When inspecting for stress corrosion cracking, what additional cleaning method may be required?

When inspecting for stress corrosion cracking in pressure vessels, abrasive grit or water blasting is often required as an additional cleaning method due to the need for thorough surface preparation. This method is effective in removing layers of contamination, such as rust, scale, or other deposits, that may obscure any cracks or surface defects.

Stress corrosion cracking is often influenced by the presence of specific environmental contaminants, so ensuring that the surface is adequately cleaned is paramount. Abrasive grit blasting or water blasting not only cleans the surface but also creates a profile that can help inspectors visually identify cracks or imperfections more easily.

While other cleaning methods like simple water washing, acid washing, or chemical cleaning might help in certain scenarios, they may not provide the same level of surface preparation needed for stress corrosion cracking inspections, as they could leave residues or may not effectively remove all contaminants. Therefore, using abrasive methods enhances the reliability of the inspection process by ensuring that any subsurface or critical surface conditions are visible and properly evaluated.