Materials System Specification

01-SAMSS-016 25 December 2013

Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 3
3 References..................................................... 3
4 Definitions....................................................... 4
5 Test Solution Requirements........................... 5
6 Quality Control Requirements........................ 5
7 Acceptance Criteria........................................ 6

Appendix A – Documentation Required

for Bid Evaluation................................... 9
Appendix B – Test Procedure for Evaluating
HIC in H2S Saturated Solution A.......... 10

Previous Issue: 4 November 2013 Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 14
Primary contact: Anezi, Mohammed Ali on +966-13-8809528

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2013. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

1 Scope

1.1 This specification is supplementary to the latest edition of NACE TM0284 and
covers the following:
 Storage Tanks under the scopes of 32-SAMSS-005, 32-SAMSS-006 and
32-SAMSS-030.
 Pressure Vessels under the scopes of 32-SAMSS-004 and 32-SAMSS-036.
 Heat Exchangers under the scopes of 32-SAMSS-007, 32-SAMSS-011,
32-SAMSS-019, 32-SAMSS-027 and 32-SAMSS-028.
 Fittings made from plates under the scope of 02-SAMSS-005.
 Hot tap and stopple fittings under the scope of 02-SAMSS-006.
 Scraper Trapes under 02-SAMSS-009.

1.2 Mandatory Requirements

1.2.1 This specification must be provided in full by the Buyer, Agent or other
intermediary to the primary Fabricator or Steel mill at both bidding and
purchasing processes. Both the steel mill and fabricator shall fully
comply with this specification. They must provide documentation
(see Appendix A) supporting their capability to manufacture and supply
HIC-resistant products. For new Fabricators, a current clients' list for
HIC-resistant products shall also be required.

1.2.2 HIC resistant Plates intended for the manufacturing of eqipments listed
in scope above shall be procured from an approved Saudi Aramco steel
mill.
Commentary:

Contact Saudi Aramco buyer for a list of approved steel mills for supplying
HIC resustant steel.

1.2.3 Pseudo-HIC Resistant steel shall not be used to fabricate pressure vessels
intended for sour service application. Steel that passes the HIC test, but
has not been initially manufactured to be HIC resistant steel shall not be
used.

1.2.4 Plates procured from stockiest shall be verified by HIC testing and meet the
requirements of this specification. The original Mill Test Certificate shall
be verified by VID to confirm meeting 01-SAMSS-016 requirements.

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

1.2.5 The Mill Test certificate shall state that the radiation level from the steel
plates is less than 100 becquerels/gram (Bq/gram) or 0.5 microsieverts per
hour (μSV/hr).

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.3 Conflicting Requirements and Deviations

In case of conflict or deviation between this specification and drawings, design,

data sheet or order not specifically covered as an exception by the Purchase
Order, the Buyer shall be consulted and a ruling in writing obtained by the
Fabricator before any work is done.

3 References

The following references in force on the date of the Purchase Order form a
supplementary part of this specification, as applicable.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

32-SAMSS-004 Manufacture of Pressure Vessels
32-SAMSS-005 Manufacture of Atmospheric Tanks
32-SAMSS-006 Manufacture of Low Pressure Tanks
32-SAMSS-007 Manufacture of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers
32-SAMSS-011 Manufacture of Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

32-SAMSS-019 Manufacture of Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers

32-SAMSS-027 Manufacture of Electric Heat Exchangers
32-SAMSS-028 Manufacture of Double Pipe Heat Exchangers
32-SAMSS-030 Manufacture of Small Tanks
32-SAMSS-036 Manufacture of Small Pressure Vessels

Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements

Form 175-010200 Inspection and Testing Requirements - HIC Testing

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A435 Standard Specification for Straight-Beam
Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
ASTM A578 Standard Specification for Straight-Beam
Ultrasonic Examination of Plain and Clad Steel
Plates for Special Applications

National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE TM0284-2011 Evaluation of Pipeline and Pressure Vessel Steels
for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

4 Definitions

For the purpose of this specification, the following definitions shall apply:

Agent: The Company representing the Fabricator.

Buyer: Saudi Aramco Purchasing Department Representative.

Buyer's Representative: The Saudi Aramco person(s) designated by the Purchasing

Department to monitor/enforce the contract.

Steel Mill: Company which manufactures the required steel plates.

Pseudo-HIC Resistant Steel: Plate that is not fabricated utilizing the quality
control/assurance and fabrication measures to intentionally produce HIC resistant steel.

Responsible Standardization Agent (RSA): The Responsible Standardization Agent

for commodity assigned by Engineering Services/CSD, the responsible agency, with the
concurrence of materials standardization, to be the technical authority on issues related
to commodity.

