Structural integrity assessment of pipelines requires the knowledge of a combination of parameters, one of the most critical of which is materials' tensile properties. API standard testing methods for tensile properties involve the (destructive) testing of bulky specimens. In pipelines where records may be unavailable and the extraction of samples is not feasible, this type of approach is not viable, and alternative technologies are required. To overcome these difficulties, advanced indentation technology (AIT) has recently been developed, and commercial instruments are now available. The major advantage of this technology is that it is non-destructive. This paper evaluates the technology and summarises the experience with two commercial instruments in terms of their accuracy, repeatability and reliability. Factors that influence the accuracy of in-field measurements, and examples of in-field application, are presented.

Subject
Hardening, Test methods, Materials, Piping, Indentation, Pipelines, Tensile tests, Tensile properties, Instrumentation, Stress, Constants, Steel, Yield strength
© 2004 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).
2004
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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