Microscopy analysis of damaged aeronautical components

Microscopy analysis can play a major role in the context of the evaluation of failed components, allowing the observation of fracture surfaces and other material's features which are essential to the identification of some particular failure mechanisms affecting aircraft components. This paper is focused in the failure analysis of damaged components based either on macroscopic or microscopic observations. A set of selected examples are presented and analyzed, which were based in the investigation of aeronautical components that failed under distinct loading conditions. Whichever the case, the use of microscopy analysis is a key factor for the assessment of damage mechanisms regardless the type of materials that can be either metallic alloys or high performance composites. Final remarks from the presented examples and the detailed explanation of the microscopy techniques in its basis may be of special interest to those who are concerned with the failure analysis of aeronautical components, being a contributor factor for the maximization of safety standards during the design, maintenance or operation phases of different types of aircrafts.