mi ra E AQ (a) Report 1337-4-da-en - 2016* REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS - for purity of purging gas in pipes of stainless steel 3. Vagn Hansen April 2016* Oxidation level — Heat tint at the inside welding zone in pipes with gas purge (piclded and electropolished pipes) ‘This report replaces the previous publications: Report 1337-3-en— 2013 and Report 94.34 - Revised May 2006 "REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS - for purity of purging gas In stainless stee! tubes” (6) A list of corrections between this report and the previous is enclosed. ‘© FORCE Technology Division of Energy, Materials and Welding ‘Copenhagen 2016 ISBN Nr. 87-7784-130-1 Publication no. 1337-4-da-enInstructions for use of REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS BACKGROUND (1) Reaction between oxygen in air in the shielding gas and the heated stainless steel leads to oxidation. At temperatures above 200-300 °C, the oxide layer soon becomes so thick that it 's seen as discoloration or tinting of the surface. How soon oxidation occurs depends on metal temperature and oxygen concentration over the steel surface. (Oxide, which is generally chromium rich, may weaken the steel corrosion resistance in two ways: ‘At temperatures between approx. 300 and 700 °C in connection with welding, chromium-depleted layer with a thickness under approx. 1-2 um occurs under the oxide layer. ‘At high temperatures and/or high oxygen concentrations, chromium is burned off from the oxide layer’s surface. The oxide's surface is thus left consisting of a corrosion sensitive iron oxide, Corrosion resistance almost levelling a clean, pickled or electropolshed surface can only be ‘established if oxidation (heat tint, discoloration) is kept at a minimum. Alternatively, ‘Subsequent post weld treatment must be performed. This post weld treatment may be mechanical (grinding or sandblasting), chemical in the form of nitric acid-hydrofluoric acid pickling, an electrochemical treatment or a combination. Electropolished surfaces cannot be chemically treated after welding soley by pickling as this will increase roughness and thus remove the effect of polishing. Sufficient post weld treatment of heat tinted, electro- polished pines can only be done by a two-stage treatment consisting of pickling or fine grinding and further electropolishing. Requirements and specifications for welding aiming at minimal oxidation (optimal purging) will be described in the following. Requirements and specifications for post weld treatment may be prepared in cooperation with FORCE Technology. General guidelines may be found in the manual "Corrosion resistant stainless stee! - How?" (3) and in ‘Guideline 4304-1-en for internal visual Inspection of pipe systems with more stringent requirements’, FORCE Technology Publication, Procedures for post weld treatment are also described in ASTM A380 (5). ‘As oxidation is affected by temperature level, a time factor and available oxygen concentration, the extent of heat tint varies with welding parameters and thermal cycles plus, of course, with the gas purity over the steel surface. Longer and repeated heating cycles (as for multiple passes) therefore lead to a more distinct heat tint at equal oxygen concentration. In practice, stricter requirements must thus be stipulated for gas purity and urging procedure if, for instance, the time of cooling is increased due to higher heatsupply. It is therefore more precise to require a maximum allowable heat tint level (than to require a maximum oxygen concentration). ‘The available oxygen concentration depends on the purity of the purchased gas, but also of the tightness of the purging tool, actual capability of being completely purged, the gas flow {and groove geometry, and the purity and dryness of the steel surface. Furthermore, part of ‘the oxygen may be made inactive if the purging gas is hydrogen-bearing. However the hydrogen can only dissociate and react with oxygen at temperatures above 500-600 °C. Therefore, weld metal and HAZ are often not heat tinted at all, although the base metal in adjacent heated zones is distinctly tinted. In Reference Colour Charts, charts 2 and 4 ft can be seen that critical heat tint begins at higher oxygen concentrations compared to ‘Argon, see charts 1 and 3. ‘As to purging parameters, certain purging tools should be accompanied by directive Information on e.g. gas flow. These directions should form the basis of testing prior to laying down procedures in a specific project. A review of conditions for purging and guiding parameters may be found in a publication from FORCE Technology (2). Sufficiently sensitive oxygen measuring equipment should be applied in connection with development and control of purging procedures, ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA Definition of acceptance criteria is primarily based on whether post weld treatment may or must be performed, or whether weld joints (possibly only the weld joint’s root side) must have sufficient corrosion resistance without post weld treatment. Sufficient corrosion resistance cannot be distinctly defined, as the resistance in each ‘case depends on the actual corrosion environment and the actual type of alloy. As an ‘example, certain acidic media may lead to self-pickling. The most restrictive requirements, and also the requirements this direction primarily aims at, will apply to aqueous, chloride- containing environments. In case of doubt, FORCE Technology may be contacted. Tt should be noted that pickling also ensures that adjacent surfaces get optimal corraston