What are pipeline slivers, and how do they occur?
A sliver is a type of defect that can appear in a plate or skelp during pipe manufacturing. It appears as a thin, elongated strip of metal pressed into the pipe’s surface. Slivers often conceal underlying oxide or scale. They typically form when surface irregularities, such as small protrusions or hardened splashes of molten metal, are flattened and rolled into the material during production. This process embeds the sliver into the pipe wall.1,2
What risks do pipeline slivers pose?
While small slivers may not significantly affect structural integrity, they can lead to long-term issues. Oxides or scale trapped beneath the sliver may contain soluble salts that can initiate pitting corrosion over time. Slivers also interfere with protective coatings, causing weak points in thin-film coatings and increasing the risk of coating failure. For this reason, slivers should be removed before applying a coating, typically through grinding, to ensure good adhesion and long-term protection.1
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Source reference
- The Encyclopedia of Pipeline Defects, ROSEN UK, Edition 3, 2017.
- Managing Pipeline Threats, John Tiratsoo, 2019.