Failure of Brass Heat Exchanger Tubes
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Published:1992
Abstract
A failure analysis was conducted on brass alloy 270 heat exchanger tubes that were pulled from a unit used to cool oil for the speed regulators and thrust bearings of a hydroelectric power plant. The tubes began to leak after approximately 5.5 years of service. Macrophotography and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine samples from the tubes. An energy-dispersive electron microprobe analysis was carried out to evaluate the zinc distribution. Results showed that the failure was due to dezincification. Replacement of the tubes with new tubes fabricated from a dezincification-resistant alloy was recommended.
M.Z. Sebrão, E.T. Serra, Failure of Brass Heat Exchanger Tubes, Handbook of Case Histories in Failure Analysis, Vol 1, Edited By Khlefa A. Esaklul, ASM International, 1992, p 115–117, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.fach.v01.c9001045
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