Hydrogen Embrittlement
Why are we calling on industry for greater scrutiny on material choice and selection that is used in topside and subsea lifts?
Research with industry stakeholders and partners identifies the need for increased technical guidance on the effects of Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) to minimise risk to human life and improve operational integrity.
The findings of the research show how to:
1. Reduce the risk of operational failures and their frequencies to improve safety.
2. Reduce downtime and increase productivity to ensure better operating margins are achieved.
3. Reduce corrosion rates to extend life-time use, safely and sustainably.
4. Improve confidence offshore by reducing the risk of incorrect material selection.
Outcomes of detailed technical analysis have identified that as material hardness exceeds 39-40 HRC, the risk of HE and stress induced corrosion cracking (SICC) increases as the hardness values rise.
So, if you want to mitigate risk you have to ensure that the product used offshore is suitable for that environment. It is critical to ensure there is a clear understanding of how a product is going to be used and applied before it is exposed offshore, where steel is exposed to adverse and hostile unpredictable weather, with constant movement from sea and tidal influences.
Correct materials selection is key. Operators need to ensure that despite commercial pressures, the products used in the offshore environment are fully appropriate for their intended use, and that the environmental conditions, mechanical stresses and material susceptibility have all been assessed rigorously.
The report findings – https://williamhackett.co.uk/H-embrittlement – take a major step forward to explain the critical impact of HE.
William Hackett Lifting Products Ltd - Alnwick
01665 604200
liftingsales@williamhackett.co.uk
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William Hackett Chain Products Ltd - Cradley
01384 569431
chainsales@williamhackett.co.uk
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