Case Studies in Forensic Metallurgy

Acid Drum

Image Gallery

Analysis of barrel composition. Barrel after failure. Corroded lid of barrel. Optical metallograph showing intergranular attack. (400X) Scanning micrograph showing intergranular attack. Rough sketch showing barrel seam, which is rolled and welded, and the nearby failure.

Readings

Callister, Section 17.7: Forms of Corrosion. pp. 643-645.

Chemical Analysis. (PDF)

Assignments

Please prepare a short presentation on the Acid Drum case and evidence.

Please prepare a short presentation on stainless steel and what defines it (chemically and physically). Also please know what boiling chips are and how they work.

Please prepare a short presentation on welding, the process what it is intended to do (no need to go into the methods or techniques).

Further Reading

“Calamities” column: The Case of the Acid Test