Carry Over From API SC6 Winter Meeting API Standard 6A718 Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes Tim Haeberle 30 June 2011

Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes Background API Standard 6A718, 1st and 2nd Editions, have included only one strength class: 120K A 120 KSI min yield strength is what has been historically required for Alloy 718 tubing hangers The 120 KSI min yield strength exceeds the 75 KSI design criteria applicable to valve gates, seats & stems API Standard 6A718 was developed “to supplement the existing requirements of API 6A and ISO 10423”, and it is still meeting that objective. However……..

Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes Background - Continued Although intended for API 6A equipment, API 6A718 has now been specified for other types of oil and gas production equipment, such as down-hole safety valves The manufacturers of down-hole safety valves specify Alloy 718 with minimum yield strengths of: 120 KSI 130 KSI 135 KSI 140 KSI While the 130, 135, and 140 KSI grades exceed the mechanical property requirements of API 6A718 and therefore comply with the mechanical property requirements of API 6A718, there can be other spec compliance problems.

Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes Background – Continued The 135 and 140 KSI grades typically need to be precipitation hardened at a lower temperature than permitted by API 6A718, thereby rendering material heat treated in this manner out of compliance. Material in the 135 and 140 KSI grades is frequently “hand picked” from vendor inventory since it is difficult to achieve these strength levels while still meeting the NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 hardness limit of HRC 40.

Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes There have been requests to include the 130, 135, and 140 KSI strength classes in API 6A718. The 130 KSI strength class could simply be added as another strength class without having to make any other changes. The 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes cannot simply be added in this manner. The 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes would require testing and evaluation of the environmental cracking resistance of each grade, if heat treated using a precipitation hardening temperature or time outside of the ranges specified in API 6A718. Additionally, there needs to be a review to determine if the 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes are actually commercial grades, or if the requirement for “hand picking” material from inventory makes them too special inclusion in an API standard.

Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes Proposal: Establish a small Work Group for “Inclusion of Additional Alloy 718 Strength Classes” Alloy 718 manufacturers and suppliers Equipment manufacturers using the alternate classes End users Work Group Objectives: Define the differences in processing required for each of the alternate Alloy 718 strength classes Propose detailed qualification requirements for evaluating the alternate Alloy 718 strength classes that must be heat treated at temperatures or times that do not comply with the existing API Standard 6A718

API CSOEM SR3 Form Form ready for submittal Requesting $100,000

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