A 12 inch (305mm) diameter FRP piping section containing Furan resin disintegrated after four years of service in a vapor relief system. External inspection of the flare stack conducted just three months earlier revealed no obvious problems. Also, during the ensuring period, there were no upsets in temperature, pressure or process operations. A detailed investigation determined that excessive mechanical stresses at the unsupported 45 degree elbow joints led to strain corrosion and subsequent crumbling of the FRP material. The remainder of the piping and flanges were in good condition. Steps necessary to minimize future problems and the need for industry wide design, inspection and maintenance guidelines are discussed.

Subject
Materials, Piping, Manufacturing, Piping systems, Chemical attack, Inspection, Flanges, Fiber reinforced plastic, Stress, Mechanical failure, Gases, Furan, Resins
Keywords:
FRP, Furan, strain corrosion, supports, flare stack, inspection, Furfuryl alchohol, Fiberglass reinforced plastics
© 1997 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1997
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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