Safety Flash
Corrosion cracking of strain-hardened type 304 stainless steel bolts
Corrosion cracking of strain-hardened type 304 stainless steel bolts
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 10/18
- CorrosionPressure SystemsStructural and Asset Integrity
- CorrosionMechanical failurePressure systemsStructural and asset integrity
- Inspection and maintenancePressure testing
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installation
Summary
This flash describes stainless-steel bolt failure during pneumatic leak testing of offshore gas pipework, attributed to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking at temperatures below 50°C. It explains strain-hardening susceptibility and recommends considering desktop identification, visual surveys, prioritised replacement and disposal of stored Type 304/304L fasteners.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.
Summary
Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking caused stainless-steel bolts to fail during a pneumatic gas-piping leak test.
IMCA SF 10/18. Themes: corrosion, pressure systems, structural and asset integrity.