Metallurgical Failure Analysis of the Fractured Ring of a Gland Seal: Hydrogen Embrittlement? Factography can be Ambiguous

One ring of a gland seal from a gas compressor was found fractured. The failure was detected because water leaked into the leaking gas system. The supplier apparently never had issues with this assembly. The field record is unremarkable, according to the manufacturer. However, the incident natural gas compressor is used in intermittent service only, while the assembly was originally designed for more or less permanent operation, according to the supplier of the compressor.