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S.I.L NO.

PW100-169

SERVICE INFORMATION LETTER


Subject

Use of non-approved product on PW100 Flexible Manifold

Applicability

PW100 Engines with flexible fuel nozzle manifolds

This Service Information Letter (SIL) is issued to inform all operators and maintenance providers on the
preliminary findings of recent investigation performed on flexible manifold B-nut.
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) investigated two
cases of flexible manifold B-nut reported cracked (Ref.
Figure 1). Both cases were reported by the same
operator group and the review of the material
confirmed hydrogen embrittlement.
Hydrogen embrittlement occurs when hydrogen
diffuses into the metal.
It changes the material
properties and the exposed metal becomes brittle. In
the case of the flexible manifold, the B-nut may
become susceptible to cracking in service, thus
potentially causing an external fuel leak. The fractured
surfaces analyzed by P&WC show no signs of a crack
propagating by fatigue and suggests a sudden fracture
mechanism.
Figure 1 : Cracked B-nut

Corrosion pits

P&WC continues to investigate all possible sources


that could lead to hydrogen embrittlement of the flexible
manifolds B-nut. Although the source for the two
reported cases has not yet been identified, it remains a
possibility that the manifolds were exposed to a nonapproved product during maintenance. For instance,
the use of an acidic cleaner applied on the manifold
and fuel nozzles may lead to hydrogen embrittlement of
the B-nut.
Corrosion pits on the T fittings was also observed for
the cases reviewed by P&WC. It is believed that the
same product also affected the T fittings, thus causing
its premature corrosion. In some cases, the corrosion
pits showed a reddish appearance (Ref. Figure 1) that
can be more or less visible depending of the T fitting
(Ref. Figure 2).
Figure 2 : Closer view of corrosion pits
Export Control classification: No Technical Data

ISSUED: June 30th, 2015

Page 1

PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.


MARIE-VICTORIN, LONGUEUIL
QUEBEC, CANADA J4G 1A1
PRINTED IN CANADA

PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA


SERVICE INFORMATION LETTER
S.I.L NO. PW100-169

There is no inspection available in the field to identify manifolds affected by hydrogen embrittlement.
Additionally, it is not possible to predict the remaining life of B-nuts affected by this condition. Therefore,
any manifold suspected to have been exposed to conditions leading to hydrogen embrittlement should
be removed from service immediately.
P&WC would like to remind all customers of the importance to use the products recommended in the
Engine Maintenance Manual (Ref. 72-01-40, FUEL SYSTEM) for fuel nozzles and fuel manifolds
removal, installation and cleaning.
For further clarification or information, please contact your local P&WC Field Support Representative, or
the P&WC Customer First Center at:
+1-450-647-8000 or +1-800-268-8000 or,
by email at CFirst@pwc.ca or ,
through our website www.pwc.ca.

Yours truly,
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.

Daniel Gagnon
Customer Engineering
PW100 Engine Programs
Customer Service Regional Market
Email: Daniel.Gagnon@pwc.ca

Vincent St-Pierre
Manager, Customer Engineering
PW100 Engine Programs
Customer Service Regional Market
Email: Vincent.St-Pierre@pwc.ca

THIS SERVICE INFORMATION LETTER IS VALID UNTIL SUPERSEDED OR CANCELLED BY REVISION

Export Control classification: No Technical Data


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ISSUED: June 30 , 2015

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