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Failure Analysis of Stainless Steel Pipeline Used in Propulsion Engine Test Facility

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Abstract

Austenitic stainless steel pipelines are used as a conduit for gaseous nitrogen to ejector flow lines of propulsion engine test facility. Leakage was noticed near a welded T-joint of such a pipeline system that was in service for years. Detailed metallurgical investigations were carried out to understand the cause of failure. Synergistic effect of chloride ions, thermal stresses from welding, and the presence of sensitized grains of the material led to stress-corrosion cracking of the steel. This paper highlights details of investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Material Characterisation Division, Materials and Metallurgy Group, Materials and Mechanical Entity, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organization, Trivandrum, 695 022, India

    Abhay K. Jha & K. Sreekumar

Authors
  1. Abhay K. Jha
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  2. K. Sreekumar
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Correspondence to Abhay K. Jha.

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Jha, A.K., Sreekumar, K. Failure Analysis of Stainless Steel Pipeline Used in Propulsion Engine Test Facility. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 9, 222–226 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-009-9230-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-009-9230-5

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