Crack arrestor

A method for making a crack arrestor, the method comprising:

• disposing a composite material around a length of pipe;
• wherein the composite material comprises non-metallic fibers and resin;
• wherein the disposed composite material comprises fibers aligned to the pipe circumference;
• applying radial force inside the pipe, the radial force applied yielding the pipe past the elastic limit of the pipe and creating circumferential tension on at least a portion of the composite material;
• and
• wherein at least a portion of the composite material remains in circumferential tension upon release of the applied radial force.

A crack arrestor comprising:

• a metal pipe having a length and an outer surface wherein a portion of the length of the metal pipe is comprised of yielded metal;
• a composite material having a first thickness in circumferential tension disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the yielded metal portion of the metal pipe and having a second thickness disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the metal pipe axially adjacent to the yielded metal portion;
• and
• wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness.