Metallurgical Replication of a High Pressure - High Temperature Steam Line
Environment: Steam header, exposure to elevated temperatures of 750°F and pressures of 400 psi.
Material: ASTM A-53 Grade B carbon steel pipe
Service Life: 60 + years
Findings:
Metallurgical Replication of the high temperature–high pressure steam header which had been exposed to 60+ years of service indicated that the header had come to the end of its safe service life. The microstructure indicated a primarily a soft and weak ferrite matrix with ~5% fraction pearlite. Damage from 60+ years of elevated temperature service is shown by the presence of iron carbide particles which have precipitated along grain boundaries from decomposed pearlite lamellae within the grains. Recommendations were made to have the steam header, and adjacent piping replaced. |
Metallurgical Replication of a high temperature – high pressure steam header from a powerhouse at a mining facility. Microstructure indicates a primarily a soft, weak ferrite matrix
with ~5% fraction pearlite. Damage from 60+ years of elevated temperature service is shown by
the presence of iron carbide particles which have precipitated along grain boundaries from decomposed pearlite lamellae within the grains. |
