Applications of Regulatory Requirements, Corrosion, Fracture Mechanics, Tribology, and Lubrication in Materials Maintenance

Abstract

Corrosion and material fracture are strongly interconnected phenomena, particularly in aggressive environments where structural integrity is a critical requirement. In oil pipelines, these mechanisms pose significant challenges to the safety and reliability of oil and gas transportation. This study examines the relationship between corrosion, tribology, and fracture mechanics, emphasizing the role of lubrication in mitigating wear, oxidation, and damage propagation. Cases are analyzed in which, despite the application of protection systems such as cathodic protection, corrosive processes associated with manufacturing stages, notably welding, led to structural failures. The results indicate that the most significant corrosion defects are predominantly concentrated along the lower generatrix of the pipelines. In addition, maintenance-related normative criteria and methods for evaluating operating pressure are discussed, highlighting the DNV-RP-F-101 procedure as a conservative approach for pipeline integrity assessment.