FTIR

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several RY4S-UAC110-120V power relays for failure analysis. A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to operate the switch, but other operating principles are also used, such as solid-state relays. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a separate low-power signal, or where several circuits must be controlled by one signal. Relays are used to control a high power or high voltage circuit with a low power circuit. The low power is isolated from the high power circuit. The RY4S-UAC110-120V power relays have 4PDT contact configuration, 5A contact current, quick connect relay terminals, and silver contact material. Their coil resistance is 4.29kohm. When given the RY4S-UAC110-120V power relays, we were to tasked with determining the stuck core/contact cause.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several Synchronization Supply Units (SSU); the covers of the SSU had contamination on them. Synchronization Supply Units are important in modern digital telecommunications networks because components of the network need to be accurately synchronized. The SSU ensures reliable distribution of the time signal kept by a Primary Reference Clock (PRC). There were stains located near the Capacitor -input filters (Pi filters) on both sides of the cover of the SSU. Capacitor-input filters are a type of electronic filter used to remove unwanted frequencies from a signal. They are called “Pi” filters because of their resemblance to the Greek letter “Pi”. The goal was to perform a chemical analysis of the contamination.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several Bourns Trimpot Trimming Potentiometers for failure analysis. A Potentiometer (known as a pot) is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. They are widely used for volume control in radio and television receivers. The Bourns Trimpot Trimming Potentiometer 3006P 203 has a standard resistance range of 10 to 5 megohms, the power rating of 400 volts maximum, and is ROHS compliant. Gideon Analytical Laboratories received good and bad units for comparison. The failures were addressed as having higher resistance or open.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) that had fading issues; there were five failing LCDs and a good LCD for comparison. An LCD is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals. LCDs are extremely common in electronic devices such as laptops, digital clocks, and watches, pocket calculators, microwave ovens, or CD players. LCDs are also used in televisions and produce a sharp and vivid image. LCDs are can be small, inexpensive to manufacture, and do not draw a lot of power. The LCDs that were received had fading issues on the side closest to the seal. The fading had occurred over time. The goal was to determine the cause of these failures.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received a Unity PLCC LED and was asked to perform FTIR analysis for the purpose of materials compatibility. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a process used to acquire an infrared spectrum of absorption, emission, or photoconductivity of some substance. It can work with solids, liquids, or gasses, and can reveal the chemical composition of numerous materials. Gideon Analytical Laboratories was asked specifically to utilize FTIR on two substances: a white encapsulate and a clear/colorless material.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories performed thermal mechanical analysis TMA and differential thermal analysis (DSC) on two plastics which compose the encapsulation of Unity LEDs. TMA is a measurement of a change of a dimension or a mechanical property when it is subjected to a temperature regime. DSC is a technique for quantitatively analyzing the chemical composition of a substance by observing its thermal behavior while being heated. The samples were disassembled and separated into three items to analyze; the white casing, the clear resin, and the clear core material.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several contaminated lead screw assemblies. Also received were three insulin samples, one grease sample, and several new parts making up the lead screw assembly. Lead screws are designed to translate turning/rotary motion into linear motion. The contamination on the shaft of the assembly was primarily concentrated between the bearing and the ball seal. The goal was to identify and determine the cause of the contamination.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories primarily used FTIR and SEM-EDS analysis for diagnostics. FTIR analysis was initially performed using an Analect DS-20 FTIR with an Analect XAD microspectrophotometer equipped with a small chip, high sensitivity MCT detector. The FTIR analysis revealed that the contaminate had a high degree of hydration, oxygen, and salt. The large contamination of salt will tend to migrate towards hydrated substances. The FTIR analysis also revealed that APIDRA was an integral component of the contaminate. SEM-EDS analysis was utilized to determine whether the contaminants were coming from the inherent materials or an outside source.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received three axial-lead resistors for failure analysis (pictured in the first picture directly below). A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. Their purpose is for creating a precise quantity of resistance for insertion into a circuit; they are typically constructed of metal wire or carbon and engineered to maintain a stable resistance value over a wide range of environmental conditions. Gideon Analytical Laboratories was tasked to identify the cause of failure in these resistors.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received three contaminated Buna-N diaphragms and several new ones for reference. These Buna-N diaphragms have a variety of applications, including in submersible level transmitters, actuary assemblies, air operated diaphragm pumps, and manual loading regulators. The goal was to identify the contamination and pinpoint its cause.

Upon examination under a stereo-zoom microscope, it was found that the surface of the sample contains a thick layer of a gel-like material. The gel had a brown tincture and fluoresced under black light. All three diaphragms were contaminated with this gel, which is pictured at the top left. The material from two patches of white material on the surface of the sample was removed and analyzed using FTIR. The white material can be seen pictured at the top right. The samples are similar to one another and showed absorptions due to fumed silica or amorphous silica with a small amount of the gel material seen in other samples.