencing failure in use. The gauge was sticking in an open position, making it highly unsafe for its customers. They needed to understand what was causing the problem or risk certain liability repercussions. SolutionThrough design and failure analysis, it was determined that a contaminant on the valve stem was causing the part to stick during operation. Our analytical team abstracted the material from the product and used FTIR to identify the chemical make-up. The contaminant was determined to be palm oil. Working with the customer, we tried to determine the source. Palm oil was not used in their manufacturing process. But, as we looked into the manufacturing dates of the "bad" parts, it was discovered that they fell into the same time period. Further investigation found that a popcorn machine had been in place next the production line for a food shelf drive, during the same manufacturing period that was causing the problem. Oil from the machine was contaminating the parts. |
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