Whitepaper: damage analysis of stress corrosion cracking and dezincification
9. November 2018
Based on recent damage cases, the W.S. ExpertCenter has demonstrated that stress corrosion cracking and dezincification in brass components may continue to be significant causes of damage.
In recent years, international directives aimed at avoiding hazardous substances have led to the replacement of numerous heavy metals, such as lead and nickel, in engineering alloys. Newly developed alloy systems have taken their place, although the behaviour of some of these systems under real operating conditions has not yet been comprehensively investigated.
Brass components, which are used in large numbers in domestic drinking water supplies, are particularly affected. Despite the increasing use of these new alloys, comparatively little is yet known about their damage behaviour in practical use.
Technical presentation
This is precisely where the W.S. ExpertCenter’s technical presentation comes in. The PDF whitepaper “An approach to damage analysis using the example of stress corrosion cracking and dezincification in brass components” analyses recent damage cases and examines them systematically. The investigations show that stress corrosion cracking and dezincification can remain significant causes of damage even in modern brass alloys.
The whitepaper brings together current findings from practical experience and established materials engineering expertise. The damage analysis approach is explained clearly using a practical example of a typical domestic application.
An insight into damage analysis
The whitepaper focuses on a systematic approach to investigating damage to metallic components. It describes typical steps in technical damage analysis, including assessing the appearance of the damage and the operating conditions, conducting metallographic examinations to analyse the microstructure, and evaluating possible corrosion and damage mechanisms.
The selected practical example illustrates how stress corrosion cracking and dezincification develop in brass components and how these mechanisms can be conclusively identified through analysis.
Read a free preview of the whitepaper
As an introduction, we recommend our free teaser whitepaper “An approach to damage analysis of stress corrosion cracking and dezincification”. If you would like to explore the subject in greater depth or are interested in the full whitepaper, please contact the W.S. ExpertCenter team directly.
The experts also support companies affected by similar material damage and advise them on the technical assessment and how to proceed.
W.S. Werkstoff Service – expertise in damage analysis
We offer two seminars for anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of technical damage analysis:
- Technical damage analysis – mechanical damage: https://www.werkstoff-service.de/en/trainingcenter/kurse-und-seminare-buchen/semtsa-1-damage-analysis-mechanical-damage/.
- Technical damage analysis – corrosion: https://www.werkstoff-service.de/en/trainingcenter/kurse-und-seminare-buchen/semtsa-2-damage-analysis-corrosion/.
