Failure Analysis of a Welded Block Valve and Reducer

An investigation was performed to identify the cause of failure for a pipeline component that included a welded block valve and reducer. The component was provided with limited details about its manufacturing and operational history. Along with examining the background information for the piece, a series of tests were performed including nondestructive examination, visual examination, metallography, microhardness and scanning electron microscopy. Once the tests were concluded and the results were examined, a cause for failure was established as the evidence pointed to hydrogen-induced cracking.