Anhydrous Ammonia Hose Failure (Texas A&M University Engineering Ethics Cases)

Since 1940, anhydrous ammonia has been used by farmers in the spring and early fall as a nitrogen fertilizer. Farmers typically rent the equipment necessary from the area farmer's cooperative.

The nationally-respected hose maker, XYZ Hose Company, supplied many of the hoses that were purchased by the cooperatives and used for the nitrogen fertilizer application. In 1977, the company decided to switch from their rayone-reinforced hoses to a newly introduced material AAH #1 allowing them to undercut their competitors who were using stainless steel. Unfortunately, even though the hose was tested and met all the current industry standards, something went wrong with the XYZ AAH #1-reinforced anhydrous ammonia hose. The consequences for several of the product's end users proved to be quite devastating. In one case, the hose burst leaving a Kansas farmer legally blind and incapable of earning a living. He was forced to give up farming, the only occupation and life he had ever known.

The case examines two important issues that engineering students will undoubtedly face as they enter their chosen profession; (1) Engineering and corporate responsibility to the public for failed innovation; and (2) the challenging of responsible risk assessment, product testing, and follow-up for innovative designs that do not fall within present industry standards.

The Anhydrous Ammonia Hose Failure Case (opens in new window) maintained by the Texas A and M University.

Return to Engineering Ethics Cases from Texas A&M.