# Analysis of Failure Cause in Steel Wire-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Pipes for Sour Gas Field Water Transportation

## TL;DR

This study identifies the causes of premature failures in steel-reinforced thermoplastic pipes used in sour gas fields, focusing on material degradation and protective layer failure.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of failure mechanisms in composite pipes using multiple analytical techniques and proposes targeted protective measures.

## Key findings

- Typical failure modes include ductile cracking, aging-induced brittle cracking, and aging creep cracking.
- Polyethylene protective layer degradation leads to medium penetration, steel wire corrosion, and reduced pressure-bearing capacity.
- Oxidation induction time values dropped below standard requirements, indicating severe antioxidant depletion and material aging.

## Abstract

Steel-reinforced thermoplastic pipe is widely used for water transportation in sour gas fields. However, under the combined effects of corrosive media, internal high pressure, and long-term environmental aging, premature failures such as leakage and bursting often occur. To clarify the failure causes and primary contributing factors of the composite pipes, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis through microscopic morphology examination of different typical failure cases, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical property testing. The main failure mechanisms were investigated, and targeted protective measures are proposed. Key findings reveal that the typical failure modes are ductile cracking, aging-induced brittle cracking, and aging creep cracking. These failures follow a mechanism of degradation of the inner and outer polyethylene protective layers, penetration of the medium and corrosion of the steel wires, reduction in pressure-bearing capacity, and eventual structural damage or leakage propagation through the pipe wall. Notably, oxidation induction time values dropped as low as 1.4–17 min—far below the standard requirement of >20 min—indicating severe antioxidant depletion and material aging. The main controlling factors are poor material quality, external stress or mechanical damage, and long-term aging. The polyethylene used for the inner and outer protective layers is critical to the overall pipe performance; therefore, emphasis should be placed on evaluating its anti-aging properties and on protecting the pipe body during installation to ensure the long-term safety and stable operation of the pipeline system.