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A “Toolbox” for Forensic Engineers

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148 <strong>Forensic</strong> Materials Engineering: Case Studies<br />

Figure 5.13 Closer view of fractures. Notice the large blowhole is not in the<br />

fractured area. The smaller one (arrowed) represents approximately 10% of the<br />

total fracture area of both limbs.<br />

Figure 5.14 Etched microstructure of flake graphite cast iron (magnification<br />

75¥).<br />

gases evolved at the interface between the metal and the sand mold when the<br />

liquid iron was poured. Holes <strong>for</strong>med by gases being released within the body<br />

of liquid metal during solidification would be much smaller and distributed<br />

uni<strong>for</strong>mly throughout the cross section.<br />

The foundry can there<strong>for</strong>e be blamed <strong>for</strong> releasing a casting containing<br />

visible blowholes, but the total cross-sectional area of only the one limb is<br />

reduced by 5% or so; hence they would have minimal effect on the bending<br />

strength. As there is not the slightest suggestion this could be a fatigue failure,<br />

these faults cannot be responsible <strong>for</strong> the sudden fracture that occurred the<br />

first time the footrest came under load.

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