Environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) is a general term used to describe a number of failure modes in which the corrosivity of the environment is a causative factor, e.g. stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue, hydrogen embrittlement, etc. This paper discusses the wide range of problems and failures due to EAC in the Pulp and Paper Industry, using a number of case histories.
Environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) is the greatest threat to the safe and reliable operation of equipment and vessels in the pulp and paper industry. Although much is understood in the research community about the mechanisms of EAC there are still problems with dissemination of information about the causes, prevention, and repair of EAC in the pulp and paper industry. The authors are hopeful that this document will increase awareness of EAC at the level of pulp and paper mill engineers, inspection personnel, and individuals who are concerned about the maintenance and safe operation of equipment and vessels in the pulp and paper mills. This paper is a review of the experience with EAC in the pulp and paper industry. Several case histories of EAC are given to illustrate problems of current concern to the industry.
