Mercury liquid metal embrittlement of alloys for oil and gas production and processing Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Mercury is a natural component of certain hydrocarbon reservoirs, so exposure to liquid mercury can occur in oil and gas production and processing plants. This paper reports liquid metal embrittlement (LME) test results for a variety of common oilfield and processing plant alloys exposed to liquid Hg across a range of temperatures. Test methods used include slow strain rate testing and C-ring tests. A fracture mechanics approach to derive critical stress intensities for the onset of Hg LME is suggested. Test results are presented for ASTM A516 Gr 70 carbon steel, ASTM A193 Gr B7 low alloy steel, AISI type 317 stainless steel, AISI type 410 stainless steel, Types 2205 and 2507 duplex stainless steels, Gr 2, Gr 5 Titanium alloys, UNS N10276, UNS N04400 and UNS A95086. Anomalous results were obtained in slow strain rate testing of duplex stainless steels in Hg. The implications ofthese anomalous results are discussed. 2010 by NACE International.

published proceedings

  • NACE - International Corrosion Conference Series

author list (cited authors)

  • Case, R., & McIntyre, D. R.

complete list of authors

  • Case, R||McIntyre, DR

publication date

  • January 2010