ABSTRACT
This chapter explores various aspects of Quality assurance (QA) from the perspective of both the manufacturing engineer and the applications engineer. In-process QA starts with procurement of raw materials. It may simply consist of checking the chemical analysis and particle size distribution analyses submitted for the material by the supplier to ensure that they are within the specification of the manufacturing operation document. Most applications require a specification or a written manufacturing procedure and one or more certification tests to assure that the manufacturing procedure has been followed and the specification has been met. More critical or demanding applications may require destructive sampling, proof testing, or nondestructive inspection. Many components are proof tested, i.e., exposed to conditions comparable to or exceeding those of the service environment. Proof tests can be conducted for critical electrical, mechanical, or other properties using parameters known from prior application experience to control the acceptability or life of the component in the application.
