A Comparative Study of Hydrogen-Induced Cracking Resistances of API 5L B and X52MS Carbon Steels

Abstract

Susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cracking of API 5L B and X52MS low-carbon steels in NACE 177-A, 177-B, and 284-B solutions has been investigated by the present work. A metallographic analysis of these steels was performed before and after NACE TM0284 standard testing. Corrosion products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray dispersive energy spectrometry, which were subsequently identified by X-ray diffraction. Thus it was found that pH directly affects the solubility of corrosion products and hydrogen permeation. Both steels showed generalized corrosion in solution 177-A, and a discontinuous film was formed on their surfaces in solution 177-B; however, only the API 5L B steel failed the HIC test and exhibited greater crack length ratio in solution 177-A. In solution 284-B whose pH is higher, the steels exhibited thick mackinawite films with no internal cracking.