• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.5 no.2 s.14
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• pp.14-21
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• 2001

In order to investigate the damage mechanism of the coupler transferring LPG, microstructural observation and chemical analysis of the couplers operated for the long time in the LPG stations and virgin 6/4 forged-brass corrosion-tested were conducted. Their microstructure was consisted of two phases that bright $\beta$ precipitates were irregularly dispersed in $\alpha$ matrix. The chemical compositions of oxide layer on the surface of the used coupler were composed of S, C, O, Al, Si, etc. as well as Cu and Zn. In environmental corrosion tests of both $10\%$ HCl and Mattsson solutions, no apparent deviations in mechanical impact strength of forged-brass was observed. While, in U-bend stress corrosion cracking specimen, some microcracks were observed.