Unit 21: Maintenance
LO2: Understand failure modes
Factors that contribute to failure
Learner activity sheet
Activity 1
The table below shows typical causes of failure. These might relate to mechanical, electrical, pneumatic,
hydraulic and other types of engineered component or system.
Investigate each cause failure, and explain how the failure typically takes place in each case.
Cause of failure
maladjustment
maloperation
stress fracture
fatigue
wear
embrittlement
overloading
seizure
anodic corrosion
chemical corrosion
lubrication failure
fouling
vibration
poor training
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Explain how it takes place
Activity 2
A car is an example of an engineered system that can break down due to any of the causes given in
Activity 1.
For each of the causes of failure, give one example of how this might occur in the case of the car.
Examples might be mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic or a combination.
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