Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Materials Science, Metallurgy, Welding, NDTs, Reliability Assessment, Failure Analysis, etc.
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neo
Posts: 117
Joined: 12 Jul 2025, 09:25
Area of interest: Chemical Engineering

Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Post by neo »

Identifying metal dusting from other damage mechanisms including carburization, oxidation, erosion corrosion, sulfidation and flow accelerated corrosion can be tricky.
What are the leads here to get to the correct identification?
Dlew
Posts: 63
Joined: 03 Aug 2025, 12:51
Area of interest: Mechanical Engineering

Re: Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Post by Dlew »

That is a challenge, yes.
A diagnosis of metal dusting becomes highly credible when all of the following are present:
✓ Syngas/CO-H₂ environment
✓ 400–800°C operating temperature
✓ Localized pitting or crater morphology
✓ Black graphitic deposits
✓ Metallographic evidence of graphite-filled pits (this clears a lot out)
✓ SEM/EDS confirmation of graphite and metallic particles
When these six indicators align, distinguishing metal dusting from carburization, oxidation, sulfidation, erosion-corrosion, or FAC becomes relatively straightforward and the diagnosis can be made with high confidence.
octane
Posts: 190
Joined: 08 Oct 2010, 15:38
Area of interest: Mechanical Engineering

Re: Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Post by octane »

Metal dusting normally has deep localized pits, crater-like attack, black graphite/carbon deposits, and metal appears to "disintegrate".
You may not be finding all these characteristics in others.
arcpro
Posts: 404
Joined: 16 Apr 2010, 18:46
Area of interest: Manufacturing Engineering

Re: Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Post by arcpro »

This guide should cover all.
Metal_Dusting_Guide.png
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irish
Posts: 127
Joined: 27 Nov 2010, 09:04
Area of interest: Mechanical Engineering

Re: Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Post by irish »

Yes that says all.
arcpro wrote: 19 Jun 2026, 11:08 This guide should cover all.
Metal_Dusting_Guide.png
Dlew
Posts: 63
Joined: 03 Aug 2025, 12:51
Area of interest: Mechanical Engineering

Re: Metal Dusting - Checks & Identification Challenges

Post by Dlew »

Very good one.
arcpro wrote: 19 Jun 2026, 11:08 This guide should cover all.
Metal_Dusting_Guide.png
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