Forensic Assessment of Stress Corrosion Cracking in Fuel Piping

EEI’s Mechanical Integrity team performed a specialized forensic analysis to determine the cause of cracks observed in stainless-steel fuel piping located inside several pumphouses in, Guam. EEI’s assessment included specialized metallurgical analyses, magnifying-glass level visual inspections, Eddy Current non-destructive testing, and Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) testing. The team developed a customized observation and testing methodologies to evaluate and categorize each instance of corrosion. This forensic study concluded that the defects were caused by Chloride Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking of the stainless-steel piping. EEI’s follow-on effort included the design of repairs throughout the facilities to fix the cracks and prevent further occurrences. The recommendations from our engineering analysis are now the accepted standard approach to addressing this unusual phenomenon.