Understanding the NACE Specifications

Created By

BDK Engineering Industries Limited, India

WHAT ARE NACE SPECIFICATIONS?

National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE issues a variety of standards referred to as RP’s, TM’s and MR’s.
Most widely used are the H2S specifications
MR0175 now known as ISO 15156 parts 1-3
MR0103
WHY THE CONCERN ABOUT H2S

H2S causes Sulfide Stress corrosion Cracking (SSC)

Most metals are susceptible to SSC
WHAT IS SULFIDE STRESS CRACKING?

SSC is defined as cracking of a metal under the combined action of a tensile stress
and corrosion in the presence of water and H2S. SSC is a form of hydrogen stress
cracking resulting from absorption of atomic hydrogen that is produced by the sulfide
corrosion reaction on the metal surface.
WHAT MAKES METALS SUSCEPTIBLE?

STRENGTH
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
HEAT TREATMENT
MICROSTRUCTURE
ENVIRONMENT
H2S CONCENTRATION
PRESSURE
TEMPERATURE
RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the equipment users’ responsibility to determine if these H2S standards

apply and to select the materials suitable for the intended service.
The manufacturer is then responsible for meeting the metallurgical requirements for
the materials.
MR0175/ISO15156

“Materials for Use in H2S Containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production”
Concerned about SSC and Chloride SCC
Specific environmental limits
Temperature
Partial pressure of H2S
Chloride content
Uses hardness testing to determine a material’s suitability
WHY HARDNESS TESTING?

Hardness equates fairly well with the strength of a metal

Easy to do
Nondestructive
Higher strength metals are more susceptible to SSC and Cl¯ SCC
The number and location of hardness tests are not specified except for weld testing
MR0175 MATERIALS

Some materials were “grandfathered”

Since MR0175, alloys have to pass testing per TM0177
MR0175 identifies acceptable alloy categories
List some individual alloys
Some alloys are only suitable for specific components
Free machining alloys are not acceptable
H2S GAS LIMITS FOR MR0175
H2S MULTIPHASE LIMITS FOR MR0175
ISO 15156

Applies when the partial pressure of H2S is > 0.05 psia

No total pressure requirement
Part 1 deals with general principles ofH2S cracking
Part 2 covers carbon steels
Part 3 covers corrosion resistant alloys
MR0103

“Materials Resistant to SSC in Corrosive Petroleum Refining Environments”

Only concerned about SSC
No environmental limits
Uses hardness testing to determine a material’s suitability
Emphasizes welding controls
MR0103

Defines sour environment as

Water with > 50 ppm total sulfide
Water pH < 4 and any sulfide.
Water pH > 7.6 and = 20 ppm HCN and any sulfide
> 0.05 psi pH2S in a gas phase
 CAST IRONs

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-2 MR0103

Gray iron. Not acceptable for Same as MR0175 Same as MR0175

pressure parts.
A395 DCI is OK if other specs
like API,ANSI approve its use
 CARBON STEEL SUMMARY

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-2 MR0103

1. Base metal hardness of 1. Base metal hardness of 1. No base metal hardness

Rc22 max. Rc22 max. control for P1 steels
2. < 1% Ni for L.A. 2. < 1% Ni for L.A 2. Alloy steels <10% Cr at
3. Most H.T.’s acceptable 3. WPQ requires Rc22 max
microhardness testing of 3. WPQ per RP0472
4. Verify that weld procedure
produces a weld and HAZ weld and HAZ per para. Customer specifies which
7.3.3 or Rc if design stress of 3 methods to use
zone of Rc22 max or use
is < 2/3 SMYS and PWHT
PWHT performed
NACE RP0472

Title –Methods and Controls to Prevent In-Service Environmental Cracking of

Carbon Steel Weldments in Corrosive Petroleum Refining Environments.
1. Weld deposit 200 HBW max
2. HAZ Hardness Control – specified by customer
1. Base metal chemistry controls and suitable weld procedure1.controls i.e.,
preheat, amps, filler metal
2. PWHT
3. HAZ micro-hardness testing during procedure qualification3.248 HV max.
ISO HARDNESS TESTING FOR WPQ
HAZ HARDNESS CONCERN

Heat of welding and subsequent rapidly cooling of HAZ can cause localized hard
areas.
Brinell and Rockwell testing may not be fine enough to detect hard spots
Microhardness testing now emphasized
 MARTENSITIC SS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

pH > 3.5 and 1.5 psia H2S max Same as MR0175 No Environmental. Limits
410, 420 & CA15 Rc22 410,420 & CA15 Rc22
Q & double T Q & double T
420 SS Rc 22 and Q & T CA6NM & 424 Rc23
CA6NM & 424 Rc23 Q & double T
Q & double T
 WELDING MARTENSITIC SS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

410, 420 & CA15 PWHT at
1150°F min. and meet base metal
hardness Rc22
424 & CA6NM PWHT at
1075- 1150°For double temper
and meet base metal hardness
Rc23
Same as MR0175 410, 420 & CA15 PWHT at
1150°F min. and meet base metal
hardness
424 & CA6NM only double
temper PWHT and base metal
hardness Rc23
 AUSTENITIC 18 – 8 TYPE SS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

