Investigation of fracture in a K12 tongue component

A series of failures of K12 tongue components occurred, which are used in automobile seat belts. Scanning electron microscopic studies of the fracture surface indicated that premature fracture of the component was due to the presence of microshrinkage and interdendritic porosity in the material. This paper presents the detailed microscopic analysis of the raw material as well as the finished product of the tongue components to ascertain the actual cause/s for failure.