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Sector
Facilities Management
Location
West Midlands
Services
Failure Investigation
SEM/ EDX Analysis
Corrosion Testing
Failure Investigation finds signs of corrosion for retail water pipework
Project Overview
Efficient pipework in retail is essential for daily operations. From delivering clean water, waste disposal, and oil or gas distribution, regular maintenance is crucial for providing a safe and hygienic environment.
We have worked with a facilities management company to carry out a series of investigative tests on a failed copper water pipe that had burst. The water pipe had been used as part of a water supply system for a large building, resulting in flood damage to the premises.
Our customer is a nationwide premium facilities and management service provider, with over 30 years’ experience within the commercial, domestic and industrial facilities sector.
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The Challenge
Our customer contacted us after they had experienced flood damage to one of their retail premises. The cause of the water damage was a burst water pipe made of copper, so they asked us to investigate to find out the cause of the failure. It was noted by the customer that the pipes were very thin and soft before failure.
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The Solution
The technologists at BES Group were asked to carry out a series of independent metallurgical, chemical and mechanical tests to determine the nature and cause of failure.
The tests included:
- Visual investigation
- Chemical Analysis
- Hardness testing
- EDS Analysis
- SEM Analysis
- Metallographic investigations
The investigation was carried out on two sections of the pipe; one with a small diameter and another section with a large diameter. The two pipes were part of the same assembly, connected with a reducer. This section of the pipe was removed from the system for independent testing.
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The Results
The large diameter pipe did not display any significant areas of damage or corrosion.
However, the smaller diameter pipe had deformed, resulting in a raised section of the material and a crease-like appearance. This area of deformation also revealed a build-up of corrosion, with red-brown discolouration on one section, and green-blue discolouration on another section.
Our investigations showed that the pipe had been treated with an oxide coating and a stable carbonate scale to provide protection from corrosion. However, where the pipe had been used with higher water velocity or with greater water turbulence, the scale was removed or not able to form correctly, resulting in accelerated corrosion of the copper pipe.
Our SEM analysis revealed significant pipe wall thinning due to general corrosion with corrosion pitting within the material. The corrosion had occurred at areas with high water turbulence, at the scale edges, and joints, creases and dents in the pipe. Whilst both pipe samples showed evidence of corrosion, there was a greater effect in the smaller diameter pipe, and significant corrosion was only evident where the protective scale was absent.
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Key outcomes
Confirmed cause and nature of failure
as accelerated corrosion damage due to high water velocity, leading to the removal of protective coatings.
Identified significant corrosion
using SEM analysis, revealing areas where high water was present and contributing to the failure of the pipe
Implemented regular maintenance
based on our findings, to prevent similar incidents from occurring and improve safety and hygiene of retail premises.
Related services
Failure Investigations
SEM & EDX Analysis
Fracture Analysis
Corrosion Testing
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