AIR POLLUTION EFFECTS ON CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF METALS

Air pollutants contribute to the catastrophic failure of metal structures through the mechanisms of stress-corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue, and hydrogen embrittlement. The 'Silver Bridge' catastrophe, LORAN tower parts failures, aircraft parts failures resulting in accidents, and communications equipment failures are examples cited that were related to air pollution. An economic analysis of these failures indicated that accompanying injury and loss of life is an annual economic loss to the nation of from $50 million to $100 million.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Ecological Research Series.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Environmental Research Center

  Res Triangle Park, NC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Gerhard, J
  • Haynie, F H
• Publication Date: 1974-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 39 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Aircraft; Alloys; Bridges; Corrosion; Crashes; Economic analysis; Embrittlement; Failure; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fracture mechanics; Metals; Stress corrosion; Towers; Transmission lines
• Uncontrolled Terms: Hydrogen embrittlement
• Old TRIS Terms: Communication cables
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Bridges and other structures; Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00091171
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA/650/3-74-009
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1975 12:00AM