Several offshore field failures in recent years have been attributed to Hydrogen Induced Stress Cracking (HISC) of high strength, highly corrosion resistant Precipitation Hardened Nickel Alloys (PHNA’s) such as UNS N07716, UNS N07718 and UNS N07725.
Hence, HISC is a constant concern regarding subsea components subjected to high tensile stress, and the industry is searching for solutions to their technical needs: High strength corrosion resistant alloys (CRA’s) resistant to seawater (high Pitting Resistance Equivalent number (PREN)) but also resistant to HISC.
For PHNA’s, improved processing (chemical composition limits and processing temperatures) and improved quality control methods as well as refined acceptance criteria are all under consideration.