INTEMA   05428
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA DE MATERIALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Failure analysis of flexible metal hose at compressor discharge
Autor/es:
A. MARQUEZ; P.G. FAZZINI; J.L. OTEGUI
Revista:
Engineering Failure Analysis
Editorial:
Elsevier
Referencias:
Año: 2009 vol. 16 p. 1912 - 1921
ISSN:
1350-6307
Resumen:
Flexible hoses are sometimes placed at compressor discharge to minimize the effect of
vibrations on piping and vessels. Doing well for this purpose, these elements can suffer
dynamic loads from gas pulsation and fail. The root cause of the failure of a flexible connection
at the discharge of an oil distillery propane alternating compressor is investigated. The
connection is a 150 mm stainless steel corrugated metal hose with an external braid. The
failure took place by overload of the braid, after wear of the wires. The fractures in the
wires were consequence of fatigue crack propagation in previously worn areas. It was
found that the flexible connection was under a larger working pressure than the maximum
allowable as defined by the manufacturer. The failed flexible had thinner wires and different
braid design than those previously used by the user. Recommendations include procedures
to verify dimensions previous to assembly and to increase the inspection frequency
of these elements, as well as to verify vibration levels of the connected machines. An elastomer
material placed between corrugated and braid would diminish the rate of wear
caused by vibrations.