Sulfur Content for HIC Resistance 1

[rneill]

Clause 8.0 of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 indicates that typical maximum sulfur levels of 0.003% in flat rolled products, 0.01% in seamless products and 0.025% in forgings and castings are used to ensure materials are not sensitive to HIC or SOHIC.

I'm looking for some feedback as to how many end users out there are actually specifying these sulfur limits for seamless, forged and cast products in sour service (knowing that it is quite common to see limits applied to plate material)?

 

[CoryPad]

The entire Oil Country Tubular Goods industry uses those limits (or even tighter ones) for seamless tubes and forged connections.

 

[SJones]

Those limits are common throughout Shell specifications too (as well as limits on other elements). Don't think that there is total immunity with those limits - it's just a risk reduction measure; HIC could still occur if you are 'unlucky'. That is why, for items like linepipe and pressure vessel plate, you will still see requirements for routine HIC testing even if the stringent chemistry limits have been met.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04