TECHNICAL ALERT

CONSULTING SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: Yoke Bushing Failure of Raimondi
Wedge Gate Valves, UGP, BI-3129

ALERT NO: 39

DATE:
8/8/00

SUMMARY

Earlier this year four yoke stem bushing incidents of Raimondi gate valves have been reported.
The incidents occurred during the commissioning of the newly installed UGP high pressure
DGA system.
The stem bushings failed by brittle overload due to the presence of casting defects. Examination
of the failed bushings and the fracture faces proved that they were fabricated from a substandard
casting material known as Ni-resist iron. Yoke bushing material should be Ni-resist D2 (D2 for
ductile) as specified in Raimondi approved drawing. The source of these defective bushings was
tracked from Raimondis Korean licensee. Failures of these yoke stem bushings could hinder
operation of the valves and lead to unplanned shutdown of the unit.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
In order to avoid such incidents in the future, it is recommended that each operating area take the
following action:

Identify all Raimondi gate valves manufactured in Korea and their service conditions.
Report to CSD the quantity of the identified valves, sizes, classes, criticality of the
service, and the date of the next scheduled shutdown
CSD has already requested the manufacturer to replace the defective bushings at job site
free of charges.
Any failures that have occurred with Raimondi gate valves in the past should be reported
to CSD for further assessment.

If you have any questions regarding this technical alert, please contact Fahad A. Al-Akroosh on
873-8499.

_____________________________
K.D. AL-FADDAGH, Manager (A)
Consulting Services Department

FAA