Failure Analysis & Process Trouble Shooting

Smithers Rapra has provided technical support to the polymer & end user sectors for over 50 years. In that time we have undertaken tens of thousands of polymer (plastics, rubber, TPEs, fibre, adhesive, coatings & paint) failure investigations offering a rapid & unbiased assessment of failed products / materials & the identification of the probable cause of failure.

Our Polymer Consultancy has a dedicated team of high calibre polymer specialist’s drawn from industry who have a fundamental understanding of polymer behaviour, how they polymer products / parts perform in-service, extensive experience of failure modes & a practical appreciation of design & processing. Supported by our extensive microscopy, analytical & mechanical testing laboratories our experts are able to fully characterise polymer composition & mechanical performance in order to rapidly assess the cause of product / material failure &, importantly, recommend remedial / corrective actions to minimise the risk of further failure & if possible improve device, component or structure performance.

Our team is highly customer focused & sensitive to the fact that product failure is a critical, costly event, which needs to be dealt with swiftly.

Whatever the cause of failure, there is a cost, both financial & in market perception. This often results in disputes occasionally litigation.

When no party within the manufacturing & end user chain is willing to admit responsibility for failure & its associated costs & damages an independent failure investigation provided by Smithers Rapra can be hugely beneficial when settling disputes. Please refer to expert Witness Services for investigations for the legal & insurance professions.