resistance, ie. possible iron traces, weld spatter etc. are removed. If the work is based on performance of later treatment, the purging gas must only ensure the metting bath’s stability and wetting properties and facitate the following grinding or pickting. It wll then be sufficient to require oxidation or scaling less than level G (e.g. corresponding to 0.1 % (1000 ppm) 03), cf. Reference Colour Charts, chart 1. Without post weld treatment, flushing and purging gas pressure must ensure that the ‘oxygen concentration is so low that heat tint is hardly visible. A certain heat tint isacceptable if youare completely sure that the chosen steel alloy has @ much greater resistance than required for the actual application. However it should be noticed that for instance water from pressure testing, deviating operating conditions during start-up, or a later change of the environment of the systern may necessitate explottation of the steel's full resistance, To attain optimal corrosion properties within the limits of the chosen alloy will require that low-alloyed austenitic stainless steels as 18/8 and molybdenum-bearing grades, .9. EN. 1.4301/EN 1.4307 and EN 1.4401/1.4404, have no heat tint over level C = maximum grey to faint yellow (for instance corresponding to 25-50 ppm O2) in Argon, cf. Reference Colour Charts chart 1 and in Formier, cf. Reference Colour Charts chart 2 (where level C e.g. corresponds to approx. 50-100 ppm O,). ‘At present it is not fully documented for the high-alloyed austenitic steels, but available results and recommendations from independent materials specialists indicate that, in neutral media with chloride content critical to the relevant alloy, a criterion must be defined for heat tint corresponding to the lower-alloyed steels, Duplex stainless steel appears to be more sensitive to reduction of corrosion resistance when heat tinted. For very critical applications it is recommended to require maximum faint greyish heat tint corresponding to levels A-B. In existing welding standards, Argon is recommended as purging gas also for duplex stainless steel, but Formier gas is preferable if the welding procedure ensures a ferrite level below 65 %. If the steel has a CPT (critical pitting temperature) that is more than 20 °C over the actual maximum temperature in a given chloride solution, heat tint is acceptable if itis faint to markedly yellow, i.e. D or a little more distinct ~ but not blue. Electropolished pipes have higher resistance when supplied than pickled pipes. If this increased resistance is to be exploited, equal limits will apply for heat tint colours as stated for pickled austenitic pipes, i.e. not over level “B-C” (straw yellow), cf. Reference Colour Charts chart 3 for Argon and Reference Colour Charts chart 4 for Formier gas. In pipes with wall thickness 2 mm and the applied welding parameters, this is obtained with maximum approx. 20 ppm Ozin dry Argon and maximum approx. 57 ppm Ozin dry Formier gas. {Bass (SPECIFICATION Customer or consuitant specifications of requirements for the purge gas must include the following: 1. Post weld treatment, to be performed/not to be performed, possibly specification of form of and requirements for the treatment. 2. Specific requirements for welding proces, if any (e.g. pulsed arc or orbital welding), purge gas type and purity. 3, Maximum acceptable heat tint level, cf. Reference Colour Charts, charts 2 til 4 or similar reference material, or a specific welding test. 4, Documentation requirements for procedure, execution and control. "Guideline 4304-1-en for internal visual inspection of pipe systems with more stringent. requirements’ is recommended as reference for this specification. Ad 2 ‘The purge gas purlty can be specified as: "Sufficient to ensure that the requirement For maximum allowable heat tint is met. Ad3 ‘This requirement should be seen in context with em 1, Post weld treatment, the above. aAd4 “The required type of procedure testing must be defined, The speciation can be prepared according to EN SO 15609-1 and EN ISO 15614-1 stating the necessary stricter requirements. It ls recommended that, in all cases, the contractor is requested to dellver some form of test to prove that the specific combination of materials type, dimensions, gas type, welding parameters, purging tools and purging parameters results in the required surface purity. In critical components it should, maybe in dialogue with the contractor, be required that the puraing gas purity is documented by use of axygen indicator with the necessary sensitivity or test welding with Tint Tester. “Testing will primarily consist of visual examination - possibly by video endoscopy ideally of all weld seams/joints that are not post weld treated. ‘Guideline 4304-1-en for internal visual inspection of pipe systems with more stringent requirements’ describes the requirements for this inspection,‘Absolutely inaccessible weld seams should be avoided when planning the system. If these seams are found despite this recommendation, the weld seam should be requested x- rayed, and the customer or his consultant must specifically approve the applied procedure for purging. ‘The party in charge of welding (the contractor) must prepare a ‘specification which ensures that the requirements are met. This specification may be welding procedure specifications (WPS) and work instructions (WI). Specifications and instructions must include Information about materials, dimensions and welding parameters, as well as purging gas type (and purity), purging tools and purging parameters (flow and time). A separate description of procedure