The decision that a particular product / material form is suitable for use is the sole and only responsibility of the user while the fabricator must comply with the limitations set in the document. Actually "certifying" a material to comply is a commercial deviation from the original intent...
The final real heat treatment on an appropriately made steel must be made in the PWHT / tempering range (about 610°C) for the steel to fully develop its HIC resistance. Noramlization temperature treatment before that, either before or after forming according to various rules and choices, is...
It would be highly suggestable to do a HIC test in the expected equipment condition before putting in service.
Plate mills do that by testing specimens in as-delivered heat-treat condition PLUS any simulated expectable condition (e.g. exepcted PWHT of equipment, heat treat of formed pieces...
SOHIC can be considered an augmented form of SSC due to crack-jumping, linked to HIC cracking susceptibility ahead of the SSC crack, due to stress and hydrogen local concentration.
Hence, mitigation measures against SSC like proper PWHT helps.
Also, a HIC resistant steelmaking practice is...
