Physical Testing

Massachusetts Materials Research, Inc. Massachusetts Materials Research,Inc.MMR specializes in the practical application ofMaterials Testing, Materials Engineering, Failure 1500 Century Drive, West Boylston, MA 01583 Analysis and Forensic Engineering. Phone: 508-835-6262 Fax: 508-835-9025 http://massmaterials.com

Massachusetts Materials Research, Inc. is an employee owned (ESOP) Materials Testing,Engineering and Consulting firm. We have been providing Professional Services since1961, and are part of the MMR Group, Inc.The Group includes three divisions, each with its own staff and laboratory to collectivelyserve diverse markets and locations. We have extensive experience with metals and non-metals, such as plastics, ceramics, and composites.We provide services to the Medical Device Industry, Aerospace Industry, CommercialManufacturing Industries, the Defense Department, Transportation and AutomotiveIndustries, Municipalities, Nuclear Industry, and Power Generation Industry.We also provide Forensic Engineering, Materials Engineering, Consulting, and ExpertWitness Services to the Legal and Insurance professions as well.Not only are our Experts versed in many aspects of Material Science and commercialmanufacturing processes, they are equally versed in the processes and procedures ofproviding Legal Depositions and Professional Courtroom Testimony.We have multiple accreditations and numerous independent vendor approvals.

Types of Materials Analyzed Analysis Techniques ICP- Inductively Coupled Plasma/Atomic EmissionMetals & Alloys, RoHS Materials,Industrial Minerals, Ceramics, Slag’s & Spectrometer. (ASTM E1479)Deposits, Residues (Organic & Combustion Analysis (Carbon and Sulfur, ASTMInorganic), Plastics, Polymers (Non-destructive & Destructive), Rubbers, E1019)Elastomers (Non-destructive & Gas Analysis (Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, ASTMDestructive) E1019) Ion Chromatography (Anions, ASTM D4327, D5085, E165) FTIR- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (ASTM E573, E3677, E1252) Microscopic FTIR DSC- Differential Scanning Calorimetry - Measures melting point & glass transition temperature. (ASTM D1519, D3418, D4591, E794, E1356) TGA- Thermogravimetric Analysis - Measures filler content.(ASTM E1131) Wet Chemistry (Special Methods, Deposit Loading) Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) & X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) available upon request.

• Tensile Testing from -450°F to 1800°F (ASTM E8)• Charpy Impact (ASTM E23)• 3 pt and 4 pt Bend (ASTM E290, ASME Section IX)• Single, Double, and Lap Shear (AWS D17.2)• Weld Procedure Qualification (ASME Section IX; AWS D1.1, D1.5, D1.2, D17.1, D17.2)• Flexural Strength• Compression Strength (ASTM E9)• Tube Flare and Flattening Tests• Fasteners- Bolts & Nuts• In-house Machine Shop• Specimen & Fixture Machining

Bearing FailureThe failed components from a Hydropower Unit Bearing were submitted to MMR in order to perform aroot cause failure analysis. The bearing performed satisfactorily for an initial period of 6 days, then, after abrief floating period it encountered a catastrophic failure within 6 hours of being placed back into service.Chemical and metallurgical analyses of the materials and conditions of the different components showedthat they met the required specifications and any material related anomalies were ruled out to becontributory to the bearing failure.The damage pattern noted on the bearing components indicated that an external source led to the failure.The rollers were welded to the inner race/cone; minimum damage was noted on the outer race/cup; mostof the cage was intact. After in-detail investigation, it was surmised that the cage and rollers were stationarydue to the external obstruction. The rotating cone was spinning inside the stationary rollers generatingsignificant friction and heat between the two components which tempered the components causing plasticdeformation and eventually welding. The core experienced thermal expansion causing it to destroy theinterference fit thus allowing the cone to creep up and freeze on the shaft.

Dental NeedleIn the case of a dental anesthesia needle breaking off in a patients jaw, MMR was retained by a LawFirm to provide technical support in the case.Fractographic examination of the broken needle and metallurgical analysis of the of the needlemicrostructure concluded that the failure was the result of bending fatigue which occurred over aperiod of time.Upon revealing this information to the parties involved, it was disclosed that the single use needlehad in fact been used for multiple anesthesia applications and the case was promptly settled.