hairline fractures in new LEGO?

[puddleglum]

Recently I've had several LEGO pieces develop hairline fractures in them very early in their life. Specifically, I've seen it once 1x2 tile (short side), twice in a cheese wedge (low side of the slope), and a 1x1 headlight brick (on the bottom of the square-hole side). Has anyone else seen this? My understanding is that I can contact LEGO to have these peices replaced, but this is a little concerning as I'm not in the habit of doing QC on all the pieces I get with a new set. For what it's worth, the parts came from 4939 "Cool Cars" and 4838 "Mini Vehicles."

Edit: Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

[Foamrider]

I've been getting it with rather new 1x1 tiles as well, along with standard plates. Usually on the ends. Quite annoying, to say the least.

[Peppermint Pig]

I haven't seen any new parts showing fractures in early use, but perhaps this has some correlation with the lack of color consistency lately. I'm just speculating, but for some of the colors, the change in consistency may reflect a change in durability of the plastic itself.

Yellow can sometimes appear a bit bright and lacking in warmth. Tan, on the other hand, appears to be warmer (lacking traces of black or whatever they use to tone it down), appearing slightly milky and 'cheap' compared to the toned Tan I'm used to seeing.

[davee123]

Recently I've had several LEGO pieces develop hairline fractures in them very early in their life. Specifically, I've seen it once 1x2 tile (short side)

I noticed this on the 1x2 gray tiles in 4486, which came out in 2003. I purchased about 4 of these sets in 1 shopping trip, and assembled them promptly thereafter. However, I noticed when putting together the mini AT-ST that these small cracks would appear when the tiles were pressed down onto the studs. I don't recall exactly how many of the 8 tiles had that problem, but it was about half. I quickly started analyzing other 1x2 tiles in other sets I purchased, and found a few more instances, but certainly less than half in other sets I scrutinized.

Since that was before the color change and before the new color-injection molding process, I can only assume that this is a fault with the ABS mixture that they've been using in more recent years in combination with the geometry of the tile and plate molds. As has been noted elsewhere, they've changed the ABS mixture upon occasion, so it's likely that this fault is a result. I have yet to find an 'old' set (pre-2003) with this problem, and it's been a long suspicion of mine that the ABS mixture changed somewhere around 1999 or 2000.

DaveE

[Sir Dano]

I was recently taking apart the dragon from 7017, and discovered two of the dark red jumper plates had cracked.

[castlebuilder100]

I have been noticing what look like little cracks on the ends of some 1x1 round bricks. I don't know that they are actually cracked through but they look like they have been under a lot of pressure even though they are new pieces.

[wunztwice]

I have also received two new Dk Red jump plates which were cracked upon initial use. I don't know about brand new parts, and I am sure no-one here does this, but I remember a talk I heard once on LEGO quality and the speaker (a LEGO employee in charge of quality issues) mentioned that oily substances (Butter being one of the main ones) actually breaks down LEGO parts. He stated that they use butter to test the durability of parts. Other than that, however, I don't really have an answer.

[Ye Olde Republic]

I have heard that about butter and since then I have stopped snacking on popcorn while I build. I have noticed this problem mostly with 1x1 bricks. The first time snapping them down, one side cracks most of the way to the top. I heard somewhere that this is due to the infection process and that LEGO is cracking where the ABS 'where the plastic meets inside the mold'. If that makes any sense, I don't know how to describe it without using my hands. lol

Trevor

[Saaz]

I have a tub of Lego at work that's been heavily used and abused by a lot of adults over the years. I've noticed cracks in quite a few bricks, but assumed that was due to the heavy use. But... it seems like the newer 1xN bricks (mostly from a 2003-4 tub) have been more prone to cracking.

More recently, I've gotten some 1x6 tiles that were cracked right out of the box:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saaz42/2760917716/

Yes, Lego is great about replacing damaged parts. But like the OP, this still worries me a little, because I'm not in the habit of doing QC on new sets I purchase. I sometimes buy a spare copy or two and throw them in the closet, unopened, until I need the parts.

[Sir Nelson]

I have noticed some new headlight bricks cracking on the front edge, just below the hollow stud.

I heard somewhere that this is due to the infection process...

Eww!!

Actually, I think that this problem is completely due to global warming... the ABS just can't take the heat. Butter on!

[puddleglum]

Yikes. I noticed these the other day, all from 4996 Beach House.

[insurrection]

Yikes. I noticed these the other day, all from 4996 Beach House.

Yeah, I had a crack like that in a 1x1 yellow brick, also from 4996 beach house.

[rogue27]

I've had this happen to a few parts over the years, but it sounds like it may be getting worse lately.

For what it's worth, I've also noticed that LEGO sets from the early 90s grip tighter than something I buy today.