The root cause for stress corrosion cracking on an elution column was related to the presence of Chlorides from the Hydrochloric Acid in another process on the plant. Cracks, multiple of them (some in parallel) initiated away from stress concentrations. Approximate concentrations of free Chlorides and Nitrites & Nitrides were measured, which indicated the presence of these chemicals.
A Duplex Stainless Steel would have been a better material to use in this application. The photograph below shows how a Weber Rielly measurement of salts was done on the column.
The photograph below shows the Chloride test that was done using an Elcometer 134S Salt Detection Kit. The results showed Chloride concentrations >600 mg/m2, but, no Nitrate and Nitrites were measured.
