Safety Alert
External chloride stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel lokring pipe connectors
External chloride stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel lokring pipe connectors
- HSE
- Safety Alert
- ED1-2015
- CorrosionPressure SystemsStructural and Asset Integrity
- CorrosionLoss of containmentStructural and asset integrity
- Inspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Non-destructive testing
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
This alert examines chloride stress corrosion cracking in stainless steel Lokring connector driver rings and the resulting containment risk. It explains limitations of surface inspection, contrasts radiographic detection of internal cracks, and advises identifying affected connectors and removing those whose failure could pose safety risks, with removal prioritised by consequence, service time and corrosive conditions.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Non-destructive testing; NDT; non-destructive examination; NDE.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
ED1-2015. Themes: corrosion, pressure systems, structural and asset integrity.