TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

DUPLEX AND SUPER DUPLEX STAINLESS STEEL

FITTINGS
(AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A 815)

MESC SPE 76/203

January 2015

MESC SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

This document is restricted. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of Shell Global
Solutions International B.V., The Netherlands. The copyright of this document is vested in this company. All rights reserved. Neither the whole nor any part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 2

PREFACE

MESC (Materials and Equipment Standards and Code) SPE documents reflect the views, at the time of publication, of:
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Shell GSI)
and/or
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. (SIEP)
and/or
other Shell Service Companies.
They are based on the experience acquired during their involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities, and they are supplemented with the experience of Shell Operating Units.
Where appropriate they are based on, or reference is made to, international, regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the recommended standard for good design and engineering practice applied by Shell companies
operating an oil refinery, gas handling installation, chemical plant, oil and gas production facility, or any other such
facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where MESC SPEs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition
at each locality. The system of MESC SPEs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to
adapt the information set forth in MESC SPEs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use MESC SPEs they shall be solely responsible for the quality of work
and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow those practices, which will achieve the same level of
integrity as reflected in the MESC SPEs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting
from his own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.
The right to use MESC SPEs is granted by Shell GSI, in most cases under Service Agreements primarily with Shell
companies and other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Service
Company. Consequently, three categories of users of MESC SPEs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or other Shell Service Company. The use of MESC
SPEs by these Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service
Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorized to use MESC SPEs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether
as part of a Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)
which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI
disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or
person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any MESC SPE,
combination of MESC SPEs or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell
GSI or other Shell Service Company. The benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any
Shell Service Company, or companies affiliated to these companies, that may issue MESC SPEs or require the use of
MESC SPEs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, MESC
SPEs shall not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person
whomsoever and the MESC SPEs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the
user. They shall be returned after use, including any copies, which shall only be made by users with the express prior
written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of MESC SPEs vests in Shell GSI. Users shall arrange for MESC SPEs to
be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how
users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the MESC SPE Administrator in Shell GSI.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ......... 4
1.3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 4
1.4 ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................... 4
1.5 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION ................................................................... 4
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE ............................................................................ 5
PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A 815/A815M-14 ................................. 6
PART III REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 12
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 4

PART I INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This MESC SPE specifies requirements for duplex and superduplex (ferritic/austenitic)
stainless steel fittings.
This specification shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Description,
purchase order or requisition sheet.
This specification only applies to duplex and superduplex stainless steel fittings to ASTM A
815 of Class WP-S or WP-WX.
This specification is written as amendments and supplements to ASTM A 815/A815M-14,
which are covered in Part II of this MESC SPE. The clause numbering of ASTM A
815/A815M-14 has been retained and any amendments are identified as ‘Add’, ‘Modify to
read’ or ‘Delete’. Any clauses of ASTM A 815/A815M-14 that are not amended or
supplemented by this MESC SPE, shall apply as written.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this MESC SPE is confined to
Shell companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers
nominated by them.
This MESC SPE is intended for use in oil refineries, chemical plants, gas plants, exploration
and production facilities and, where applicable, supply/distribution installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this MESC SPE the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of
the requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all cases
the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this
MESC SPE which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or
local regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the
objective being to obtain agreement to follow this MESC SPE as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.4 ABBREVIATIONS
PREN Pitting Resistance Equivalent

1.5 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

The previous edition of this MESC SPE was dated February 2014. The change is to
update ASTM A815 version, to add allowances for impact testing and to correct
sequence numbers.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 5

1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Comments on this MESC SPE may be sent to the MESC SPE Administrator at
MESC@shell.com. Shell staff may also post comments on this MESC SPE on the Surface
Global Network (SGN) under the Standards folder.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 6

PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A 815/A815M-14

4.1 Add:
For “22Cr” duplex (ferritic/austenitic) stainless steels, the Pitting Resistance
Equivalent (PREN) shall be 34 or higher, the Mo mass fraction (wMo) 1.5% or higher
and the N fraction (wN) 0.14% or higher.
For “25Cr” super duplex (ferritic/austenitic) stainless steels, the Pitting Resistance
Equivalent (PREN) shall higher than 40 and the N fraction (wN) 0.20% or higher.
The PREN shall be calculated as given in Equation (1):
PREN = wCr + 3.3(wMo + 0.5wW) + 16wN (1)
where
• wCr is the mass fraction of chromium in the alloy, expressed as a percentage
mass fraction of the total composition;
• wMo is the mass fraction of molybdenum in the alloy, expressed as a
percentage mass fraction of the total composition;
• wW is the mass fraction of tungsten in the alloy, expressed as a percentage
mass fraction of the total composition;
• wN is the mass fraction of nitrogen in the alloy, expressed as a percentage
mass fraction of the total composition.
4.4 Add Fittings shall not be made using isostatic pressing or powder metallurgy, unless
approved by the Principal.
5.5 Replace:
The radiography of welds of this class of fittings can be done either prior or after
forming at the option of the manufacturer.
By:
The radiography of welds of this class of fittings shall be done after forming. All
welds shall be made with the addition of filler metal.
5.13.2 Replace by:
Final heat treatment shall be performed after forming, welding and before
machining.
5.16 Add Manufacturer shall be qualified according to NORSOK M-650 or through the
TAMAP audit process. NORSOK certification (if applicable) shall be submitted as
part of documentation.
5.17 Add Tees shall be manufactured by forging or forming in one piece. If seam welded pipe
is used as the parent material the longitudinal weld shall be located in the body
opposite the tee branch.
Bars in barred tees shall be attached using multipass full penetration butt welds.
6.1 Replace by:
Heat treatment shall be performed after forming, welding and before machining, and
shall be in accordance with requirements of Table 2. The fittings shall be in solution
annealed condition and quenched by rapid cooling in water.
6.1.1 Delete
6.1.2 Delete
6.2 Delete
6.3 Add Induction heating is not allowed.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 7

7.1 Add Replace by:

Product analysis shall be performed on the parent metal for each heat. Also product
analysis shall be performed on the weld metal of a representative sample from one
fitting, for each ten fittings from each lot. A ‘lot’ is defined as a group of fittings with
the same dimensions, from the same production and heat treatment batch.
The chemical composition and PREN requirements in section 4.1 shall be met.

7.2 Replace by:

In fittings of welded construction, the chemical composition of the weld metal and
the related PREN shall confirm to section 4.1. The PREN shall match or be higher
than that of the base metal.
7.2.1 Delete
7.2.2 Delete
7.2.3 Delete

8.2 Replace by:

Mechanical tests shall be performed on material after final heat treatment. Samples
for testing shall be taken from one of the following:
a. Random selection of a component of the same type and form, and
from the same heat and heat treatment batch;
b. Prolongation of a component;
c. An integral test coupon that is representative of the size and shape
of the component.
All tests shall be performed in an ISO/IEC/17025 accredited laboratory.
Tensile tests shall be performed in accordance with ASTM A 370. Room
temperature testing at the base material shall be carried out in the transverse
direction on flattened plate type specimens and in longitudinal direction on plate
type specimens without flattening.
Cross-weld tensile tests shall be carried out on the seam weld on full wall thickness
specimens at room temperature.
Test frequency shall be one duplicate test for both test directions on one fitting
representing each lot (lot defined as per section 7.1). Testing shall be carried out on
finished fittings. Test specimens shall be full wall thickness or be taken from mid
wall.
9.1 Add:
For welded fittings, the hardness of the heat affected zone shall be within the
hardness limits of the base material.
9.2 Add A sample representing maximum wall thickness of the fitting shall be tested for each
lot (lot defined in section 7.1). Series of Rockwell C hardness measurements shall
be performed in accordance with ASTM E 18. Triplicate hardness readings shall be
taken near the inner surface, at mid section and near the outer surface.
If welds are present, additional rows of Vickers HV10 hardness indentations test
shall be made in accordance with ISO 9015-1 on one full transverse thickness
sample from the weldments on one fitting from each lot. Rows of hardness
indentations shall be made in accordance with Figure 1 of ISO 9015-1, and at mid
wall thickness in case the wall thickness is  6.5 mm (0.26 in). Individual hardness
values shall not exceed the equivalent HV10 value of the criterion for the base
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 8

material.
Hardness measurements shall be carried out after final heat treatment .

