MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION FAILURE ANALYSIS OF 304L STAINLESS STEEL PIPING SYSTEM LEFT STAGNANT AFTER HYDROTESTING WITH CITY WATER

摘要

A case history is described involving microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of AISI Type 304L stainless steel piping failure after being in contact with untreated stagnant, low chloride potable water for nine months. The term MIC is used to designate corrosion resulting from the presence and activities of microorganisms within biofilms. MIC is often misdiagnosed as attack caused by conventional chloride crevice/pitting corrosion. Specialized microbiological analysis techniques, including surface analysis by environmental scanning electron microscopy and in situ bacterial and optical microscopy, were used in the failure analysis.