Unbonded Flexible pipes have inner armour of stainless steel made from a helix structure of an S-shaped
continuous strip. Typically the selected stainless steel grade has been AISI 316L (UNS S31603). The
recent development of lean duplex materials has provided attractive alternatives due to the increased
strength, good corrosion resistance and lower cost.
The carcass in an unbonded flexible pipe is exposed to the conveyed fluid or gas but protected from
marine seawater surroundings. This paper describes acceptance criteria for autoclave testing in CO2 /
H2S environments. Observations are made on initiation of pitting and selective corrosion on LDX 2101
(UNS S32101). Results from both short and long term tests are evaluated in order to validate an
acceptable duration for autoclave testing.
Key Words: flexible pipe, carcass, lean duplex stainless steel, autoclave testing, acceptance criteria.