Failure Analysis on Rupture of a Copper Alloy Water Meter Shell

A copper alloy water meter shell ruptured and resulted in leakage in service, and the rupture reason was analyzed by means of macroscopic examination, fracture analysis, energy spectrum analysis, metallographic examination and chemical compositions analysis. The results show that the rupture of the copper alloy water meter shell in service was stress corrosion cracking which was mainly because there were sulfides in the service environment.