• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2008

In this study, small punch test and tensile test were performed with specimens directly machined from an ASTM A53 grade B carbon steel pipe at which an explosion accident was occurred in the Heavy Oil Unit. Main damage mechanism of the pipe was known as a high temperature hydrogen attack(HTHA). Effects of HTHA on the mechanical strength change of the A53B steel were studied in detail. Small punch test results have showed that maximum reaction forces, SP energy and ductility were decreased at hydrogen attacked part of the pipe compared with sound part of the pipe. Yield strength and tensile ultimate strength were calculated with the obtained small punch test curve results using different methods and compared the estimation methods. Small punch test simulation has been also performed with the finite element method and then mechanical strength, equivalent strain and fracture toughness were calculated with the obtained numerical analysis results. It was shown that the fracture toughness data calculated from small punch equivalent energy obtained by the finite element analysis for SP test was very low at the hydrogen attacked part.

• International Journal of Safety
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2007

In this study mechanical strength of A53B carbon steel was analyzed using several types of test specimens directly machined from oil recycling pipe experienced a failure due to hydrogen attack in chemical plants. High temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) is the damage process of grain boundary facets due to a chemical reaction of carbides with hydrogen, thus forming cavities with high pressure methane gas. Driven by the methane gas pressure, the cavities grow on grain boundaries forming intergranular micro cracks. Microscopic optical examination, tensile test, Charpy impact test, hardness measurement, and small punch (SP) test were performed. Carbon content of the hydrogen attacked specimens was dramatically reduced compared with that of standard specification of A53B. Traces of decarburization and micro-cracks were observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Charpy impact energy in hydrogen attacked part of the pipe exhibited very low values due to the decarburization and micro fissure formation by HTHA, on the other hand, data tested from the sound part of the pipe showed high and scattered impact energy. Maximum reaction forces and ductility in SP test were decreased at hydrogen attacked part of the pipe compared with sound part of the pipe. Finite element analyses for SP test were performed to estimate tensile properties for untested part of the pipe in tensile test. And fracture toughness was calculated using an equivalent strain concept with SP test and finite element analysis results.