Analysis and Subsequent Testing of Cracked Brass Connector Housings

Abstract

This paper details the examination of brass coaxial cable connectors which exhibited cracks in their outer housings. Failure analysis indicated a brittle failure due to stress corrosion cracking. Two common stress corrosion cracking tests for copper materials were conducted on new connectors from the same manufacturing lot. Failure of these connectors confirmed the observed fracture mode. This paper shows that failure analysis can involve testing to duplicate and confirm failure mode in addition to the requisite examination of failed components. This additional testing can be especially helpful in corrosion-related failures.