Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
(OP)
I've got a water distribution manifold chamber - 2 48" pipes coming in, each with 3 48"x36" crosses and a 48"x36" tee at the end. It was probably built about 1915 - all cast iron. We are looking at replacing some of the valving and adding a couple of 90s to tie the two 48s together. While we are doing this though we wanted to look at the existing material to see how it is holding up. What kinds of things would I be looking at? Embrittlement? Would there be fatigue in this kind of application? I have not seen the pipes/fittings, so I don't know the level of corrosion, but if corrosion does not seem to be a problem is it worth looking at other things?
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.





RE: Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
does it leak?
nick
RE: Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
RE: Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
The water is at about 110psi. Water temperature would range from just above freezing to 60 degrees and environment would be that found in vault, 0 to 100 degrees - maybe a bit less range since its in ground. Should not be too much water hammer as there are surge relief valves in the line, although there may have been significant hammer in the past.
What would embrittlement be due to?
In replaving the valves we would be removing some of the existing material which could be used for sending to a lab. This would all be from straight areas of pipe. For the fatigue I would assume I want to look at the crosses themselves where there would be higher stress.
RE: Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
RE: Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
RE: Old Cast Iron Materials Testing
If you wish to keep it, visually examine for corrosion and MT or PT inspect for cracking.