Mechanical evaluation of brass plugs for hd tion containers and examination of corroded plugs

摘要

This study examines the corrosion of brass plugs currently used in ton containers filled with mustard agent, and performs a mechanical evaluation of new test plugs. The new plugs recived from the Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization (PMCD) were procured from Columbiana Boiler Company, the original manufacutrer of the ton containers. Sectioned plugs were examined visually, by hardness measurements, and by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Significant corrosion of the plugs was present on some of the plugs examined; however dezincification was not observed. Further, the threaded regions of the plugs were not preferentially attackes. The mechanical evaluation was conducted using an axially loaded "push-out" test and torsionally loaded "torque-out" test. A linear relation was observed between the number of engaged threads and the maximum axial load.