Fracture mechanics environment-assisted cracking tests, using precracked TM0177-90 double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens, were performed on 4140 (UNS G41400) low alloy steel in simulated stimulation acidizing solutions. The acidizing solutions used were 15% HCl and 12% HCl-3% HF with proprietary inhibitors. The 4140 material was quenched and tempered to 34 HRC and had an average yield strength of 146 ksi (1007 MPa), which is a hardness/strength level typical of many oil field down-hole tools. This paper shows that crack propagation may occur in certain acidizing solutions even though the solution may be satisfactory in minimizing weight-loss corrosion. This paper also shows that crack propagation can be retarded and is dependent on the inhibitor.

Subject
Acids, Test methods, Acid inhibitors, Materials, Fracture toughness, Corrosion rate, Crack propagation, Stress cracking, Tubing, Corrosion inhibitors, Pitting, Stress corrosion cracking, Low alloy steel
Keywords:
fracture mechanics, fracture toughness, environment-assisted cracking, double cantilever beam, acidizing, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, inhibitor
© 1993 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1993
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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