Determination of the origin of failure in the soldered seals of the 22m3 mining dump semitrailer in the CONSERMET S.A.C. company

Abstract

In this investigation, a failure analysis of welded joints presented in the structure of a 22m3 tipper semi-trailer was made, from the perspective of five problematic categories common in welded joints: incompatibility of material-process, execution of undue welding, unspecified parameters, design inadequate geometry and requirements not provided. These are the hypotheses of this study. The objective was to determine the origin of failure of welded joints by applying analysis methodology: information collection, non-destructive testing of penetrating liquids, destructive tests of flexion and traction, metallographic testing by optical microscopy, analytical calculation applying "fault theories" and simulation of operating conditions in SolidWorks 2016. The results obtained were the following: the technical data sheets and the tests showed that the filler material is inferior in properties to the base material; the non-destructive test, the absence of superficial defects; destructive and metallographic tests, lack of fusion and penetration; the interview, omission of AWS code in the geometric design; the analytical calculation of the zone of the third axis in maximum tipping position and load, a safety factor n = 0.91; and the simulation of both positions with maximum load, high stress concentration in the fault zones. It was concluded that the fault originates because there is incompatibility between the base material and the input material; and because there is a lack of parameter specification. There was no poor welding performance. Due to lack of information, the existence of an undue geometric design or conditions or requirements not provided was not determined.