STANDARD MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

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IN-42.1 2 1/9 AQ

STANDARD MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

LOW ALLOYED STEELS FOR

PRESSURE VESSELS

Application to 1¼ Cr – 0.5 Mo &

1¼ Cr – 0.5 Mo with clad or overlay

(IN-42.1)

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IN-42.1 2 2/9 AQ

GENERAL COMMENTS

The information given hereafter for "Base Metal Quality" and "Welding" results from
AXENS/IFP experience in the field of hydro-processing and reforming units. Specific codes,
as well as Client and Engineering Contractor Standards may also influence the choice in
materials and methods. Therefore, the given specifications shall be conside red as minimum
requirements and should consequently be used by the Engineering Contractor during call -for-
bid.
The data given here, are defined in the aim at giving an appropriated quality and safety level
for these critical equipments. It should not in any case interfere with Contractor’s
specification relative to design, manufacturing and inspection of the equipment. In case of any
discrepancy between specifications, and for lack of any official derogating decision issued by
the Owner or the Contractor, then the more stringent requirement shall govern.

1. SCOPE
These specifications are to be applied to the equipment fabricated with 1.25Cr-0.5Mo low
alloyed steel and 1.25Cr-0.5Mo low alloyed steel weld overlaid or clad with austenitic
stainless steel and built in accordance with the ASME code as applicable.
DESIGN CODE (AS REFERENCE )
ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 Pressure Vessels
ASME Section VIII, Div. 2 Pressure Vessels - Alternative rules
ASME Section II, Part A Ferrous Material Specifications
ASME Section II, Part D Properties
2. REACTORS MANUFACTURING
2.1 Base Material Plates
The plates to be used for the fabrication of the equipment shall comply with the basic
requirements of the ASME Sect. II, Part A & Part D specification SA-387 Gr. 11, Class 2 and
SA-20 supplemented by following additional requirements:

2.1.1 Steel making process/heat treatment

· As generally specified for this kind of critical equipment, all plates should preferably
be ordered from steel made by the electric furnace and vacuum degassing process.
Nevertheless, basic oxygen furnace process with heated ladle refining and vacuum
degassing may also be considered as acceptable.
· All plates shall be thermally treated either by annealing, normalizing-and-tempering,
or, when permitted by the purchaser, accelerated cooling from the austenitizing
temperature by air blasting or liquid quenching, followed by tempering,

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IN-42.1 2 3/9 AQ

· Heat treatments holding time shall be sufficient to obtain an uniform temperature

throughout the plate.
· The tempering temperature shall be adapted so as to give the required mechanical
properties after post-weld heat treatment. It shall consequently be noted that,
depending on cases, the Minimum temperature of Tempering may sometimes be
higher than the one defined for the final Post-Weld Heat Treatment of the equipment.

2.1.2 Chemical analysis

The chemical analysis of the present steel grade shall be in conformity with ASME
specification SA-387 requirements with the following restrictions:
· The expected level of the main impurities shall be as follows (by Heat Analysis):

Acceptable limitations AXENS Preferences

C 0.15% max
P 0.010% max (target 0.008%)
S 0.005% max (target 0.002%)
O2 30ppm max 20ppm max (target 15ppm)
(*) H2 3ppm max 2ppm max (target 1ppm)

P + Sn 0.015% max (target 0.012%)

(*)
Vendor shall be able to propose such guaranty for thickest plates (i.e. >150mm).

· While the other indications here below, given for information, are corresponding to
the typical chemical compositions which should also be met for such kind of
application (by Heat Analysis):

Typical limitations

Ni 0.25% max
Cu 0.15% max
Si 0.30% max
Al 0.04% max
V 0.010% max
Sn 0.010% max
As 0.012% max
Sb 0.004% max
N2 80 ppm max
Nb 0.010% max
Ti 0.01% max

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IN-42.1 2 4/9 AQ

Even if the risk of Temper Embrittlement is normally much more moderate for this grade than
for higher alloyed steels, the "J" factor shall verify the relation hereafter :

"J" = (Si + Mn) * (P + Sn) * 104 < 180 (target 150)

All elements mentioned here-above, specified in weight percentages have to be checked on

ladle and on product.
Note: This criterion and also the specified impurities level shall uniformly be guarantied for
the whole vessel, including the shell, heads and all other plates made pressure retaining parts
as well (e.g. nozzle parts, elbows, etc.).

2.1.3 Mechanical properties

2.1.3.1 Test Specimens
· As per code requirements SA20 / SA370 unless otherwise specified by the project
· The Impact Tests shall be carried out after heat treatments simulating those anticipated
along the fabrication that is post-forming heat treatment and intermediate HT, if any,
and also final PWHT
· The Mechanical Tests shall be carried out after heat treatments simulating those
anticipated along the fabrication that is post-forming heat treatment, intermediate HT,
if any, and final PWHT plus additional heat treatments to anticipate potential repair
(number to be defined by Contractor/Owner).

