What type of maintenance occurs after a mechanical failure?

Corrective maintenance is the type of maintenance that takes place after a mechanical failure occurs. This approach is focused on repairing or restoring equipment to its operational state following a malfunction or breakdown. The primary goal is to address the immediate issues that led to the failure, ensuring the equipment is up and running again as soon as possible.

When mechanical failure happens, corrective maintenance is initiated to identify the root cause of the failure, conduct necessary repairs or replacements, and verify that the system is functioning correctly afterward. This type of maintenance is reactive by nature, responding to incidents rather than preventing them.

In contrast, preventive maintenance is carried out proactively to prevent failures and extend the lifespan of equipment, while routine maintenance consists of regular checks and adjustments to keep the system operating efficiently. Scheduled maintenance involves planned servicing at regular intervals, but it does not specifically address mechanical failures post-incident. Therefore, corrective maintenance is distinctly characterized by its response to failures when they occur, making it the appropriate answer.