9 - Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking (Caustic Embrittlement)

Question 1

A form of stress corrosion cracking characterized by surface-initiated cracks that occur in equipment exposed to caustic, primarily adjacent to non-PWHT’d welds

Answer 1

Caustic Embrittlement (CE)

Question 2

CE -Cracking can occur at low caustic levels if a concentrating mechanism is present. In such cases,
caustic concentrations of ,,,,,, are sufficient to cause cracking

Answer 2

50 to 100 ppm

Question 3

Caustic stress corrosion cracking typically propagates ,,,,,in adjacent base metal but
can also occur in the ,,,,,,,

Answer 3

parallel to the weld

weld deposit or heat-affected zones

Question 4

The pattern of CE- cracking observed on the steel surface is sometimes described as a ,,,,,,,,of
small cracks which often initiate at or interconnect with weld-related flaws that serve as local stress
raisers

Answer 4

spider web