Forensic Materials & Testing Services

Materials preserve a record of the stresses, environments, and events they’ve endured. EDT deciphers that record through targeted laboratory analytical techniques, providing clients a clear picture of what happened and, most importantly, what to do next.

When Materials Fail, We Find Out Why

Material failures often leave behind a "fingerprint" - distinctive physical evidence that reveals how and why the failure occurred. At EDT, we use forensic materials analysis to study that evidence and uncover the root cause of failure. By pairing advanced laboratory analytical techniques with deep forensic-engineering know-how, we reconstruct the moment of failure and deliver clear, defensible conclusions about cause, responsibility, and prevention. Insurers, litigators, and loss-control teams count on our fast, objective insights to resolve claims and protect future operations.

What We Analyze

In forensic engineering, the failed component is often the most important piece of evidence. Our forensic materials testing services focus on analyzing the physical item-its composition, surface features, and microscopic details-to identify the cause of failure. We apply targeted methods based on the material involved and the nature of the incident.

We commonly test and evaluate:

Ferrous and non-ferrous metals - including carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, titanium, brass, and copper alloy, valves, mechanical parts, glass panels, and structural components
Plastics and polymers - used in piping, fittings, medical devices, consumer products, and more
Glass, ceramics, and composites - including tempered glass failures and building materials such as concrete and masonry
Coatings, adhesives, and non-metallic finishes - for degradation, delamination, or contamination issues
Welds and joints - to assess weld integrity, compatibility, and proper fabrication
Fire- and heat-damaged materials - to determine whether failure was due to thermal exposure or another root cause, as well as to assess any degradation of the original material properties.
Corroded or environmentally degraded materials - such as tanks, valves, piping, and HVAC components
Fractured or ruptured components - including valves, mechanical parts, glass panels, and structural components

"There's nothing we haven't seen."

Scott Lieberman, PhD, Director of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at EDT

Our Capabilities & Testing Methods

Our materials evaluations are rooted in careful observation, scientific analysis, and real-world engineering experience. We apply the most appropriate combination of visual inspection, microscopic examination, and laboratory testing to understand material properties and determine how and why a failure occurred.

We choose testing methods based on the component, material type, environment, and the questions being asked. Sometimes a simple optical inspection tells the story. In other investigations, we combine several approaches to ensure a clear, objective, and reliable answer.

Common forensic materials testing methods include:

Visual and Optical Inspection

Stereomicroscopy and optical microscopy are used to inspect surface features, crack initiation points, and visible signs of wear, fatigue, or corrosion.
These methods are often the first step in identifying fracture modes and determining where to examine or test further.

Fractography

A close study of fracture surfaces to determine failure mode-brittle vs. ductile, overload vs. fatigue, fast fracture vs. slow crack growth.
Can reveal whether failure was sudden, progressive, or related to environmental effects.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Provides high-magnification imaging of fracture surfaces and material features not visible with light microscopy.
Allows us to examine fracture features, corrosion morphology, and microstructural characteristics with precision.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

Used to identify crystal structure, phases, or heat-induced changes in metals, ceramics, and some coatings.

Metallography & Microstructural Evaluation

Examines a material's internal structure to assess grain size, phase distribution, heat treatment, or manufacturing defects.
Helps determine whether a component was properly processed or if internal flaws contributed to failure.

Chemical Composition Analysis

Used to confirm alloy types, detect material substitutions, or identify deviations from expected material specifications.
Particularly useful when a supplier or manufacturer's material choice is in question.

Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)

Paired with SEM to determine the elemental composition of the material of interest as well as of localized features such as inclusions, coatings, contaminants, and corrosion products.
Useful in identifying unexpected contaminant materials, galvanic interactions, or evidence of chemical attack.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Stress Analysis

Used to model stress conditions or load scenarios that may have contributed to failure.
Often paired with lab results to offer a more complete picture of failure mechanisms.