Has anyone else tried using the crafting ability "Improvise" and seen some odd results?

Its descriptive text reads: "Temporarily reduces the affects of element destabilization. Most effective on parts."

I have used it 20 times now (taking notes on its results, and have had it give the desired results 3 times out of 20. The other 17 times, the destabilized element blew up in my face on the first try, with the majority of my attempts occurring on a steady white color. I'm not exaggerating... and that doesn't sound like something that can happen by chance. By comparison, I often craft without using any ability when the element has destabilized, and have had much, much higher success rates.

Is this just bad luck? Or has anyone else seen this? I'm about to remove the ability and never try it again.