2.1.3.2 Tensile properties

· Tensile tests shall be carried out at room temperature (Tensile tests at design
temperature may eventually be requested for information, depending on the Contractor
specification).
· Room temperature tensile properties shall meet the requirements of the material
standard.
· Yield strength at design temperature shall meet the value taken into account in
calculation notes (Ultimate Tensile Strength will be given for information).

Note: For Creep range calculation, Yield and Ultimate Strength may be given for information
at the Owner/EPC discretion.

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IN-42.1 2 5/9 AQ

2.1.3.3 Impact test properties

Charpy V-notch impact testing is required for all pressure retaining components, welds and
heat affected zone.
The average of three impact test values at testing temperature shall not be less than 40ft.lb
(55J) without individual value below 35ft.lb (47J).
Testing temperature shall be the lower of the Minimum Design Metal Temperature (MDMT)
and -18°C (0°F).

2.1.3.4 Hardness properties

The material hardness shall not exceed 220 HB.

2.1.3.5 Responsibility for Base material Tests

Mechanical tests may be performed by the base material’s Manufacturer or the reactor
Manufacturer. The Mechanical Tests shall allow ensuring that the minimum mechanical
properties required will be met after all anticipated heat treatments of the reactor during and
after fabrication.

2.2 Base Material Forging

2.2.1 Steel making process/heat treatment
Forging including those used for shell, heads and nozzles, shall conform to all requirements of
ASME Specification SA-336 F11, Class 2 and the additional requirements given for plates
defined in corresponding paragraph here before.
Forges for which weight does not exceed 4540 kg (10000Lb) may also be supplied per ASME
Specification SA-182 F11, Class 2.
As generally specified for this kind of critical equipment, all forges should be ordered from
steel made by the electric furnace and vacuum degassing process. Nevertheless; basic oxygen
furnace process with heated ladle refining and vacuum degassing may also be considered as
acceptable.
Note: The Forges used for shell parts will preferably be made from hollow ingots.

2.2.2 Chemical analysis

In addition to the requirements of ASME Specifications SA-336 or SA-182, the specific
restrictions listed for Plates shall be fully applied.

2.2.3 Mechanical properties

All impact testing requirements given for Plates are applicable for Forging.

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IN-42.1 2 6/9 AQ

3. WELDING
3.1 General
The vessel Manufacturer shall not subcontract fabrication involving welding to others without
the written approval of the Contractor.

The plate, or forge edge preparation for welding as well as the nozzle openings will be carried
out by machining. Flame cutting may sometimes be allowed by the Contractor provided the
heat affected zone is completely removed by machining or grinding (ex: Nozzles openings in
shell or head)

3.2 Welding Processes

Welding processes are:
· SAW : Submerged Arc Welding
The Manufacturer and brand name or grade of all welding consumables shall be specified
in the welding procedure and submitted to the Contractor for approval.
· SMAW : Shielded Manual Arc Welding
Only low hydrogen electrodes shall be used (refer to ASME II Part C SFA 5.5).
Dedicated procedure for electrodes drying/conditioning shall be submitted to Contractor
for approval.
· GTAW : Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Remark:
· FCAW : Flux Cored Arc Welding may be considered as acceptable.
· GMAW : Gas Metal Arc Welding may be used for welds not subjected to pressure.

Note: All the pressure retaining welds in hydrogen service, including the internals welded on
pressure parts, have to be full penetration type. If this is not possible, there will be a vent
drill-hole of the not welded area. External attachments are not concerned

3.3 Welding Consumables Chemical Analysis

The deposited weld metal shall match with the nominal chemical composition of the base
material and the mechanical properties of the deposited weld metal shall meet those of the
base material.
Material Certificates shall be delivered for each batch, lot, diameter of covered electrodes,
wire/flux combination to be used for fabrication.

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IN-42.1 2 7/9 AQ

Furthermore the high purity level of the steel shall be such that P, Sn, Sb and As be as low as
possible to meet BRUSCATO parameter in the weld deposit X:

X = (10P+4Sn+5Sb+As)/100 < 20 ppm (target 15ppm)

(All chemical elements specified in ppm)

Note : Contractor may require for some PMI (Positive Material Identification) to be applied
on deposited metal in the aim at checking the steel grade conformity.

4. CLADDING OR WELD OVERLAY

4.1. Cladding

High-Alloy clad materials shall be in accordance with the ASME Section II, Part A,
Specification SA-264 for Chromium-Nickel Steels.
Cladding shall be 3mm minimum thickness SA-240 or as specified on the drawings. A
140MPa minimum shear strength per SA-264 is required. The clad plate shall be
ultrasonically examined in accordance with SA-578 supplementary requirements S7 using
Level 1 acceptance criteria.

4.2 Weld Overlay

Generally speaking, the weld overlay is applied using a two-layers technique:
· First layer: 309L SS
· Second layer: 347 SS (type SS321 shall not be permitted)
· Minimum effective thickness of undiluted alloy (after final machining if any) shall be
those required on equipment data sheet specification.
However, single layer weld deposit overlay (type 309LNb as typical) may be used provided
the fabricator can demonstrate to the contractor the use of a qualified and acceptable
procedure.
Note: The number of weld layers in production shall not be less than the number of layers
deposited for weld overlay procedure qualification tests.

