Beginning in the 1980’s, a unique partnership for delivering outstanding mechanical failure analysis was started. Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. and MCS Associates, Inc. were involved in several international mechanical failure investigations and Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. provided mechanical testing, NDE and laboratory support, and a unique synergy for delivering mechanical and metallurgical failure analysis and testing.

It was largely as a result of this mechanical failure work that MCS was founded in the US in 1991, and it was a natural consequence for collaboration in mechanical failure and metallurgical failure testing between MCS and Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. to continue and grow. In 2001, MCS moved into offices on the Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. premises in Latrobe, PA, and more complete business assimilation in mechanical failure analysis began.

Although the two companies retain individual identities, their mechanical failure analysis operations are now fully integrated and together offer a complete failure analysis service. With the metallurgical laboratory and mechanical testing facilities at Product Evaluation Systems, Inc., the combined capabilities provide material selection, metallurgical failure analysis, heat treatment optimization, R&D projects and litigation support.

Mechanical Failure Analysis Experience

Our combined experience with mechanical and metallurgical failure analysis extends more than forty years, and has been a full-time occupation since Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. and MCS joined forces in 2001.

Our projects have included:

• Forensic investigation of damage to an afterburner in a municipal waste power generator;

• Mechanical failures to longwall mining components and mining chain;

• Manufacturing problems with microswitches, stainless steel, brass and bronze valves;

• Defects in high voltage switch components;

• Fatigue damage in railcars and identification of defects in a wide variety of cast, forged, rolled and drawn aluminum and specialty steel components.
   

In addition, Product Evaluation Systems, Inc./MCS has supported investigation of defects and mechanical and metallurgical failures in products and production hardware associated with a wide variety of industries in the tri-state area of PA, VA and OH. Consulting services have also extended to Canada, the UK and Europe.

Dr. Chris Bagnall

Dr. Bagnall, President of MCS Associates, Inc. and a Director of Product Evaluation Systems, Inc., has forty years of professional experience in physical metallurgy and mechanical failure analysis and testing. Early in his career, he worked at The Welding Institute in the UK, then at The Boeing Co. in Seattle, WA, and later at Westinghouse Advanced Energy Systems in Pittsburgh, PA. From 1993 to 2000, he was employed at Concurrent Technologies Corporation, Johnstown, PA, with project management responsibility. Dr. Bagnall has over thirty technical literature publications.  He is the co-editor of two books and has been granted three US Patents. He is a Fellow of ASM International, and is also a member of the International Metallographic Society.

Contact Us

We would be pleased to help with your materials problem with our mechanical and metallurgical failure analysis and testing capabilities. Our networking capabilities are worldwide and we can solicit help when needed on all types of metallurgical, mechanical, corrosion and service environment issues. Call MCS at 724-836-7837, or contact us for a mechanical failure analysis consultation today.