Means to avoid fractures

To avoid a premature fracture it is of importance to analyze and evaluate the main influences being of importance for the service strength. These are loading conditions at usage., environmental influence and the strength of the construction depending on design, material used and manufacturing. Based on the analysis of the fracture cause, the appropriate means could be selected and its expected influence estimated; also the possible sanation procedure, if possible and of interest, could be determined. The possibility of a design change by which the stresses at critical areas are decreased should be regarded as the most effective step for an improvement. The decisions concerning the change of the material or manufacturing procedure should be taken into account, especially if the failures are mainly influenced by these parameters, as it is shown on individual examples presented in this paper. Only by an analysis, which takes into account as well the results of the failure analysis as allp ossible means to improve the failed component an effective, economical solution could be achieved.