Engineering capability

Failure Analysis

Understand how electronic hardware failed, what the evidence supports and which engineering actions follow.

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Define the investigation

Start with the failure, not the instrument.

A useful investigation begins with the observed behaviour, operating history and available evidence. Spacerel develops an investigation plan that considers the component, assembly and system together.

  • Electronic component and semiconductor/device failures
  • PCBA, MCM and hybrid microelectronics investigations
  • Interconnect, solder, wire-bond and die-attach failures
  • Field returns, intermittent faults and thermal problems

Preserve the evidence

A sequence designed around the question.

Non-destructive examination and electrical checks should inform any destructive work. The programme can incorporate optical microscopy, X-ray, CT, SAM, SEM/EDX, cross-sectioning or material analysis where these methods address a specific hypothesis.

The sequence, specimen selection and acceptance criteria are agreed before testing. Observations are distinguished from interpretation, and competing explanations are considered.

Engineering outcome

From a failure mechanism to a defensible conclusion.

A damaged feature is not automatically the root cause. Findings must be connected to the design, materials, manufacturing process or operating conditions that could produce them.

  • Documented observations and failure-mechanism assessment
  • Evidence supporting or rejecting root-cause hypotheses
  • Corrective-action and verification recommendations
  • A technical report that identifies remaining uncertainties

Connected expertise

Related capabilities and technical resources

Discuss the engineering challenge

A clear requirement is the first step.

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