nd
12.1.1 Modify 2 sentence to read:
Repair welding may only be performed if approved by the Principal.
12.2 Replace by:
Fittings shall be supplied white pickled (de-scaled and acid cleaned). The surface of
all finished fittings shall be completely free of debris, dirt, weld splatter etc.
12.3 Add In case imperfections are removed by grinding, liquid penetrant examination in
accordance with ASTM E 165 shall be performed to verify that all imperfections
have been removed.
16 Add:
The manufacturer shall submit to the Principal the additional documentation listed
below, signed and stamped by the manufacturer's quality control department,
verifying that the components comply with the requirements of this MESC
specification.
a. Material certificates for the test material complying with ISO 10474, including
all mechanical, metallurgical and corrosion results required
b. Dimensional control reports
c. Non-destructive testing reports
This documentation shall be provided prior to formal release of the fittings.
16.1.7 Replace by:
Heat treatment certificate
17.3 Add All marking shall be carried out using low-stress die-stamping, electronic etching or
by the vibro-etching method. The maximum depth shall be 0.5 mm (0.02 in) and the
minimum height 8 mm (0.3 in).
19 Add Impact testing
- Charpy impact tests shall be carried out in accordance with ASTM A 370 at a
temperature of –50 °C (–58 °F).
- A set of three transverse Charpy test pieces shall be taken from the base
material from one fitting representing each lot (lot as defined in section 7.1). If
fitting dimensions preclude the use of transverse specimens subject to
prior agreement with the Principal, testing may be done in the longitudinal
direction only. Test pieces shall be located at the mid thickness.
- If the wall thickness exceeds 25 mm (0.98 in), additional sets of three Charpy
test pieces shall be taken 3 mm (0.12 in) from the internal surface and as close
as possible to the outside surface of the fitting.
- For welded fittings, a set of test pieces shall be taken from the seam weld at the
centre line, at the fusion line (FL) and at FL + 5 mm, all in the transverse
direction. If the wall thickness exceeds 25 mm (0.98 in), sets of three Charpy
test pieces shall be taken from similar locations as discussed above, but within
3 mm (0.12 in) of the inner as well as the outside surface of the fitting.
- The notch of all Charpy pieces shall be perpendicular to the fitting surface.
- Sub-size samples can only be applied, if standard 10 mm x 10 mm (0.39 in x
0.39 in) samples are not possible. Longitudinal samples can only be applied, if
transverse samples are not possible.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 9

- The acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with Table 4.

- If the thickness is below 6.5 mm (0.26 in), Charpy impact testing is not possible.
The Principal may require additional microstructural checks.

Table 4 Add Table 4 – Acceptance criteria for Charpy impact testing

Sample size Test direction Minimum Minimum Minimum
mm (in) average single impact single shear
impact value value area
10 x 10 60 J* 45 J
Transverse 50 %
(0.39 x 0.39) (44 ft.lbs) (33 ft.lbs)
10 x 10 90 J 67 J
Longitudinal 50 %
(0.39 x 0.39) (66 ft.lbs) (50 ft.lbs)
10 x 7.5 48 J 36 J
Transverse 50 %
(0.39 x 0.30 (36 ft.lbs) (26 ft.lbs)
10 x 7.5 72 J 54 J
Longitudinal 50 %
(0.39 x 0.30) (53 ft.lbs) (40 ft.lbs)
10 x 5 30 J 24 J
Transverse 50 %
(0.39 x 0.20) (22 ft.lbs) (18 ft.lbs)
10 x 5 46 J 36 J
Longitudinal 50 %
(0.39 x 0.20) (34 ft.lbs) (26 ft.lbs)

