Element offers Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) tests to accurately assess the susceptibility of your carbon and low alloy steel equipment to hydrogen induced cracking in wet H2S/sour service operating environments such as in the Oil & Gas industry. The tests are normally carried out according to NACE TM0284.
What is Hydrogen Induced Cracking?
Carbon and low alloy steels which are subjected to sour service environments may be susceptible to Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC). In the presence of water and hydrogen sulfide, atomic hydrogen is produced and enters the steel, recombining at discontinuities to form molecular (gases) hydrogen (gases). The pressure of the hydrogen gas causes localized internal cracks, known as Hydrogen induced cracks.
Hydrogen induced cracks either follow a linear or stepwise path within the material, hence the term ‘stepwise cracking’. However, under certain stress and material conditions, the cracks can be arranged in a ladder-like array known as Stress Orientated Hydrogen Induced Cracking (SOHIC). This form of cracking is often seen in the low hardness Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) region of welds.
With the fast turnaround of tests and access to a global network of expertise, our dedicated corrosion labs are able to carry out HIC and SOHIC tests on steels furnished in the form of pipes, plates, fittings, and flanges for use in fabricating pipelines and pressure vessels.
HIC test method– NACE TM0284
Element performs HIC testing in accordance with NACE TM0284 by exposing unstressed test specimens to the specified environment saturated with hydrogen sulfide gas at 1 bar pressure for a duration of 96 hours for the standard test. Fitness for purpose of testing may also be performed using reduced partial pressures of hydrogen sulfide and for durations of up to 30 days.
Following the exposure period, the specimens are metallographically prepared, optically examined, and any cracks are measured and the following ratios reported:
- CSR (Crack Sensitivity Ratio)
- CLR (Crack Length Ratio)
- CTR (Crack Thickness Ratio)
Stress-Oriented Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (SOHIC) test method
Element carries out SOHIC testing to NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 using test methods in BS 8701 (Full Ring Test), NACE TM0177-Method A (tensile) or NACE TM0316 (Four Point Bend).
For more information about how we perform Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) Testing, or to request a quote, contact us today.
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