3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures 1

[EOGFresearch]

I'm doing research on the East Ohio Gas Company fire of 1944 which resulted in 130 fatalities. A liquid natural gas (LNG) container failed causing a massive fire in a residential area.
The container was made of 3.5% nickel steel. It was thought to be safe at the time (1940-1943). However, some of the failed pieces showed characteristics of a brittle failure. I'm trying to find out why it was considered ok then, and what determined the 9% nickel content for new construction (starting in the 1950s and certainly by the 1960s?)

Q: Where can I get Charpy impact information on 3.5% nickel steel vs temperature? What is the ductile brittle transition temperature (DBTT) for this steel? LNG is stored at -260F at about 5 psi.

Q: Same questions for 9% nickel steel

 

[stanweld]

3 1/2 % Ni alloy steel is brittle at LNG temperatures.
9% Nickel alloy steel is used for LNG storage.

 

[metengr]

Agree with stanweld. There are decent publications on 5% and 9% Ni steels as referenced below for LNG applications;

http://esabsp.esab.net/templates/do...nsumables/XA00099220_Welding LNG tanks_EN.pdf

http://www.arcelormittal.com/platei...ctBrochure/ARCELORMITTAL 9 PERCENT NICKEL.pdf

http://www.kgu.or.kr/download.php?tb=bbs_017&fn...pdf&rn=PO...

 

[metengr]

If you need minimum impact values, I would suggest looking at ASTM A 203 Grade D or E plate. The specification requires 20 ft-lbs at the agreed upon test temperature - from data I have seen this agreed upon test temperature can be as low as -150 deg F.

 

[metengr]

Let me add one other bit of advice, review the thread below which I believe you will find interesting and related to your topic;

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=232403&page=50

 

[EOGFresearch]

Thank you both for the information, especially the references. I had one but appreciate getting the others including the ASTM one.

Metengr where is the last website located; I was given a warning about downloading because it was unknown?

Do you know at which temps 3.5% becomes brittle compared to 9%?

 

[metengr]

EOGFresearch;
I just added the thread above for you to review. My esteemed colleague unclesyd actually provided CVN values at -150 deg F for 3.5%Ni steel. The link I thought I copied worked for me to download the pdf file but for some reason I could not get it to copy correctly for you. Sorry about that.