Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention

, Volume 11, Issue 2, pp 129–133 | Cite as

Failure Investigation of Stainless Steel Adaptor

Case History---Peer-Reviewed
First Online:
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Revised:
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Abstract

Adaptors used in check valve inlet pressure sensors were fabricated from austenitic stainless steel. Recently, during pretest operation and during hydrogen pressurization of an engine, a leak was noticed through the adaptor. Subsequent to disassembly, the leak was attributed to a crack in the adaptor. Detailed metallurgical investigations were carried out to understand the cause of cracking. Synergistic effect of chloride ions present in marine environment, the presence of residual stresses and sensitized grains of the material led to intergranular stress corrosion cracking. This article highlights details of investigation.

Keywords

Austenitic stainless steel Sensitization Anodic dissolution of chromium-depleted region Failure analysis 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Shri P.S. Veeraraghavan, Director, VSSC for permission to publish this work.

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Copyright information

© ASM International 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Materials Characterisation DivisionVikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research OrganisationTrivandrumIndia
  2. 2.Materials and Metallurgy GroupVikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research OrganisationTrivandrumIndia
  3. 3.Materials and Mechanical EntityVikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research OrganisationTrivandrumIndia

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