Paint suddenly stopped adhering to a polypropylene automotive bumper. The customer's investigation found no changes had been made in the production cycle or the supply chain. A locus-of-failure study, utilising X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, was performed whereby a failure is analysed from both sides.

The results showed a lack of oxygen on the polypropylene side of the failure. It was concluded that the flame treatment of the polypropylene before the paint was applied had failed.