Failure Analysis of Shaft Circulating Water Pump (CWP) used in Power Plant

Abstract

Pump shafts are generally exposed to the liquid being pumped either on a continual basis or at certain locations along the length of the shaft. The shaft material is austenitic stainless steel, description ASTM AU 79 TY 316. The purpose of this study is to determine the failure of the water pump shaft used in the power plant. Metallography is the study of structure metal shaft can used as a means for CWP metal pelleting (Circulating Water Pump), for the purpose of damaged or deeply degraded areas. SEM test is used to know the beginning of the crack (crack initiation). EDS test is used to chemical composition and Vikers hardness test is also used to know the hardness material. These three tests to support in analyzing the failure of the pump shaft. The conclusion of this failure analysis is the shaft material has porosity. Fatigue cracking comes from the outer surface area.