Failure Analysis and Incident Response

In this episode, Nate Sutton, materials engineer at Equity Engineering, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for a deep dive into high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) and the evolving guidance used to evaluate and mitigate its risks. Nate shares his firsthand insights on the origins and evolution of Nelson curves, the role of post-weld heat treatment, and the recent development of time-dependent curves still under review by API. The discussion also explores the role of advanced non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques, MTI’s contributions to HTHA detection and assessment, and how fitness-for-service decisions are made under high-stakes conditions.     This episode is sponsored by Tricor Metals and Webco Industries.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Ana Benz, Chief Engineer at IRISNDT, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for a deep dive into selecting non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques based on expected damage mechanisms. Ana shares insights on recent advancements in radiography, field-based hardness testing, and imaging of hardness indents to assess effectiveness. The conversation also explores proper surface cleaning for inspections, the use of chemical composition analysis to detect degradation from galvanic corrosion, and the role of Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs). Additional topics include remote monitoring applications and innovations in remote inspection technology. Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Murray Pearson, Director, HPM Technology Development, Metals at Hatch, joins hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to delve into the intricacies of abrasion, erosion, and erosion corrosion. They explore the impact of these phenomena on various equipment types, the materials responsible for these damages, and effective strategies for equipment protection. Topics include impingement effects, methods for evaluating material suitability such as plant coupon testing, ongoing MTI research initiatives, factors influencing abrasion rates, and advanced NDE techniques for equipment assessment.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Ben Sprengard, managing director of innovation at Enerfab, sits down with co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to discuss fabrication considerations for duplex stainless steels. They explore key topics, including property comparisons to austenitic stainless steels, forming, machining, welding, phase transformation during cooling, welding QC, solution annealing, QC for duplex fabrication, in-service inspection, and heat exchanger specifics.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Steven Clarke joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to dive into the world of mining and mineral processing. They break down the differences between hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, explore various leaching methods, and discuss solvent extraction and electrowinning. The conversation highlights how water and ore contaminants impact material compatibility, the challenges of abrasion resistance, and what new materials the mining industry could benefit from.     Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Gary Whittaker, retired Engineering Fellow from Eastman Chemical and MTI Fellow, sits down with co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to recount some past failures he was involved in failure analysis on. They chat about: an API storage tank that leaked and contaminated a nearby river, some Nickel-Chrome-Moly alloy piping with stress cracking found due to indications on an associated clad vessel, and some Nickel-Moly alloy piping with stress cracking.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Arun Sreeranganathan, principal at Stress Engineering Services, sits down with co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to discuss creep in the context of chemical facilities. They chat about: the definition of creep, homologous temperature, creep in plastics, contrasting creep with SRC, How the ASME code handles the subject, creep curves, sources for creep info, how creep data is developed, using uniaxial data to design for multiaxiality in equipment, and methods for determining remaining life from creep.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings. 

In this episode, Ben McCurry, Senior Expert of Materials Engineering and Inspection at BASF Corporation, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to dive into the world of corrosion testing. They cover a wide range of topics, including the purpose of corrosion testing, lab testing versus in-situ methods, and the use of corrosion resistance tables. The discussion explores valuable insights from sister plants, decision-making criteria for conducting tests, and the design of coupons. They also tackle advanced topics like high-pressure/high-temperature data, the effects of aeration and agitation, post-exposure examination, grinding on coupons, field coupon accessibility, and how process conditions impact field testing results.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Jan-willem Rensman, Fellow at Fluor and subject matter expert in Metallurgy and Welding, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook for an in-depth discussion on stress relaxation cracking (SRC). Together, they cover topics including: defining SRC and understanding where and when it occurs, the differences between SRC and creep, managing residual stresses in welds, and offering design and fabrication strategies to prevent SRC. The conversation also touches on shop versus field weld considerations, selecting appropriate welding techniques, SRC guidelines in design codes, recommended resources for design standards, and methods for SRC detection and repair.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings. Show notes References which contain guidelines for SRC mitigation: API TR 942-B (2017). Materials, Fabrication, and Repair Considerations for Austenitic Alloys Subject to Embrittlement and Cracking in High Temperature 565°C to 760°C (1050°F to 1400°F) Refinery Services, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, DC. Fahrion, M. E., Brown, J. C., Hassell, J. C., & Birke, A. (2003, March). Technical basis for improved reliability of 347H stainless steel heavy wall piping in hydrogen service. In NACE CORROSION (pp. NACE-03647). NACE. Penso, J., & Shargay, C. (2021, July). Stress Relaxation Cracking of Thick-Wall Stainless Steel Piping in Various Refining Units. In Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (Vol. 85345, p. V004T06A044). American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Rensman, J. W., Spindler, M. W., & Shargay, C. (2023, July). Stress Relaxation Cracking, A Misunderstood Problem in the Process Industry. In Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (Vol. 87486, p. V005T06A060). American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

In this episode, Dale McIntyre, a designated professional with the Materials Technology Institute, joins co-hosts Heather Allain and Marc Cook to dive into the topic of anodic stress corrosion cracking, with a specific focus on chloride stress corrosion cracking (CSCC). They explore key SCC degradation mechanisms and discuss crucial factors in assessing CSCC risks. The conversation covers a range of topics, including reducing surface stress to minimize risk, temperature thresholds for CSCC, crack initiation timelines, NDE methods, the use of duplex stainless steel, insulation, painting, CSCC repair, and the role of castings in managing corrosion.   Corrosion Chronicles is produced by Association Briefings.   Show notes Members: Environmental Cracking Public: Order Environmental Cracking