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ML00073 - Jun.2018

Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener

One side of the broken socket head screw, presenting secondary cracks in thread fillets adjacent to the position where the nut was tightened.

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One side of the broken socket head screw, presenting in thread fillets adjacent to the position where the was tightened.
M

Material

Low Alloy Medium Carbon QT
  • ISO 898-1 class 12.9
Ds

Description

that were in service in a non-resident equipment for one year, in conditions, were inspected and presented and associated to the thread fillets. The high strength bolting material failed by , assisted by the generated in . It is important to mention that it is not recommended to adopt bolting materials of 12.9 strength level in submarine environment due to its high susceptibility for .

C

Chemistry (% in weight)

Product analysis

0.38C; 0.21Si; 0.66Mn; 0.012P; 0.014S; 0.90Cr; 0.03Ni; 0.14Mo.

Associated Images
Multiple intergranular cracks transverse to the bolt axis. Hydrogen assisted cracking due to cathodic protection of a high strenght steel. Micrography in the "as polished" condition.
472
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Micrography by OMDf - Intergranular Cracking
Aspect of the fastener fracture, flat, at a thread fillet.
69
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Aspect Before AnalysisDf - General View
One side of the broken socket head screw, presenting secondary cracks in thread fillets adjacent to the position where the nut was tightened.
64
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Aspect Before AnalysisDf - General View
Tempered martensitic structure of a longitudinal section of the fastener. Slightly banded material. Hardness level about 42 HRc.
59
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Martensite
Micrography of a longitudinal section of the fastener, at the threat fillet, showing a transverse cracking.
68
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Cracking
Micrography of the secondary crack, in the fillet adjacent to the nut position, where it was opened to the surface.
65
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Cracking
Micrographic detail of the secondary crack, in the fillet adjacent to the nut position, where it was opened to the surface.
46
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Cracking
Thin intergranular cracks in the center of the bolt thickness. Not continuous and not opened to the surface.
46
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Intergranular Cracking
Micrographic detail of the intergranular morphology of the internal hydrogen cracks.
44
VIEW
ML00073 / Jun.2018
Hydrogen Cracking of a LAS Subsea Fastener
M - Low Alloy Medium Carbon QTP - FastenerAp - SubseaCd - Hydrogen Embrittlement
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Intergranular Cracking