Corrosion-mechanical resistance of pipe steel in hydrogen-sulfide containing media

We investigate the resistance to hydrogen-sulfide stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen-induced cracking of ASTM A333 steel intended for the oil and gas industry. On the basis of the results obtained for seven meltings of this steel supplied for the Tengiz gas-processing plant, we established that all meltings satisfy specifications of the NACE MR0175-96 standard in their chemical composition and strength characteristics (S < 0.005%. P < 0.025%, HRC < 22, etc.). For two of the seven investigated meltings, resistance to hydrogen-sulfide stress corrosion cracking is not high (threshold stresses < 0.8Σ^min _0.2) and one melting has a low resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking (coefficient of the length of regions of crack formation > 6% and coefficient of the width of regions of crack formation > 3%). Therefore, complete (100%) incoming control over the corrosion-mechanical resistance of all materials of equipment operating in hydrogen-sulfide-containing media must be carried out. Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv. Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 93–97, May-June. 2000.