When a process material fails, a failure analysis can help determine corrective action and preventative measures to avoid future failures. This paper will discuss various potential failure mechanisms for rigid PVC and CPVC piping materials in terms of their distinguishing characteristics. Failure by solvation, degradation, and cracking will be addressed with particular emphasis on cracking phenomena. Visual examples will be presented, and analytical techniques which can be used to confirm the cause of failure will be suggested.
Keywords: failure analysis, plastics