When required by the Owner/User, a method to evaluate the weld overlay for susceptibility to
hydrogen disbonding shall be agreed between the fabricator and owner/user. In such a case,
the Owner/User shall define testing requirements and acceptance criteria. An example of a
standard disbonding test may be found in ASTM G 146.

Welding processes are the same than in § 3-2, using strips or wires for SAW process.

GMAW process is not allowed, except for structural attachments welding on overlay.

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IN-42.1 2 8/9 AQ

FCAW with gas shielding may also be used for some limited location such as overlay on Cr-
Mo joint, internal support rings, etc.

Both of GMAW and FCAW processes shall be authorized by the Contractor. As the same
manner, the use of Electroslag (ESW) process remains subject to Contractor’s acceptance.

4.3 Ferrite Content

The ferrite content (FN) of the weld deposits will be less than 8, but more than 3 to prevent
hot cracking.
Ferrite content is typically determined by the as-deposited chemical composition and the
WRC-diagram.

4.4 Nozzles and Manways

Nozzles and Manways (neck, flange, blind) in clad vessels, or in clad section of vessels, shall
be of the same base material as the vessel and internally clad, or overlaid, with the same high
alloy.
Loose lining, lap-joint flanges, welding of nozzle of different material than the vessel is not
permitted.
The thickness of the cladding or overlay shall be at least equal to that of the cladding or
overlay of the vessel.

5. POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT (BY VESSEL FABRICATOR)

· The equipment shall receive PWHT as required by ASME and/or applicable Code
Cases.
· Unless otherwise specified by steel maker a typical recommended range of
temperature could be 655-700°C – Holding time by reactor manufacturer according to
wall thickness and code and taking into account the anticipated number of heat
treatment cycles.
Note : Vessel Manufacturer has the full responsibility of the mechanical behavior of
the vessel. For this reason, PWHT specification shall be optimized and defined by
himself (in accordance with steel Manufacturer) so as to guaranty, at one and the
same time, mechanical and toughness characteristics on the delivered equipment. The
given typical temperature range may accordingly be reconsidered.

· Intermediate Heat treatments definition is under vessel vendor scope and shall be
approved by the Contractor,

· All welding will be completed before final PWHT excepted where special care has
been taken to avoid necessity of PWHT (buttering with high alloy deposits).

Note : Local PWHT shall not be permitted. In case of any furnace size limitation, vessel
Manufacturer shall obtain specific derogation from the Contractor to perform local
PWHT at the closing seam of shell.

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IN-42.1 2 9/9 AQ

6. NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING BY FABRICATOR

6.1. For vessels designed and constructed in accordance with the rules of ASME Section
VIII, Div.1, Inspection Plan and Testing Plan shall be submitted to Engineering (EPC) for
approval.
6.2. For vessels designed and constructed in accordance with the rules of ASME Section
VIII, Div.2, non destructive examination (NDE) as a minimum shall comply with the Table
AF-241.1.
6.3. Minimum requirements for NDE should typically include the following non-
destructive tests :
· Radiographic examination (RT) on all pressure welds (prior to PWHT only, provided
that UT is made before and after PWHT),
RT is not so effective after PWHT for detecting potential cracks. RT is sensitive for
volumetric flaw such as slugs inclusion but not sensitive for shape cracks which could
appear during PWHT. Nevertheless, the final decision, relative to RT examination
sequences, belongs to the Contractor.
· Ultrasonic examination (UT) for all pressure welds (prior/after PWHT and after
hydrotest),
· Positive Material Identification (PMI) on all alloyed material if any (cladding, overlay,
etc.),
· Mill test report shall be supplied for all materials,
· Magnetic Particles Examination (MT) after PWHT,
· Dye penetrant examination (PT) of all weld overlay surfaces after PWHT,
· Hardness measurement.
· In case of cladding and/or weld overlay, Ferrite checking (magnetic ferriscope) in
addition to ferrite evaluation based upon sampling and chemical analysis. Acceptance
criteria of ferrite content by magnetic ferriscope shall be 3% to 10%. Magnetic
instrument shall be calibrated and certified per AWS A4-2.

7. VESSEL AGEING SURVEY

In the aim at being able to evaluate the Vessel Ageing after long term operations, it is
recommended to install some dedicated coupons into the equipment to be operated above
350°C. These coupons, made from same plate as the one used for the vessel itself, shall be
thought in term of design to be similar with the shell wall behavior.
Moreover, they have to be properly localized into the process main stream so as to be
submitted to (representative) operating conditions as the pressure retaining parts will. Unless
otherwise specified by client or detail engineering, the design and positioning of the coupons
will be proposed by the Vessel Vendor.

This document contains confidential proprietary material belonging to Axens which may only be made available
to personnel or organizations who have signed appropriate secrecy agreements.
IN-42-1-2.doc