Expertise in Materials Application Prevents Failures in Pressurized Components

Abstract

Pressure components are designed to prevent failures; their fabrication has detailed mechanical and manufacturing requirements. However, unforeseen contaminants, installation conditions, residual stresses, field heat treatments, and other unexpected circumstances often determine service life. While a corrosion allowance aids when managing uniform corrosion losses, this is not the case for pitting, damage within crevices, stress corrosion, and high temperature-related cracks. To manage these losses, service experience and meticulous inspections, among others, are needed. This paper illustrates failures due to damage in localized areas. Practices needed to prevent these failures are emphasized.