Anderson Materials Evaluation, Inc. has collaborated with numerous law firms, forensic engineering firms, and insurance companies to address risk management issues and assist in technical litigation involving materials and their properties.

Case Studies:

• Building Systems:
  • Evaluated corrosion and other failures in building water systems, air conditioning systems, and sprinkler systems.
  • Investigated the etching of window glass by cleaning compounds.
  • Analyzed the chemical destruction of concrete and stone facades.
  • Examined corrosion in metal facades and window and door frames.
  • Assessed fire retardants in cedar roofing shakes and water penetration in mortars and sealants.
• Product Safety and Liability:
  • Confirmed welding splatter as the cause of plate glass window damage.
  • Determined microscopic nickel sulfide inclusions caused shattering of atrium plate glass windows.
  • Identified the true manufacturer in a case of noxious odor-producing foam material.
  • Proved a camouflage suit was not treated with claimed fire retardants.
  • Verified that lenses in eyeglasses were not safety glass as claimed.
  • Analyzed the cause of massive corrosion in an aluminum swimming pool ladder, leading to injury, and apportioned costs among involved parties.
• Material and Component Failures:
  • Determined sulfuric anodization process incompatibility with high chlorine environments led to aluminum ladder corrosion.
  • Investigated failure of aluminum alloy welds in a dump truck.
  • Measured the static coefficient of friction of a coating on a swimming pool deck, proving high traction despite claims of slipperiness.
  • Identified poor quality controls in an adhesive as the cause of failures in cabinetry lamination.

Example:

A mineral particle in the high traction surface, analyzed using Nomarski differential phase contrast microscopy, showed a very irregular shape and high surface area, providing surface roughness on a very fine scale and on three size scales.

Contact Us:

Feel free to reach out regarding your litigation and risk management concerns. We look forward to discussing how we can tailor our assistance to meet your specific needs.

Our Clients:

Law Firms:

Forensic & Problem-Solving Engineering Firms:

Insurance Companies: