Materials System Specification

Materials System Specification
01-SAMSS-016 21 April 2020

Qualification of Plates for Pressured Equipment and
Storage Tanks for Resistance to Hydrogen-induced Cracking
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee
Contents
Summary of Changes .............................................. 2

1 Scope ................................................................. 3
2 Conflicts and Deviations ..................................... 3
3 References ......................................................... 4
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
Document History .................................................. 14
Previous Revision: 5 November 2018 Next Revision: 5 November 2023

Contact: MUAILISM Page 1 of 14
©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Publish Date: 21 April 2020 Qualification of Plates for Pressured Equipment and
Next Revision: 5 November 2023 Storage Tanks for Resistance to Hydrogen-induced Cracking
Summary of Changes (rev 5 November,2018)
No. Paragraph No. Change Type Technical Change

1 General Modification Modified title.
2 General Modification Changed the word HIC sensitivity to susceptibility.
Modification/ Rearranged the scope and added commentary note related to piping
3 1.1
Addition components.
Added MTC requirement for both plates procured from stockiest and
4 1.2.4 Addition
directly from the mill.
Added references for fittings from plates, hot tap fittings, scraper
Addition/
5 Section 3.1 traps, and pressure retaining instruments.
Modification
Updated version date of NACE TM0284 to 2016.
6 Section 4 Modification Rearranged the listed definitions.
Added commentary note to contact SA Buyer for the list of approved
7 Section 6 Addition
HIC testing labs.
Included that other methods other than gas cylinder are not
8 6.3 Modification
acceptable.
Added new requirement for the calibration of testing equipment and
9 6.5 Addition
flow meters.
Modified to indicate that testing of plates shall be done on the
10 7.1.1 Modification
thinnest and thickest plates from each heat.
11 7.1.3 Modification Replaced PWHT with full PWHT.
12 7.1.6.4 Modification Referenced the right Section 9 instead of 7C.
13 7.1.7.a Addition Added to report the root cause analysis in case of failure.
14 A.1 Modification Modified to include steel chemical composition.
15 A.2 Deletion Deleted.
16 A.2 Addition Replaced with calibration of testing equipment and flow meters.
17 Section 3 Addition Added clause to replace Figure 1 in NACE with Figure 3 in this spec.
18 (10.8) Modification Arranged requirements.
©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 14
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

1 Scope
This specification is supplementary to the latest edition of NACE TM0284 and covers the
following:
• 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
• Storage Tanks under the scopes of 32-SAMSS-005, 32-SAMSS-006, and
32-SAMSS-030
• Fittings made from plates under the scope of 02-SAMSS-005
• Hot tap and stopple fittings under the scope of 02-SAMSS-006
• Scraper Traps under 02-SAMSS-009
Note: Piping components (such as nozzle/manway necks, elbow, etc.) made from rolled and
welded plate used in the manufacture of pressured equipment and tanks and exposed to HIC
environments shall be manufactured from HIC resistant steels. Forged piping components do not
require HIC testing.
1.1 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 HIC resistant Plates intended for the manufacturing of equipment shall be procured from
an approved Saudi Aramco steel mill.
Note: Contact Saudi Aramco buyer for a list of approved steel mills for supplying HIC resistant
steel.
1.3 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.
1.4 Plates procured from stockiest shall be verified by HIC testing and meet the requirements
of this specification. The original Mill Test Certificate, of the plates procured from
stockiest or directly from the steel mill, shall be verified by VID to confirm meeting 01-
SAMSS-016 requirements.
1.5 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
Any conflict between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.

Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.
3 References
3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures
SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement
Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications
02-SAMSS-005 Butt Welding Pipe Fittings
02-SAMSS-006 Hot Tap and Stopple Fittings
02-SAMSS-009 Design and Fabrication of Scraper Traps
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
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
National Association of Corrosion Engineers
NACE TM0284-2016 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.
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).
Fabricator: Vessel/Equipment fabricator
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.
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.
Steel Mill: Company which manufactures the required steel plates.
Third Party Laboratory: An independent testing laboratory not affiliated with the
fabricator or steel mill.
5 Test Solution Requirements
Solution A of the current NACE TM0284 shall be used for qualifying the products listed
above in paragraph 1.1. The test procedure is detailed in Appendix B.
6 Quality Control Requirements
The laboratories shall be approved by CSD. The testing shall be done using approved
HIC testing labs.
Note: Contact Saudi Aramco Buyer for a list of approved HIC testing 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 Third Party Laboratory,
shall be used for all tests. These control samples shall have demonstrated HIC-cracking
susceptibility, 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 other
resources other than gas cylinder including 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).
6.5 Calibration of equipment and flow meters used in the testing and examination, with
validation certificates.
6.6 The HIC testing laboratory shall provide documentation supporting the adequate training
of technicians or engineers undertaking the evaluation of CLR and CTR measurements.
6.7 Should the HIC test results be rejected by Saudi Aramco, re-testing may be referred to an
independent third party laboratory acceptable to Saudi Aramco for resolution. This
laboratory shall use HIC test methods and control samples in accordance with this
specification.
6.8 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 Susceptibility and Non-destructive
Inspection.
7.1 HIC Susceptibility Testing

The following sections cover HIC susceptibility 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 done using an approved HIC testing lab.
• 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, the Steel
Mill shall qualify the thinnest and thickest plates as a minimum.

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 and thickest plates 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 full 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 full PWHT on the vessel will be conducted
subsequent to fabrication of equipment. 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
susceptibility.
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 9 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% is not acceptable.
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 and the root cause
of failure shall be reported by the manufacturer. 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.

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 chemical composition, 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 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.
• Calibration of equipment and flow meters used in the testing and examination,
with validation certificates.
• Documentation confirming availability (with Steel Mill /Fabricator) of HIC
Control Samples with demonstrated HIC-susceptibility, 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 Third Party
Laboratory meeting Saudi Aramco's approval.
A.3 Description of NDT equipment that will be used during plate inspection.
A.4 A current clients list for HIC-resistant products.

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-susceptibility, 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 B 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 3 – Testing Apparatus
Modify (3.1) Substitute Figure 1 in NACE document with Figure 3 of this
specification.
Section 5 - Test Specimens –Plates
Modify (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.
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 Susceptibility Ratio (CSR).
Section 10 - Reporting 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
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, heating/cooling
rates, cooling media, etc.).

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

Legend Descripti
s: on
Control
Valve
3-Way Control
Valve
Pressure
Gauge
N2 Gas H2S Gas
Cylinder Cylinder Schematic Not to
Scale
N2 H2S N2/H2S
Purging Line
Solution A
N2
Temp Test
.25 ± 3 Specime
°C ns
Flow Meter Solution A Glass

0 - 2000 cc/min Perforated plexi supports Tra 10 - 20% NaOH
glass
Support Sintered Disc
discSolution
Test
Note: The test vessel should be placed in a temperature-controlled bath at 25 ±3°C
Figure 3: HIC Testing Apparatus Schematic

Document History
21 April 2020 Editorial revision to remove reference and extend the next revision date as per the updated
SAEP-301.
5 November 2018 Major revision to align with latest edition of NACE TM0284.
1 January 2018 Editorial revision to modify and/or delete paragraphs Section 6 (1 st paragraph) and 7.1.1.
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.
4 November 2013 Major revision.


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Materials System Specification

01-SAMSS-016 21 April 2020

Summary of Changes .............................................. 2

Previous Revision: 5 November 2018 Next Revision: 5 November 2023

Summary of Changes (rev 5 November,2018)

No. Paragraph No. Change Type Technical Change

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Fabricator: Vessel/Equipment fabricator

Responsible Standardization Agent (RSA): The Responsible Standardization Agent

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

Steel Mill: Company which manufactures the required steel plates.

5 Test Solution Requirements

6 Quality Control Requirements

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

7.1 HIC Susceptibility Testing

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Figure 1: Plate Sampling Location Diagram

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Longitudinal cracking is acceptable as long as the calculated average CLR

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Appendix A – Documentation Required for Bid Evaluation

The bid package shall include the following items:

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 9 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Appendix B – Test Procedure for Evaluating HIC in H2S Saturated Solution A

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 10 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Section 10 - Reporting Test Results

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 11 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

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

A and B considered as two separate cracks

A and B considered as a single crack

Figure 2: Method for Measuring and Evaluating Cracks

©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved. Page 12 of 14

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Flow Meter Solution A Glass

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

Figure 3: HIC Testing Apparatus Schematic

Previous Revision: 5 November 2018 Next Revision: 5 November 2023

Previous Revision: 5 November 2018 Next Revision: 5 November 2023

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