My involvement with the Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology (MFPT) began over 15 years ago. This society was appealing to me since my employer, the Army Research Laboratory, was heavily involved in failure analysis of Army aviation flight safety critical components. Similar to ASM, the MFPT acts as a mechanism for technical information exchange, and provides the scientific and engineering communities a better understanding of mechanical failures and the means to predict and prevent them. The MFPT fills a unique niche of not only analyzing failures, but applying diagnostics and prognostics technology as well as systems health management techniques in preventing them. Another objective of the MFPT is to stimulate awareness of mechanical failures and their impact to society, and to provide a technical base for failure avoidance technology. Over the years, I have become an MFPT Board Member, and Chairman of the Failure Analysis Technical Committee. I feel the papers presented at the annual MFPT conference are technically sound, and are of extreme value to the failure analyst. The current selection of papers herein represents the work of private industry and the Government, and provides a nice snapshot of the quality of MFPT papers. I am sure you will agree this special issue offers a wealth of information at your fingertips. While not inclusive of all the work being performed in this field, consider these papers a sampling of the current progress in failure analysis techniques. It is my hope that the reader will come to appreciate not only the work performed by the MFPT community, but also the special bond shared between ASM and the MFPT with respect to failure analysis and prevention. It is my hope that the MFPT and ASM can continue their current relationship for the benefit of those involved in the many disciplines related to failure analysis. It has been a pleasure being guest editor for this special issue, and thanks are extended to the MFPT authors as well as the ASM peer reviewers for their efforts in creating high quality manuscripts.