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Third Party Laboratory: An independent testing laboratory not affiliated with the
fabricator or steel mill.

Fabricator: Vessel/Equipment steel mill fabricator.

Crack Length Ratio (CLR): is defined as the sum of the lengths of the individual
longitudinal cracks divided by the width of the polished specimen face times 100%
(Figure 2).

Crack Thickness Ratio (CTR): is defined as the sum of the thickness of crack arrays
divided by the thickness of the polished specimen face times 100% (Figure 2).

Sample: is defined as a set of test specimens; multiple samples could be collected from
one plate to be tested, and each consists of multiple specimens based on the plate
thickness.

Specimens: is defined as part of the sample. See Sample definition.

5 Test Solution Requirements

Solution A of the current NACE TM0284 shall be used for qualifying the products
listed above in Section 1.1. The test procedure is detailed in Appendix B.

6 Quality Control Requirements

The Chairman of the Materials Engineering Standards Committee shall approve HIC
Test Laboratories.

For quality control, the following minimum requirements shall be met:

6.1 Verify the Inspection and Testing Requirements specified in Form 175-010200
HIC Testing are completely satisfied. This task shall be carried out by Saudi
Aramco Inspection Representative, e.g., Vendor Inspection Division.

6.2 HIC control samples, provided by the Steel mill /Fabricator or 3rd party
laboratory, shall be used for all tests. These control samples shall have
demonstrated HIC-cracking sensitivity, i.e., Average Crack Length Ratio (CLR)
exceeding 20% in Solution A. Control samples manufactured by quenching
shall not be acceptable, e.g., hardness shall not exceed 248 HV.

6.3 The purity of the H2S gas shall be 99.5% minimum. H2S gas generated from
chemical reactions, e.g., Kipps apparatus, is not acceptable as a source of H2S gas.

6.4 H2S concentration shall be measured by iodometric titration as per the current
NACE TM0284 , i.e., ≥ 2,300 ppm. Measurements shall be conducted at start of
test, i.e., after 1 hour (saturation) and at the end of test (96 hours).

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

6.5 The HIC testing laboratory shall provide documentation supporting the adequate
training of technicians or engineers undertaking the evaluation of CLR and CTR
measurements.

6.6 Should the HIC test results be rejected by Saudi Aramco, re-testing may be
referred to an independent 3rd party laboratory acceptable to Saudi Aramco for
resolution. This laboratory shall use HIC test methods and control samples in
accordance with this specification.

6.7 HIC test specimens shall be fully traced to their mother plates including plate
number and the rolling direction and location on the mother plate. Marking on
the specimens shall be applied by hard stamping.

7 Acceptance Criteria

The criteria presented below include HIC Testing Sensitivity and Non-Destructive
Inspection.

7.1 HIC Sensitivity Testing

The following sections cover HIC sensitivity testing for raw material intended
for fabrication of storage tanks and pressured equipment. The HIC test shall be
performed in accordance with Appendix B of this specification.

7.1.1 Raw Material (Plate)

Testing shall be performed by the Steel mill /Fabricator or 3rd party

laboratory acceptable to Saudi Aramco or by an approved pipe mill HIC
testing facility.
 Testing shall be carried out on all heats.

 Three samples shall be cut from one end, across the width of the
plate. These samples shall be oriented longitudinally, i.e., along the
principal rolling direction (Figure 1). The long axis of the sample
shall be parallel to the rolling direction of the plate.

 If the steel is produced by the ingot casting method, the samples shall
be taken from both ends of the ingot.

 If several thicknesses are produced from a plate of a single heat, then

the thinnest shall be tested as a minimum. The steel Mill has the
option to qualify each thickness separately.

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Figure 1 – Plate Sampling Location Diagram

7.1.2 The Plate shall be HIC tested as follows:

 One plate from each heat supplied on the Purchase Order shall be
tested.
 If more than one thickness of plate is produced from a single heat,
the thinnest plate shall be tested as a minimum. See paragraph 7.1.1.

7.1.3 Specimens intended for HIC testing shall be in the same heat treatment
condition of the plates. Conducting stress relieving on the HIC
specimens is not acceptable if the delivered plates have not been stress
relieved at a minimum temperature of 593°C for 1 hour/1 inch.
Plates used for fabrication of equipment that does not require PWHT,
i.e., tanks, shall be tested in the same application condition.