for purging may be prepared. FORCE Technology has prepared a form which can be obtained from the author upon request. ‘TESTING AND DOCUMENTATION ‘The actual obtained level of heat tint can, like the result of post weld treatment, only be checked by visual comparison with the stated requirements, cf. Reference Colour Charts, charts 1 to 4. Tnaccessible weld seams may be examined by video endoscopes. Tt should be noticed that evaluation of tinting colours in electropolished pipes is very difficult; especially in endoscopes, Reflexes easily arise, which either make the surface appear black due to light being reflected away, or dazzle due to reflected light into the lens. Also thermical etching and precipitation of condensated metal vapours give light blue to white-blue reflections and heat-tinted zones that deviate from normal tinting zones. ‘These zones are deemed to be without significance but they may camouflage actual critical tinting. In cases of doubt, the evaluation should be based on examination from as many angles as possible and, If applicable, with different lighting. Confer to recommendations in ‘Guideline 4304-1-en for internal visual inspection of pipe systems with more stringent. requirements’. Under very demanding corrosion conditions, 100 % control may be required. Under less demanding conditions, or in case a purging gas procedure proves to be very little sensitive to small variations in e.g. gas purity, flow conditions and groove geometty, the scope of testing may be reduced and follow common rules for scope and supplementary testing at detection of faults. ‘Acceptance criteria for testing should be stated referring to Reference Colour Charts or to one or more test welds agreed upon in advance.In cases of doubt, heat tinted weld seams (as-welded or after post weld treatment) shall be tested in a relevant corrosion test as agreed upon with FORCE Technology's Department of Corrosion and Metallurgy.REFERENCES: 1. "Svejsning af rustfrie st8lrar - Optimering af den indvendige gasbeskyttelse” [translated: Welding of pipes of stainless steel ~ Optimisation of the inside gas shielding], 3. Vagn Hansen, Torben Steen Nielsen and Palle Aastrup. Project report, FORCE Technology 1994, Skylning af ror med baggas (translated: Flushing of pipes with purging gas], Palle Aastrup, FORCE Technology, publ. 92.65. “Korrosionsbestandigt rustfrit st8l - Hvordan?” [translated: Corrosion resistant stainless steel — How?], Ebbe Rislund. FORCE Technology. Industriens Forlag 1996, ISBN 87-600-0079-1. “Guideline for indvendig visuel inspektion af rarsystemer med skzerpede krav”. [translated: ‘Guideline 4304-1-en’ for internal visual inspection of pipe systems with more stringent requirements]. FORCE Technology Publication 4304-1-en. ASTM A-380 *Standard Practice for Cleaning and Descaling Stainless Stee! Parts, Equipment and Systems", Report 94.34 - Revised in May 2006. "REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS - for purity of purging gas in stainless steel tubes”.Descriptions of levels A-H A. No visible heat tint at all B, Faint grey heat tint C. Faint yellow heat tint D. Markedly yellowish heat tint, turning into faint brown E, Faint biue heat tint F, Strong blue-violet heat tint G. Brownish and blue heat tint, matt grey weld metal H. Brownish and blue, thicker oxide layer, scales on weld metal April 2016, JVH/jrmRevision of REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS Publication Report 1337-2-en 94,34 REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS - for purity of purging gas in stainless steel tubes Revision - May 2006 has been revised in October 2013 to Report 1337-3-en ~ 2013* REFERENCE COLOUR CHARTS - for purity of purging gas in pipes of stainless steel Charts 1 and 2 have been replaced, based on performed testing by TintTester. Chart 3 for duplex stainless steel has been deleted. Classification of heat tint on duplex stainless steel may be based on Chart 1 or Chart 2 depending on type of gas. Revision of the text encompasses: Page 5 Acceptance criteria, paragraph Without post weld treatment | ™... deviating operating conditions during start-up ..” is added, | In the same paragraph, designations of steel have been updated and phrasing of requirements for high alloy austenitic stainless steels have been changed to: ... that, in neutral media with chloride content critical to the relevant alloy, a criterion must be defined for heat tint corresponding to the lower alloyed steels.” Page 5 Acceptance criteria, paragraph Duplex ‘The following text has been revised in relation to the previous edition: “For very critical applications it is recommended to require maximum faint greyist heat tint corresponding to levels A-B. In existing welding standards, ‘Argon is recommended as purging gas also for duplex stainless steel, but Formier gas is preferable if the welding procedure ensures a ferrite level below 65 %." Page 6 ‘SPECIFICATION “The following text has been added in relation to the previous edition: “Guideline 4304-1-en for internal visual inspection of pipe systems with ‘more stringent requirements’ describes the requirements for this inspection.” Page7 TESTING AND DOCUMENTATION ‘The following text has been added in relation to the previous edition: “Confer to recommendations in ‘Guideline 4304-1-en for internal visual inspection of pipe systems with more stringent requirements’.” 10FORCE Sane Report 1337-3-UK- Revision 2013 has in April 2016 been revised to Report 1337-4 — da-en - 2016, The changes between these two revisions are editorial only. 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