HOT CORROSION DEGRADATION OF A MARINE ENGINE COMBUSTOR LINER

This paper summarizes the results of a failure investigation carried out on the combustor liner of a marine engine. Severe Type I hot corrosion attack was observed in the fuel swirler nozzle regions along the combustion side of the dome section. Degradation of the Hastelloy sheet metal parts in these regions led to burn throughs and cracking whereas the X-40 cast parts remained unaffected. Thermal fatigue cracking was also prevalent in the bulk of the Hastelloy dome section. These degradation mechanisms eventually led to the premature retirement of the combustor liner.