7.1.4 Stress relieving of the HIC specimens at a minimum temperature of

593°C for 1 hour/1 inch is deemed acceptable if declaration from the
vessel fabricator is obtained confirming the application of PWHT on the
vessel subsequent to fabrication. Stress relieving temperature of the HIC
specimens shall not exceed 640°C.

7.1.5 HIC resistant plate procured from stock shall be verified against the
stress relieving temperature requirements in 7.1.4.

7.1.6 HIC Testing Acceptance Criteria

HIC is evaluated in terms of crack length ratio (CLR) and crack

thickness ratio (CTR) as defined in Section 4 and illustrated in Figure 2.
These values shall be reported for each metallographic cross-section
examined and as the calculated average of three specimens per sample.
The results for each sample, i.e., the average of the three specimens
examined, shall be used for evaluating HIC sensitivity.

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

a) Acceptable

Surface Blistering - Cracks associated with surface blistering which

at no point extend more than 1 mm from the specimen surfaces are
acceptable. Cracks extending deeper than 1 mm shall be evaluated
as per Appendix B, Section 7C of this specification.

Longitudinal cracking is acceptable as long as the calculated average

CLR for each individual specimen is less than or equal to 10%;

Stepwise cracking is acceptable providing the calculated average

CTR for each individual specimen is less than or equal to 3%.
b) Not Acceptable

Longitudinal cracking in which the calculated average CLR of any

of the specimens exceeds 10% is not acceptable.

Stepwise cracking in which the calculated average CTR of any of

the specimens exceeds 3%.

7.1.7 Retesting Requirements

A heat that fails the acceptance criteria above may be retested as follows:
a) The plate that failed the test shall be rejected. However, two
additional plates may be selected at random from the same heat for
further testing. If both of the retest groups pass, all plates in the
heat are acceptable except the one from which the initial test
samples were taken.
b) If one or both of the retest groups fail to meet the acceptance
criteria, the heat shall be rejected and materials specified in the
Purchase Order shall either be tested heat by heat or rejected
entirely at the discretion of the Fabricator.
c) Altering the stress relieving temperature for the retest shall be done
in accordance with paragraphs 7.1.3 and 7.1.4.

7.1.8 Additional testing shall be required if the steel-making procedure is

significantly altered during production.

Revision Summary
4 November 2013 Major revision.
25 December 2013 Editorial revision to ensure verification of the original Mill Test Certificate by VID to confirm
meeting 01-SAMSS-016 requirements.
In addition, changed committee name to Materials Engineering Standards Committee.

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Appendix A – Documentation Required for Bid Evaluation

This Appendix shall be highlighted and included in the purchase requisition (PR) intended for
first order of the new fabricator.

The bid package shall include the following items:

A.1 Documentation detailing that the proposed steel manufacturing process and
controls will result in a product resistant to hydrogen induced cracking.
Specific measures that will be taken to ensure HIC resistance will be stated.

A.2 Proposed chemical composition and range based on check analysis including Al,
B, C, Ca, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb, N, P, Si, S, Ti and V.

A.3 Documentation for HIC testing facility, including, but not limited to the
following:
 Description of the HIC testing setup/apparatus (schematic required) to be
used for qualifying the plates.

 Purity of the utilized salts and H2S for the test solution.

 Detailed procedure describing the testing, metallographic preparation and

evaluation of HIC specimens.

 Documentation confirming availability (with Steel mill /Fabricator) of HIC

Control Samples with demonstrated HIC-sensitivity, i.e., average CLR
exceeding 20% in Solution A.

 The Steel mill /Fabricator shall qualify his test method using HIC control
samples.

 If the Steel mill /Fabricator does not have a HIC testing facility acceptable to
Saudi Aramco or its representative, then he must provide documentation
supporting that testing shall be conducted by an independent 3rd Party
Laboratory meeting Saudi Aramco's approval.

A.4 Description of NDT equipment that will be used during plate inspection.

A.5 A current clients list for HIC-resistant products.

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Appendix B – Test Procedure for Evaluating

HIC in H2S Saturated Solution A

For the purpose of this specification, the test method used for determining the HIC
susceptibility of steels shall be Solution A, as described in NACE TM0284, except as modified
in this Appendix. The testing shall be performed using the apparatus given in Figure 3 of this
specification, using glass vessels or other inert materials. All test batches shall include a
control sample with demonstrated HIC-sensitivity, i.e., average CLR exceeding 20%.
Additions, deletions, or modifications to NACE TM0284 are given below. The sections
referenced below are as those given in NACE TM0284 .

Section 1 - General

Modify (1.2) The test method consists of exposing unstressed test specimens to a
standard test solution – Solution A, sodium chloride (NaCl), acetic acid
(CH3COOH) solution saturated with H2S at ambient temperature and
pressure.