20 Add Examination
- The entire length of welds shall be examined by radiography in accordance with
paragraph UW-51 of ASME VIII, Division 1.
- Welded fittings with wall tickness > 30 mm (1.18 in) shall also be 100 %
ultrasonically examined in accordance with UW-53 of ASME VIII, Division 1.
- Fittings made from plate and fittings with a butt-welding end, which have a wall
thickness > 20 mm (0.79 in), shall have the bevel and the weld-end preparation
examined by the liquid penetrant method over a width of 25 mm (0.98 in). The
liquid penetrant method shall be carried out in accordance with ASTM E 165.
The acceptance criterion is that there shall be no linear indications longer than
1.6 mm (0.063 in).
- Two fittings per heat shall be sampled for phase balance measurements. The
measurement technique shall be in accordance with ASTM E 562, by point
counting made on a section of the fitting. The ferrite content of the base metal
shall be between 40 % and 60 %. The ferrite content of the weld metal and the
heat affected zone shall be between 30 % and 60 %.
21 Add Corrosion Testing
Fittings shall be capable of meeting the requirements of pitting and, if specified,
stress corrosion cracking tests.
21.1 Add Pitting Corrosion
The material shall be capable of passing the ferric chloride test in accordance with
ASTM G 48, Method A, with the following amendments. This corrosion test shall be
performed for product qualification only.
Testing shall be carried out on specimens from each lot (lot defined in section 7.1).
including the internal fitting surface and, if applicable, on the weldments. For
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 10

weldments, the specimens shall contain the internal surface, the weld root and the
Heat Affected Zone.
- The exposure time shall be 24 hours.
- The test temperature for “22Cr” duplex (ferritic-austenitic) stainless steel shall
be 25 °C (77 °F) for parent metal and 22 °C (72 °F) for welds.
The test temperature for “25Cr” superduplex (ferritic-austenitic) stainless steel
shall be 40 °C (104 °F) for parent metal and 35 °C (95 °F) for welds.
- The temperature variation shall not exceed ± 0.5 °C (0.9 °F).
- The surface finish of the test face shall be ‘as-produced’. Cut faces shall be
ground to 1200 grit.
- The evaluation of results shall be via weight loss measurement and
macroscopic investigation of the surface. Macrographs obtained by low
magnification microscopy shall be provided.
2
The acceptance criteria shall be a weight loss < 4.0 g/m (0.013 oz/ft²) and no
initiation of localized corrosion > 0.025 mm (1 mil) at the test face. Note that only
2
corrosion (e.g. pitting) at the test face counts. If the weight loss is > 4.0 g/m (0.013
oz/ft²)and it can be positively identified that this is only due to corrosion at the cut
faces, the test will be invalid. In this case re-testing shall be carried out on
replacement specimens.
21.2 Add Stress Corrosion Cracking
If specified by the Principal, stress corrosion cracking tests in accordance with
ASTM G 38, ASTM G 39 or ISO 15156-3 shall be carried out. Specimens shall be
prepared such that the inner surface of the fitting will be loaded at proof stress and
exposed to the test environment in the as-produced condition. The dimensions of
the specimen, test environment and conditions shall be based on agreement
between the Manufacturer and the Principal.
This test is a production qualification test only.
22 Add Microstructure test
Fittings shall be subjected to microstructure analysis. Microstructure shall be
assessed and reported by a competent metallurgist in an ISO/IEC/17025 accredited
laboratory.
22.1 Add Ferrite content

The microstructure and percentage of ferrite phase shall be determined via point
counting in accordance with ASTM E 562 on one test piece from one fitting
representing each lot (lot defined in section 7.1).
For welded fitting, a full cross-section of the weld shall be examined as well. Here,
the ferrite content shall be measured 1 mm (0.04 in) from both the internal and
external surfaces of the parent material, the weld metal and the parent material
within 0.2 mm (0.008 in) of the fusion line (FL).
The ferrite content shall be in the range of 40 % - 60 % for the parent material and
Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) and in the range of 35 % - 65 % for the weld metal.
22.2 Add Detrimental phases
The microstructure shall be examined for detrimental phases in accordance with
ASTM A 923 Method A on one test piece from one fitting representing each lot (lot
defined in section 7.1). For welded fitting, a full cross-sections of the weld shall be
examined as well. The etching method shall be suitable to reveal intermetallic
phases (such as sigma phase) and precipitates (such as nitrides).
The microscructure shall classify as “unaffected structure” as per section 6 of ASTM
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 11

