Failure Analysis and Litigation Support
Accident Investigation and Reconstruction
Engineering and Product Development

We are a prominent Metallurgical Engineering and Failure Analysis consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas. Our president and founder, Dr. Ray Claxton, built this company on integrity, research, and detailed factual development of conclusions. While we are successful and very involved in the aviation community, our customers also span the non-aviation products spectrum. Our versatility extends from the multifaceted experience of our professional staff and our team approach allows us to work efficiently and thoroughly on very large projects as well as on those of short duration.

Failure Analysis and Litigation Support

Like it or not, failures sometimes occur and injuries sometimes result. Whether you manufacture or use products, in the litigation arena you need to show you care about safety. Also, failures can be very costly. It is crucial the facts surrounding the event be established and the conclusions be based upon solid evidence. This not only requires tenacious research and the ability to examine a scenario thoroughly, it also requires an ability to clearly explain a complicated failure scenario to a court and jury. Materials Analysis thrives in this environment.

From any perspective, knowing the truth is paramount in establishing a realistic litigation strategy. And while the Truth may not always be attractive, it is the Truth and it guides our actions. Regardless of your party or position in the litigation process, the truth, its factual basis, and its clear explanation is our service to you.

You'll sleep well knowing Materials Analysis is on the job. The Materials Analysis team is well-informed. Thorough. Articulate. You have enough to worry about without being concerned whether your Technical t's and Investigative I's are crossed and dotted. That's what we do.

Accident Investigation and Reconstruction

In response to numerous client requests, we have developed our aviation accident investigation and reconstruction capability. This minimizes our client's need to solicit those specialized services individually and adds more depth to our ability to examine a problem globally. Additionally, it extends the thread of continuity from the early stages of an investigation through component failure analysis and litigation, strengthening our client's ability to accurately assess their exposure throughout their involvement.

Are you prepared for the worst case scenario? We are.
In preparation for that scenario, an action plan is crucial. A chain of command and a process by which safety issues are evaluated and implemented must be established. Your products are no less important than anyone else's, but do you have a decision matrix by which you decide which events merit what level of interest and response? Do you have a policy in place? We can help.

Imagine a catastrophic accident or failure at a remote location, possibly with injuries, but most certainly with enormous expense and lost revenue. Upon notification, a rapid response is essential. Proper investigative technique must be employed, biohazard protection assured and records kept.

The chain of events must be determined and an informed on-scene documentation followed immediately by acquisition of witness interviews and signed statements. Maintenance records must be gathered. Component integrity and chain of custody must be established. Follow-up component testing and failure analysis must be coordinated and scheduled.

In the event of litigation, experts must be brought up to speed, opinions formed, and probable causes determined. Credible testimony in understandable language must be given by qualified professionals.

Engineering and Product Development

Materials Analysis is a company of thinkers and inventors. Problem solvers. We have found many companies face product shortcomings so historically prevalent and longstanding they have become accepted product limitations. Do you have materials deficiencies or recurring failures of a certain type?

Think of us as an off-line Skunk Works or personal independent lab. Once we reach the state of the art, we can advance it. With our ability to apply computer modeling, finite element analysis, and mechanical testing of actual hardware, we can improve your core designs and rapidly develop new ideas into products - much faster than most companies can in-house.

Materials Analysis, Inc., provides a wide variety of materials engineering services embracing metallics, polymeric, and composite systems. We utilize computer-aided design and stress analysis for design verification and optimization, component life assessment and identification of at-risk components prior to catastrophic failure. Our mechanical testing facilities feature computer controlled servohydraulic load systems specifically configured for wide ranging versatility. We are comfortable conducting high level standardized tests such as fatigue crack growth rate and fracture toughness assessments. However, we also advance the state of the art by designing new test protocols or conducting complicated, one-of-a-kind, multiple load path simulation tests at the component level. Thorough photographic documentation of the evidence is routine - starting with 35mm photography and progressing through light microscopy and ultimately to scanning microscopy if appropriate.

We have many ideas and we'd like to share them with you! Give us a chance to solve your toughest problems.

In addition to invention of new products, other technical services we provide include:

• Pre-failure assessment of operating components such as municipal pumps, valves and pressure vessels
• Failure analysis and prevention to manufacturers, municipalities, and fleet operators
• Research and development in both commercial and military sectors
• Technical consultation and expert testimony in product liability litigation
  
  

The professional staff at Materials Analysis brings more than 80 years combined engineering, metallurgical and aviation experience spanning the spectrum of industrial manufacturing and operations. Your good night's sleep is important to us! You have a tough job to do. You can better focus on your work with Materials Analysis on the job! Tell us about your toughest problems and let us help you solve them.