Heat Damaged Inconel 600
Heat Damaged Inconel 600
(OP)
Upon recent inspection of a process vessel a heat damaged area was found, see the attached picture. The vessel is made from Inconel 600 (all plate was supplied in the hot rolled and annealed conditon) and has some purple and brownish discoloration. Before it is put back in service I plan to check vessel dimensions for distortions, examine the welds for defects, and likely have in situ metallography performed. If all of the mentioned tests results are acceptable, I plan to put the vessel back into service. I have time to perform any necessary evaluation as there was a ready spare for this vessel. My copy of API 579 lists stress relieving as possible degradation in Nickle alloys, but what are other possible consequences or degradation due to heat damage on inconel 600 or other nickle chromium alloys?
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.





RE: Heat Damaged Inconel 600
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: Heat Damaged Inconel 600
RE: Heat Damaged Inconel 600
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: Heat Damaged Inconel 600
It seems there was at least one upset event that could have led to the 2800°F process gasses backing up that nozzle.
RE: Heat Damaged Inconel 600
If the above examination results yield comparable results with unaffected regions of the vessel, document the results and place it back into service. Frankly, based on your picture the material if the material was indeed exposed to higher than design service temperatures (above 1600 deg F or higher) and no local warping or distortion is apparent, you may have dodged a bullet. The real concern for Inconel 600 is exposure at 1000 to 1800 deg F, where sensitization can occur, which may affect corrosion resistance.
RE: Heat Damaged Inconel 600
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