FRACTURE FAILURE ANALYSIS IN TIE RODS OF STACKER RECLAIMER

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze the causes of premature failure by fracture of a tie rod of a large rotary forklift or Stacker Reclaimer. A methodology that included visual inspection techniques, macrographic analysis, optical microscopy (OM), Vickers microhardness (HV) measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), semi-quantitative chemical scattering spectroscopy (EDS) and quantitative chemical analysis by optical emission spectrometry and combustion was employed. It could be concluded that the chemical composition of the material and / or the manufacturing process were outside the specification of the material due to the unexpected presence of magnesium and carbon graphite nodules, the latter considered to cause fragility that may have led the material to fracture by fatigue.