Root Cause Analysis - Corrosion

~ 50% of True Root Causes are Never Found

Secure recent and historical data

Involve the vendor and the best consultants you can get

Inspect similar locations (same unit, other units)

Metallography and fractography, surface chemistry

Manufacturing defects, material properties (original and now)

NDT and maintenance history (same unit, other units, industry-wide)

Operation:  controls, water chemistry, heat related, interview operators, control room data; pressure, temperature, % moisture

Design:  cycle, component, failure location; compare to codes other designs; stresses, fracture mechanics, fatigue

Monitor conditions:  pressure, temperature, stress, transients, water/steam chemistry

Measure or calculate at-surface and at-temperature chemistry; heat transfer, steam expansion, etc.

Do the damaging conditions exist now?