Who should be consulted to define the equipment deterioration mechanisms, susceptibility and potential failure modes?

The identification of deterioration mechanisms, their rates, and the susceptibility of equipment requires specialized knowledge in materials science and corrosion engineering. A metallurgist or a corrosion specialist possesses the necessary expertise to analyze the interaction between the materials of construction and the process environment under specific operating conditions. While in some cases both may be needed, the standard requires the presence of this expertise, which can be provided by a qualified individual who may be titled as a metallurgist, corrosion specialist, or materials engineer.

B. This is too restrictive. While ideal, the necessary expertise may reside in a single qualified individual, making the "and" statement not universally required.
C. This is too narrow. A corrosion specialist's expertise is often essential and may not be fully covered by a metallurgist focused on other areas.
D. This is too narrow. A metallurgist's understanding of material properties, heat treatment, and fabrication effects is crucial and may not be the primary focus of a corrosion specialist.

1. API 580, Risk-Based Inspection, 3rd Edition, May 2016, Section 5.3, "RBI Team," requires the team to have expertise in "corrosion mechanisms and materials," often provided by a "corrosion specialist and/or materials engineer."

2. API 580, Risk-Based Inspection, 3rd Edition, May 2016, Section 7.3.2, "Damage Mechanisms and Failure Modes," states that a "knowledgeable corrosion specialist or engineer" should be consulted.