Equipment with Loose Polymer Liners

In this episode, co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook welcome Hisham Abu Samra of Corrosion Resistant Technologies for a discussion on equipment with loose polymer liners and the important design, fabrication, and maintenance considerations that come with their use. Hisham explains how loose liners work and explores key factors affecting their performance, including differential thermal expansion, temperature limitations, flange design, flare radii, and shell fabrication. The conversation also covers specifications and standards, vacuum design, permeation, and the challenges of replacing liners in existing equipment. Hisham shares insights into welding requirements, weld factors, and inspection techniques, while highlighting considerations for high-purity services and the importance of proper design and material selection in achieving reliable, long-term equipment performance. This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook welcome Gordon Johnson, site development manager at Solenis, for a wide-ranging discussion on water systems and the challenges of maintaining efficient, reliable heat exchanger performance. Gordon breaks down the “cooling water triangle” of bioaccumulation, deposits and corrosion, and explains how each can affect equipment performance and water treatment strategies. The conversation explores heat exchanger design, biofilm removal, online cleaning methods and alternative approaches to water treatment, as well as the environmental considerations surrounding drinking and industrial water. Gordon also looks back at the replacement of hexavalent chromium, or Chrome 6, in water systems and its connection to the origins of MTI, while discussing when alloy upgrades and protective coatings can help address water-side corrosion and extend equipment life. This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook welcome Bruce Hebb, senior engineer at RPS Composites Inc., for a deep dive into fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) flange design and the factors that influence performance and reliability. Bruce explains the differences between full-face, raised-face and lap joint, or Vanstone, flange configurations, including how gasket selection, bolt torque and load distribution can affect sealing and stress on FRP components. The conversation explores current ASME design standards, the importance of proper construction methods and the challenges engineers face when specifying and evaluating FRP flanges. Bruce also discusses an ongoing MTI project focused on developing a standardized design procedure for lap joint flanges using finite element analysis and physical testing, with the goal of providing end users and fabricators with clearer, more consistent guidance for designing and building reliable FRP flange systems. This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook welcome Maria Jose Oestergaard to explore three essential reliability and continuous improvement tools: Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Value Engineering (VE). Maria Jose explains when to use each methodology, how to define the scope of an analysis, and the importance of assembling the right team and documenting findings throughout the process. She also discusses common triggers for implementing these tools, how organizations can leverage the results to improve performance, and when it makes sense to rely on internal expertise versus outside consultants.   This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Michael Krauss, sales director at Knight Material Technologies, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to discuss bonded lining systems and the materials considerations that influence long-term performance. Michael explains the different types of fabric backings, adhesives, and their ideal applications, while outlining best practices for installing bonded sheets and verifying bond integrity through pull-off testing and nondestructive evaluation methods. The conversation also highlights MTI research on cap strips and current work examining temperature ramp rates for bonded liners, offering practical insights for engineers and plant operators seeking to improve reliability and extend equipment life. This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.   Show notes   Polymer Cap Strip Welding Project Final Report - https://access.mti-global.org/record/900?v=pdf   FEA Based Analysis of Thermal Ramp Rate Effects on Thermoplastic Liner Adhesion (445) - https://www.mti-global.org/communities/community-home/librarydocuments?LibraryKey=7e6c78de-dcd7-4090-b9d8-019bb284a855    

In this episode, failure analysis expert Tedd Anastas of Anastas Technical Services and Brent Moore of Moore Analytical join co-host Heather Allain and guest host Andrew Rentsch, Materials Engineer at Huntsman Corporation, for a practical discussion on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and their role in failure analysis and materials investigations. The conversation explores how SEM differs from optical microscopy, how SEM paired with EDS can reveal important chemical and microstructural clues, and why EDS results are often best treated as qualitative indicators rather than precise quantitative measurements. Tedd and Brent discuss detection limits, normalized compositions, false positives, fatigue striations, fracture surface interpretation, contaminants, inclusions, non-metallic materials, sputter coating, and elemental mapping. Along the way, they share case study examples, practical investigation tips, and a few unexpected detours involving dinosaur eggs and wig hair.   This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Richard Clapp, retired principal consultant from DuPont, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for a discussion on the role of materials expertise in process commercialization. Drawing on decades of industry experience, Richard outlines the three primary types of process commercialization and the institutional challenges companies often face when scaling new processes from the bench to production. The conversation explores how impurities, feedstock variability, and solids handling can introduce unexpected complications, as well as why engineers tend to take conservative approaches to materials recommendations during commercialization efforts. Richard also breaks down common “show stoppers” and explains the importance of the three C’s—corrosion, compatibility, and clean-up—when evaluating process systems. Additional topics include corrosion testing at both bench and pilot scale, the subtle but important differences that can exist between seemingly identical plants, considerations when using toll manufacturers for pilot operations, and practical advice for organizations navigating process commercialization projects.   This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, the second installment of a two-part series, Bert Jennings, owner of Jennings Materials Consulting in Spring, Texas, rejoins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to continue their discussion on hydrofluoric acid (HF) and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) service. Building on Part 1, the conversation shifts to detection, materials, and real-world application. Bert outlines key NDE techniques for identifying cracking and hydrogen blistering, then dives into weld practices and the importance of proper stress relief in carbon steel systems. The group also explores alternative materials, including austenitic stainless steels, ceramics, and glass, along with a “learn from failures” story that highlights the consequences of small oversights. The episode wraps with insights on nickel alloys, welding challenges, and the role of FRP and fluoroplastics—reinforcing that success in HF service depends on both material selection and execution.   This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Rolled Alloys.   Show Notes   Related reference for MTI members: MS-4 Materials Selector for Hazardous Chemicals: Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrofluoric Acid    Non-members: Visit the MTI bookstore.     Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, the first installment of a two-part series, Bert Jennings, owner of Jennings Materials Consulting in Spring, Texas, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for a technical discussion on hydrofluoric acid (HF) and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) service. Bert begins by outlining where HF is commonly used and addressing common industry tropes and misconceptions about how the fluid behaves in process environments. He explains what “anhydrous” truly means in practical terms, including how dry anhydrous hydrogen fluoride must be and why strict moisture control is essential. The conversation dives into the unique hazards associated with HF, particularly in carbon steel systems. Bert discusses hydrogen blistering, hydrogen-assisted stress corrosion cracking (HASCC), and the influence of hardness on material performance. He also examines how residual elements in carbon steel can affect corrosion resistance and cracking susceptibility, highlighting why small compositional differences can lead to significant performance impacts in HF service. The episode concludes with practical considerations for materials selection, inspection, and risk mitigation, setting the stage for deeper exploration in Part 2 of the series. This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Webco Industries.   Show Notes   Related reference for MTI members: MS-4 Materials Selector for Hazardous Chemicals: Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrofluoric Acid    Non-members: Visit the MTI bookstore.     Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Robert Freed, Ph.D., FASM, Associate Director at the Materials Technology Institute, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for a practical, materials-focused discussion on corrosion and wear. Robert helps clarify the differences between abrasion, adhesive wear, erosion, and cavitation, and explains how these damage mechanisms commonly show up in industrial equipment such as extruders and other high-wear components. The conversation explores key variables that influence wear performance, how wear can accelerate corrosion, and why factors like particle size matter. Robert also walks through methods for evaluating and ranking materials, including relevant ASTM wear tests, metals lab analysis, and the pros and cons of different overlay solutions—such as laser cladding, thermal spray, and weld overlay—as well as non-metallic options. The episode closes with insight into MTI-led research projects and practical considerations for selecting materials and processes to manage wear in demanding operating environments.   This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Webco Industries.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.