Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication

in API B L1 Plates

■ Background
̶ On March 12, PT DSAW inform that they have found linear indication in materials from 4 slab numbers through magnetic
testing.
̶ Materials information:
Spec. Charge No. Slab No. Slab dimension Plate No Plate dimension
SK45479 SK45479 511 PK48303601~03
SK45480 531 PK48301201~03
API-B-L1 SK45480 230 x 2300 x 3220 12.7 x 3327 x 12050
SK45480 541 PK48301301~03
SK45484 SK45484 521 PK48307901~03

■ Phenomena Explanation
̶ Magnetic test was conducted by DSAW on 1 plate, PK482965-02, to check the material during KP’s visit on 15/04/2019
̶ Magnetic test shows that there are linear indication on the edge of plate.
̶ The lines found on the longitudinal edges.

̶ To check whether this is a harmful issue or not, KP decided to conduct several tests. A sample from PK482965-02 were taken
for this purpose.

1/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
* What is Lamination?
Based on API 5L is “internal metal separation that creates layers, generally parallel to the pipe surface.”
The sources of this defect are inherent discontinuities present in metal.
The detail explanation of API UT 21 stated that the layer formed when gas entrapped and flattened during manufacturing.
 This lamination sometimes could be confused with “dark line” where there is no discontinuity

* What is Dark Line ?

When the center of thickness is enlarged with an optical microscope, there will be dark area seen.
This is a subtle composition difference that will have difference light reflection. Thus, it may look darker after etching

Dark Line

Chemical content

Thickness Location
linear analysis 1/2T

When we analyze linear indication (red line) using SEM-EDX . In ½ of the thickness part the composition is relatively rather
higher compared to the surrounding area,
[Example] Since the carbon content of the tested sample is 0.17% , the result in the half-thickness has 0.174%. Hence, the
difference is 0.004% which is still within tolerance of standard
If it’s tested using MT, It can cause misunderstandings like cracks.

2/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
* Mechanism
Tundish The left figure is a picture summarizing the principle of making a
slab from the Tundish through Nozzle to Mold
Mold
At this time, the water cooling is used to solidify the molten steel
starts from outside to inside

Due to limited solubility of chemical component in solid steel,

some chemical component will be pushed to the middle
thickness area.
COOLING
Hence, center thickness has subtly higher chemical component
compared with outside
Soft reduction  this phenomenon is called segregation, which is normal

*This phenomena is also occurs during welding due to

solidification from outside to inside.
This is not a weld defect, but rather a general
phenomenon

We can do several test to determine whether lamination or dark line is occurred

3/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ UST Test Result
̶ In their order, DSAW requested UT guarantee with criteria of ASTM A435 in which KP has conducted with results: passed.
(See Attachment for UST photos of 12 plates from the issued slabs )
̶ To ensure the result, PT KP take the sample plate from PT DSAW and conduct the UT test.
̶ UT Test Details ( Couplant: Water / Wave length: 47db)
• UT criteria: ASTM A435 (clause 7.1 discontinuity over 1 ½ of
plate thickness is unacceptable)
※UT device is calibrated prior to testing using standard block
and test material to match 75% back reflection as ASTM criteria

a. Position 1 b. Position 2

 Based on UST A435 there is no discontinuity found on sample

<UST checking in DSAW yard>

We have checked the material which is has indication
in DSAW yard on Tuesday, April 16th
* Standard : ASTM A435
 No indication of discontinuity

4/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Magnetic Test Result
̶ DSAW has done MT in their yard on Monday, April 15th and found linier indication, hence we cut the indication area as sample
̶ We do magnetic test along the suspected lamination edge sample
̶ Magnetic test is done by fluorescent magnetic spray and observed under blue light.
MT in DSAW Yard
Before magnetic spray After magnetic spray

Under blue light checking

 Even we saw linear indication in DSAW yard, after we check in PT KP there is no indication found

Note(Example for defected Plate):

If defect is detected, the fluorescent magnet will highlight the defect in
bright yellow color.

5/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Actually linier line is not a defect, but why it looks like a crack when MT (magnetic particle test) in DSAW?
This is because the MT equipment, YOKE contact, was performed abnormally.

When YOKE contact is made vertically and close, It will make magnetic field excessively generated.
Hence it will make concentration of magnetic particle on the center thickness (dark line part), making the ultra-dark line look like a
crack.
Yoke contact position normal Yoke contact location abnormal

Line not visible Line visible

No magnetic flux Accumulation of magnetic particle in center

N
N

 Why the result is different between DSAW and PT KP in MT? because MT procedure should be as applicable standard

6/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Magnetic Particle Method for Yoke spacing

7/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Penetrant Test Result
̶ Penetrant test is done on the sample to check whether there is any harmful defect on the suspected area.
̶ The test is done alongside the edge with suspected defect
̶ Steps of penetrant test and its result are as picture below:
a. Prepared sample

b. Application of penetrant on sample

c. Result of penetrant test

 No indication of defect on the suspected area

8/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Microstructure Test Result
̶ Specimen for microstructure checking is taken and prepared as photos below:

In the specimen mounted in the mold,

Checking direction we can see the dark line in the middle

x200 x400

 From the microstructure photos we could see darker areas forming lines, however, structurally there is no difference
between the darker area and its surrounding.
 There is no indication of crack or any kind of defect in the material even using X400 magnification.

9/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates

■ Z-Tensile Test Result

̶ To check linear indication, we have conduct through thickness tensile test

※ This test is done to see whether there is any discontinuity within the full thickness of material. However, this API B L1
does not have any z-tensile requirements (thus not a guarantee item) and the result shall not be used for other purposes
outside of this lamination issue.

Sample Reduction ratio result

1 33%

2 15%

If there are discontinuity in the middle thickness, the reduction ratio result will be much lower
 Based on Z-Tensile Test Result, the center part is normal (no discontinuity)

10/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Z-Tensile Test Result(In PT.PTS)

Based on witness test in Third party lab in Batam.

The fracture surface shows ductile failure (not brittle),
which shows there is no abnormality in through-thickness
direction

*If there are discontinuity in the middle thickness, the

reduction ratio result will be much lower

11/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates
■ Bending Test Result(In PT.PTS)

Weld Area

Base Metal

Based on witness test in Third party lab in Batam. There are

no crack occurred after side bending test in both base
metal and weld area

*side bend test is more severe compare to pipe making

process

12/13
Investigation of PT DSAW Lamination Indication
in API B L1 Plates

■ Conclusion
̶ The suspected linear indication area has passed UST A435, Penetrant Test, Magnetic Test, Microstructure, Z Tensile Test and
Bend test in weld & base metal  Cannot be considered as lamination defect.
* The “line” which was found by DSAW is “Dark Line” phenomena, which is normal in steel plate made by continuous casting
** If the “Dark Line” is "defective“, during Z-Tensile or Bending test, there could be lamellar tearing occurred

 Additional Discussion: Weld Metal and HAZ Defect

There was an information from DSAW regarding defected weld metal and HAZ area:
̶ Please kindly inform us what kind of defects which was occurred in those area
̶ Please kindly inform us the detail Welding Procedure Specification at your site
̶ Could we please get an actual sample of defected weld metal and HAZ?

Based on those information, we could discuss with our POSCO expert researcher to help us finding the reason why those
defect could occurred and how to prevent it’s reoccurrence

13/13
Attachment (UT Result Image)

PK48307901 PK48307902

PK48307903 PK48301201
Attachment (UT Result Image)

PK48301202 PK48301203

PK48301301 PK48301302
Attachment (UT Result Image)
PK48301303 PK48303601

PK48303602 PK48303603