1. Base metal hardness of 1. Base metal hardness of 1. Base metal hardness of

Rc22 max Rc22 max Rc22 max
2. Solution anneal 2. Solution anneal 2. Solution anneal
3. 0.08% C max 3. 0.08% C max 3. 0.10% max. C
4. 309 & 310 OK 4. 309 & 310 OK 4. HAZ hardness is same as
5. HAZ must be Rc 22 max. 5. Weld with L grade fillers. base metal.
6. WPQ of HAZ by micro
hardness per 7.3.3
 18 – 8 TYPE SS ENVIR. LIMITS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

15 psia H2S at 60°C and any Cl 15 psia H2S at 60°C and any Cl No limits
and no S and no S
If <50 ppm Cl then H2S 50 psia If <50 ppm Cl then no limits
N50 OK at Rc35 and15 psia on H2S or temp
H2S at 66°C with no S 316SS 93°C if H2S < 1.5 psia
and Cl <5000 ppm & pH = 5
N50 OK at Rc35 and15 psia
H2S at 66°C
 HIGH ALLOY AUSTINITIC SS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

%Ni + 2(%Mo) >30 %Ni + 2(%Mo) >30 %Ni + 2(%Mo) >30

CN7M, Alloy 20 CN7M, Alloy 20 CN7M, Alloy 20
Solution anneal Solution anneal Solution anneal or cold worked
Max. 15 psia H2S at 60°C any Max. 15 psia H2S at 60°C any at Rc35
Cl and no S Cl No environmental limits
If Cl <50 ppm then 50 psia If Cl <50 ppm then no limit on
max H2S H2S
 SUPER AUSTENITIC SS PREN > 40

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

Sol. Annealed Sol. Annealed Solution annealed or cold work

<50 ppm Cl no limits on T or P <50 ppm Cl no limits on T or P to Rc35
At 171°C max H2S 15 psi max 5000 ppm max Cl limits No limits
and no S and Cl 5000 ppm max similar to MR0175
149°C max H2S is 45 psi CK3MCuN 100 Rb
121°C H2S is 100 psi
CK3MCuN 100
 PRECIP. HARDENABLE SS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

Non-Pressure parts Same as MR0175 17-4 PH & 15-5 PH at Rc33

17-4 PH & 15-5 PH at Rc33 15-7 PH for snap rings if Rcdouble aged H.T.
double aged H.T 30-32 Used for bolting at Rc29 in
0.5 psia H2S and pH =4.5 Welds meet same hardness as H1150M condition
Welds meet same hardness asbase metal Welds meet same hardness as
base metal base metal
DUPLEX SS PREN < 40

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

Solution annealed Same as MR0175 Solution annealed

No hardness limit Ferrite 35-65%
Ferrite 35-65% Rc 28 max
Max temp. 450°F No P or T limits
Max 1.5 psia H2S
DUPLEX SS PREN > 40

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

3 psia max H2S Same as MR0175 Same as MR0175 w/o environ.

Solution annealed Limits
No hardness limit Rc 32 max
Ferrite 35-65%
 WELDING DUPLEX SS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

PQR- weld and HAZ 30-70% HAZ hardness < base metal PQR- microhardness testing of
ferrite WPQ requires micro of weldbase metal, HAZ and weld per
HAZ hardness < base metal cross section at 400X RP0472 with max 310 HV
No G.B. ppts 35-65% ferrite
Intermetallic phases, nitrides Heat input ± 10% of PQR
carbides <1% Wall thickness ± 20% PQR
Sigma <0.5%
30-70% ferrite
 SOLID SOLUTION Ni - ALLOYS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

Inconel 625 Same as MR0175 Same as MR0175 but specific

Hastelloy C types Monel 400 & 405 at Rc 35hardness limits for cold worked
max condition
No hardness limit
Inconel 625, Hastelloy C276,
No Envirn. Limits
Incoloy 800 &825, Monel 400
Solution anneal not cold &405 Rc 35 max.
worked
Hastelloy C22 Rc40 max.
WELDING Ni - ALLOY

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

No hardness limit No hardness limit HAZ and weld must meet the
base metal hardness limit
MISCELLANEOUS ALLOYS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

Ultimet Rc 22 Ultimet Rc 22 Ultimet Rc33

Ti C-2 Rb 100 Ti C-2 Rb 100 Ti C-2 Rb100
Ti C-12 Rb 92 Ti C-12 Rb 92
 OVERLAYS

MR0175 2003 ISO 15156-3 MR0103

Stellite, Colmonoy and WC are Same as MR0175 Same as MR0175

OK if base metal hardness is not
affected.
If it is then PWHT
Overlays cannot be used to
protect a susceptible base
material
BOLTING

Only exposed bolting is controlled

Exposed
Underground
Wrapped in Insulation
Covered by Flange Protectors
Denied direct access to atmosphere
BOLTING

MR0103
B7M RC22 max
B8MA Class 1
Cut threads only
BOLTING (COUNTINUED)

ISO 15156
B7M
Cut threads
SUMMARY

BOTH THE USER AND MANUFACTURER NEED TO UNDERSTAND THESE

SPECIFICATIONS.
NOTE THAT SOME HIGHER ALLOYS HAVE THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS
AS LOWER ALLOYS
EACH OF THE THREE STANDARDS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS
FOR SAME ALLOY
MOST, IF NOT ALL OFF THE SHELF ALLOYS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE
SPECIFICATIONS.
YOU MAY HAVE TO DEVELOP NEW WELD PROCEDURES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ISO 15156 is targeted for updating every 5 years

Technical corrigenda and circulars are issued as needed in interim
www.iso.org/iso15156maintenance

5 years Sour service forum on NACE website

NACE membership gives you free access to all NACE standards