Assessment of Safety Valve Springs Failure

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the cause of failure of as-received ultra-high strength steel springs, which were deposite-coated. The qualitative analysis of surrounding environment was performed. Springs were visually and radiographically examined. Their chemical composition was determined using spectrophotometer, primary and secondary structure by use of bright-field reflected light microscope with vertical illumination source, and fracture mechanism by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive system. Macro-hardness measurements were employed, also. The phases present in deposite were identified using X-ray Powder Difractometry and Electron Microprobe analysis. The safety valve springs failure is caused probably by corrosion-assisted process with presence of overloading.