Failure Analysis of the Safety Valve Spring in a Dangerous Goods Tanker

During the operation, a spring in the built-in safety valve of a dangerous goods tanker. A comprehensive failure analysis of the material was conducted through macroscopic and microscopic inspections, metallographic analysis, energy spectrum analysis (EDS), and hardness tests. The failure mode of the broken spring was brittle fracture. The fracture morphology was like that of ice sugar, and the chemical composition of the spring steel met the specified requirements. The main cause of fracture failure is the mechanical damage to the inner surface during the spring manufacturing process, which leads to stress concentration in the damaged area and ultimately results in fracture. In addition, manufacturers should strengthen and standardize the production process to prevent mechanical damage and select high-purity spring steel to improve the durability of the springs.