A 923. The microstructure shall display a uniform ferrite and austenite phase
distribution and shall have no continuous precipitates at the grain boundaries. In
addition, the sigma phase content shall not exceed 0.5 %, while the total of
intermetallic phases shall not exceed 1.0 %. If these criteria are not met, the fitting
shall be rejected and each fitting of the lot investigated.
Microstructures classified as ‘possibly affected’, shall be subject to further
assessment as follows:
d. The microstructure shall be considered acceptable if it displays
freedom from significant inter-metallic phases or third phase
precipitates (including sigma phase and nitrides).
e. If inter-metallic phases or third phase precipitates are visible at
magnification not less than x400, they shall be considered not
significant if all of the following apply:
 less than 1 % (maximum 0.5% inter-metallics) volume
2 2
fraction based on an area of 1 mm (0.002 in )
 not linked or continuous at the grain boundaries
f. The maximum volume fraction of inter-metallic phases and third
phase precipitates shall be 1 % (maximum 0.5% inter-metallics).
Photo-micrographs shall be prepared for each of the samples examined.
Micrographs shall be reported at the magnifications used for the assessments.
Originals or good quality copies shall be included in the material certificates.
Inclusion of micrographs that are not legible shall result in the material being
rejected.
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 12

PART III REFERENCES

In this MESC SPE, reference is made to the following publications:

NOTES:
1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. Most of the referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell Wide Web) at
http://sww05.europe.shell.com/standards.

SHELL STANDARDS
Fittings, duplex stainl. stl, astm a815 MESC SPE 76/006:2005
Fittings to ASME B16.9 MESC SPE 76/110
AMERICAN STANDARDS
Factory-Made Wrought Buttwelding Fittings ASME B16.9
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code – Rules for ASME VIII
construction of pressure vessels
Issued by:
American Society of Mechnical Engineers
ASME International
Three Park Avenue, M/S 10E
New York, NY 10016, USA

Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical ASTM A 370

Testing of Steel Products
Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded
ASTM A 790
Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe

Standard Specification for Wrought Ferritic,

Ferritic/Austenitic, and Martensitic Stainless Steel Piping ASTM A 815:14
Fittings
Standard Test Methods for Detecting Detrimental ASTM A 923
Intermetallic Phase in Duplex Austenitic/Ferritic Stainless
Steels
Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness and ASTM E 18
Rockwell Superficial Hardness of Metallic Materials
Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination ASTM E 165
Standard Test Method for Determining Volume Fraction ASTM E 562
by Systematic Manual Point Count
Standard Practice for Making and Using C-Ring Stress- ASTM G 38
Corrosion Test Specimens
Standard Practice for Preparation and Use of Bent-Beam ASTM G 39
Stress-Corrosion Test Specimens
Standard Test Methods for Pitting and Crevice Corrosion ASTM G 48
Resistance of Stainless Steels and Related Alloys by Use
of Ferric Chloride Solution
Issued by:
American Society for Testing and Materials
100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken
PA 19428-2959
USA
 MESC SPE 76/203
January 2015
Page 13

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — ISO 9015-1
Hardness testing — Part 1: Hardness test on arc welded
joints
Petroleum and natural gas industries — Materials for use ISO 15156-3
in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production
— Part 3: Cracking-resistant CRAs (corrosion-resistant
alloys) and other alloys - Second Edition
Issued by:
ISO Central Secretariat
1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse
Case postale 56
CH-1211 Genève 20
Switzerland
Copies can also be obtained from national standards
organizations.