STANDARD MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
Réf. Rév. Page
IN-043-EN 3 4/8
1.3 Wet H2S damage mechanisms and control philosophy
Process conditions where hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is present together with a free water phase
are necessary for wet H2S damage mechanisms to occur. The diffusion into the steel of
hydrogen generated by corrosion reactions is promoted by the presence of dissolved H2S;
this promotes the development of cracks that appear and propagate through the wall within a
few hours. Continuous as well as transient operations in wet H2S service shall thus be both
considered as wet H2S services. Wet H2S damage mechanisms that are controlled by
application of the present specification are: Sulfide Stress Corrosion Cracking (SSC),
Hydrogen Induced Cracking and blistering (HIC), and Stress Oriented Hydrogen Induced
Cracking (SOHIC). Risks of wet H2S cracking (SSC, HIC and SOHIC) are evaluated by
Axens at the process design stage. This evaluation results in the definition of two categories
for materials of construction:
Category 1: wet H2S resistant materials
Category 2: HIC resistant materials
1.3.1 Sulfide Stress Corrosion Cracking (SSC)
SSC generates cracks in welds, heat affected zones (HAZ) and surrounding base metal of
welded carbon steel constructions where areas of high residual stress and high hardness are
generated during welding operations. Axens aim is to control the risk of SSC by selecting
carbon steel materials with chemistry control of impurities that would otherwise promote the
occurrence of harmful microstructures and of areas of high hardness during welding
operations (Category 1: wet H2S resistant materials), and supplemented by the tempering of
the microstructure after welding operations by application of Post Weld Heat Treatment
(PWHT).
1.3.2 Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC), Blistering and Stress Oriented
Hydrogen Induced Cracking (SOHIC)
Hydrogen atoms generated by corrosion phenomenon diffuse through the steel and
recombine into hydrogen gas in the bulk metal at the interface between inclusions and the
steel matrix. Internal pressure increases promote delamination and cavities along elongated
inclusions, parallel to the rolling direction. These mechanisms are a concern for plate
materials where inclusions are elongated by the rolling operations. The selection of carbon
steel with low phosphorous and sulfur levels, and with a control of the shape of inclusions
and HIC testing is necessary for achieving proper resistance to HIC related damage
mechanisms (Category 2: HIC resistant materials). Other product forms different than plates
with resistance to SSC are not as sensitive to HIC related damage mechanisms.
1.4 Procurement
Carbon steel materials to be operated in wet H2S service and covered by the present
document shall not be considered as plain/standard carbon steels within the project
framework. They shall be made traceable, preferably by marking with low stress stamps.
Documentation relative to these materials shall include chemical analyses of carbon,
phosphorus and sulfur, hardness, level of cold work, heat treatment delivery conditions and
result of HIC test when required.
This document contains confidential proprietary information belonging to Axens.
It shall not be disclosed to any third parties without Axens’ prior written consent.
