Non-Destructive Testing: Managing Corrosion Under Insulation

摘要

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) has been occurring ever since industry started insulating equipment. However, most of the CUI reported until the 1970s developed in stainless steel due to stress-corrosion cracking. At that time, with limited insulation, carbon-steel equipment did not develop significant CUI [1]. Since then, with higher energy costs, carbon-steel piping, tanks and vessels have been more intensively insulated to save on energy costs, and as a result, they have begun to develop CUI. CUI is a common problem for petroleum refineries, petrochemical facilities, power plants and chemical and fertilizer plants.