Failure Analyses

How Stress Corrosion Cracking Led to Arizona Pipeline Blast

U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators believe a deadly natural-gas pipeline explosion in rural Arizona resulted from gaps in protective tape wrapping. This led to water leakage and corrosion and cracks along a seam weld.

Interview: How Coatings Inspection Needs Are Evolving

Michael Beamish, vice president and general manager at DeFelsko Corp., shares feedback he’s heard from coatings inspectors about their challenges in the field. In 2023, many of these needs revolve around increasing speed and reporting efficiency.

Advances in Protecting Pipelines from Hurricane Damage

With the Northern Hemisphere’s 2023 hurricane season in full swing and nearing its annual peak, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence are among new tools offering hope for superior pipeline protection against mighty storms.

Using Advanced Microbial Monitoring to Quantify Corrosion Risks

Quantifying microorganisms associated with microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) can provide insight into a system’s corrosion risk, as well as the efficacy of its management programs. This article features related insight from LuminUltra, which was a winner in the 2023 Materials Performance (MP) Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards.

Novel Evaluation of a Marine Coating Failure

There are many methods to evaluate the corrosion of substrates and breakdown of protective coatings that are subject to wet-dry cycling in natural and accelerated environments. This article explores ways to predict failures without having to artificially harshen those conditions.

Piping Failure: Petroleum Refinery Fire Water Line

In this case study, a piping failure during fire water service operation was investigated using metallographic techniques. According to the author, the use of metallurgical investigations during inspection programs for petroleum and petrochemical plants can help to discover the root causes of corrosion.

University Researchers to Combat Corrosion with Microorganisms

A team of researchers from Texas A&M University, Tufts University, and the University of Oklahoma is working collaboratively on a project focused on combating microbiologically induced corrosion, and especially corrosion affecting U.S. Air Force fuel tanks.

How to Investigate Premature Coating Failures When They Occur

While time and money are always lost when faced with a premature coatings or linings failure, the biggest loss is often that of reputation. Mike O’Brien of MARK 10 Research Group, Inc., made that clear during an AMPP 2023 forum presentation.

Concrete Treatment Stops Microbially-Induced Corrosion in Wastewater

The Penetron Group has developed an antimicrobial concrete admixture to provide permanent protection for the lift station’s wet well structures from microbially-induced corrosion (MIC).

U.S. Navy Patents Fiberoptic System to Detect Corrosion

The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center patented its process for applying a “smart” fiberoptic system between a metal surface and its protective coating, which they believe can detect the beginnings of corrosion at the microscopic level.

U.S. Officials Back Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Plan

Denver Water is receiving $76 million in funding from the U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accelerate its lead-service line replacement plan, which was recently approved and found to be effective by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Estimating Corrosion of Embedded Steel Rebars in Bridge Structures

Based on empirical and theoretical research validated by field data, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) researchers developed a guidance tool to predict rebar reinforcement section loss. This should help MnDOT manage its bridge inventory and inform bridge maintenance and replacement decisions.

Final Report Issued on 2019 Refinery Fire, Explosion in Philadelphia

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released its findings regarding a massive fire and explosions at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in 2019. The incident occurred when a corroded pipe elbow ruptured, releasing process fluid into the hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit.

Comparing Corrosion Among Three Coastal Florida Sites

Knowing the corrosion severity of a particular environment is important when designing and maintaining infrastructure—and even more so in coastal environments. Certain factors can cause corrosion rates to vary significantly. This study aims to provide answers.

Deicer Corrosion of Trucks: A Case Study

Hydraulic, electrical, and structural components of vehicles can be vulnerable to corrosion damage caused by deicers. To that end, a Scandinavian study found that cars driven on salt-free roads were 50% less vulnerable to cosmetic corrosion than cars exposed to road salt.