Interesting example of non-destructive replica method used for determination of material structure.

Auto tanker for shipping of agressive chemicals of ADR class 3, 5.1, 6.1, 8 and 9, built of stainless steel 1.4571 (AISI 316 Ti) was examined. After a very short period of time numerous traces of corrosion have been noticed on its outer surface. Because it was impossible to cut any samples a non-destructive replica method was applied. Microstructure determination in addition to other parameters measured allowed to prove that the corrosion has been caused by wrong welding process during the tanker construction.