About this Training
Corrosion and material degradation remain the leading causes of equipment failures in refineries, petrochemical plants, and process facilities. This course provides a detailed exploration of API 571, the standard reference for understanding damage mechanisms affecting process equipment. Participants will learn to recognize the characteristics, causes, and prevention of various forms of material degradation.
The course covers metallurgical principles, environmental influences, and degradation modes such as stress corrosion cracking, sulfidation, carburization, hydrogen embrittlement, and more. Attendees will gain the ability to identify the most likely damage mechanisms based on operating conditions and material selection.
By bridging material science and field application, this course enhances participants’ ability to evaluate inspection findings, plan mitigation strategies, and extend equipment reliability. It also supports the development of Risk-Based Inspection (API 580/581) and Fitness-for-Service (API 579) programs by providing critical understanding of damage mechanisms.
Q1. What is API 571 and what does it cover?
API 571 describes over 60 damage mechanisms that affect equipment in refining, petrochemical, and process facilities. It helps engineers understand how materials degrade under different process conditions.
Q2. Why is knowledge of corrosion mechanisms important?
Understanding corrosion allows engineers to predict failure modes, design effective inspection strategies, and extend asset life. It also supports risk-based inspection (API 580/581) and fitness-for-service (API 579).
Q3. What are the most common corrosion mechanisms in refineries?
Common mechanisms include sulfidation, hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, high-temperature hydrogen attack, and naphthenic acid corrosion. Each has distinct process conditions and material susceptibility.
Q4. How does API 571 support inspection planning?
By identifying likely damage mechanisms, inspectors can target vulnerable areas, select appropriate inspection methods, and optimize maintenance programs. This improves reliability and reduces unnecessary downtime.
Q5. How is API 571 used with other API standards?
API 571 underpins both API 580 (RBI) and API 579 (FFS). Knowing the damage mechanisms allows risk assessments and fitness evaluations to be accurate and data-driven.
Q6. What industries benefit most from API 571 knowledge?
It is essential in oil and gas, petrochemicals, power plants, and any industry where high-temperature and corrosive environments affect equipment performance.