Failure analysis on a ruptured petrochemical pipe
Date
2010-03-16Author
Mohd, Harun
Shaiful Rizam, Shamsudin
Azmi, Kamardin
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The failure took place on a welded elbow pipe
which exhibited a catastrophic transverse rupture.
The failure was located on the welding HAZ
region, parallel to the welding path. Branching
cracks were detected at the edge of the rupture
area. Deposits of corrosion products were also
spotted. The optical microscope analysis showed
the presence of transgranular failures which were
related to the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and
were predominantly caused by the welding residual
stress. The significant difference in hardness
between the welded area and the pipe confirmed
the findings. Moreover, the failure was also caused
by the low Mo content in the stainless steel pipe
which was detected by means of spark emission
spectrometer.