Do vacuum vessels have issues with the interior layers flaking off?

[pa5tabear]

I've heard of issues in low pressure chemical reactors where the interior scaling might flake off when a vacuum is pulled.

Which principles govern this?

I know it has to do with internal shear forces and am wondering if a vessel wall would ever split in half.

I saw this related thread on quora but there isn't a good answer.

http://www.quora.com/Is-the-flaking...uch-as-possible-or-should-I-replace-the-flask

 

[ModusPwnd]

Just my first thought...

If you have a layer that is coating the inside you may have outgassing under that layer due to the lack of pressure. This could instigate or perpetuate flaking.

 

[sophiecentaur]

The maximum differential pressure on vacuum vessels is only One Atmosphere (unless you go deep under water) and that will not cause much distortion - the vessel design should limit such distortions to an acceptable amount.. Consequently, I wouldn't imagine that flaking would be a problem as long as the inside is already clean and free of contaminants (as it should be).