Modify (1.4) Acceptance criteria are as given in paragraph 7.1.6 of this specification.

Section 2 - Reagents

Modify (2.1) The reagents for Solution A shall be nitrogen gas for purging, H2S gas,
NaCl, CH3COOH and distilled or deionized water. The used nitrogen shall
be minimum industrial grade, 99.5% pure.

Caution: H2S is extremely toxic and must be handled with extreme care
(see Appendix A of NACE TM0284).

Modify (2.3) The gases shall be reagent grade or chemically pure. The purity of the
H2S gas shall be certified to be 99.5% minimum. H2S gas generated from
chemical reactions, e.g., Kipps apparatus, is not acceptable as a source of
H2S gas.

Delete Paragraph 2.4

Section 5 - Test Specimens –Plate

Modify (B.5.2.1) One set of three samples is required as per paragraph 7.1.1 in this
specification.

Section 9 - Evaluation of Test Specimens

Modify (Paragraph 9.4) Substitute Figure 11 with Figure 2 of this Specification

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Add Paragraph 9.4

For each specimen containing cracks, a photograph shall be taken of the

complete cross-section at a magnification no less than 5X. Higher
magnifications shall be used as necessary to resolve fine cracks.

The defects listed below shall be disregarded.

a) Features such as inclusions that cannot be definitely identified as cracks.
b) Isolated, definitely identifiable cracks shorter than 0.1 mm in length.
c) Blisters and their associated cracking which at no point extend more
than 1mm from the inner and outer surfaces of the test specimen. If
any part extends more than 1 mm from the surfaces, the entire
blister/crack system shall be counted.
d) Isolated longitudinal cracks (i.e., cracks having a thickness less than or
equal to 0.1 mm) having no part more than 1.0 mm from the inner and
outer surfaces of the test specimen. If the cracks are located partly
within 1.0 mm from the surface and partly deeper than 1.0 mm into the
specimen, the entire crack shall be counted.

Modify (Paragraph 9.5) Delete all references to Crack Sensitivity Ratio (CSR)

Section 10 - Reporting of Test Results

The CLR results of the control sample shall be reported.

Delete All paragraphs in Section 10. Replace with the requirements given below.

Add Data to be provided

(10.1) Location, orientation and dimensions of samples.

(10.2) pH of H2S saturated solution at the start and end of the test.

(10.3) Chemical composition of material tested, including Al, B, C, Ca, Cr,

Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb, N, P, Si, S, Ti and V.

(10.4) Results of cracking evaluation.

(10.5) Photomicrographs of metallographically-polished (1 micron finish)

specimens of typical parent material microstructures on a plane with
the same orientation as that used for cracking evaluation:
i) (Unetched) The types of inclusions in the steel

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

ii) (Etched) Parent material microstructure

The magnification shall be sufficient to clearly show the details

being photographed. Normally, a range of 100X to 500X shall
be used.

No need for photomicrographs if there is no HIC indications.

(10.6) The Vickers Hardness method shall be performed using a maximum

test load of 5 or 10 kg. Measurements shall be carried out on
metallographically-polished (1 micron finish) specimens and the
average hardness shall not exceed 250 HV.

(10.7) Cracks are evaluated according to crack length ratio (CLR) and crack
thickness ratio (CTR) by measuring the total crack length and extent
of stepwise cracking respectively.

(10.8) Heat treatment parameters (i.e., temperature, soaking time, cooling

media and cooling rate … etc.)

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Plates for Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Length of stepwise crack: a i Thickness of stepwise crack: b i

n n

 ai b i
CLR  i 1
 100% CTR  i 1
 100% 
W T

A and B considered as two separate cracks

A and B considered as a single crack

Figure 2 – Method for Measuring and Evaluating Cracks

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Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 25 December 2013 Qualification of Storage Tanks and Pressured
Next Planned Update: 4 November 2018 Equipment for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Legends Descriptio
: n
Control
Valve

3-Way Control
Valve

Pressure Gauge

N2 Gas Cylinder H2S Gas Cylinder

Schematic Not to Scale

N2 H 2S N2/H2S

Purging Line
Solution A

N2

Temp. Test
25 ± 3 °C Specimen
s

Flow Meter Solution A Glass supports

Perforated plexi glass Trap 10 - 20% NaOH
0 - 2000 cc/min
Support Sintered Disc
disc
Test Solution

Note: The test vessel should be placed in a temperature-controlled bath at 25 ±3°C

Figure 3 – HIC Testing Apparatus Schematic

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