The selection of corrosion-resistant alloys for oilfield components has been a challenge for the oil and gas industry due to its complex interactions with environments containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Field failures have been frequently attributed to sulfide stress cracking (SSC), which can occur due to the applied stress in the presence of H2S. The precipitation-hardening stainless steel 17-4 PH (H1150D) is a cost-effective alloy for some oilfield components due to its favourable combination of properties such as high strength, relatively high toughness, and good corrosion resistance. However, recent reports of failures at stress levels lower than the accepted limits poses a challenge for its application. Plasma nitriding is known to improve the surface strength of the 17-4 PH and the results from the present work suggests that the nitrided layer formed at low temperature can successfully increase the resistance to SSC for this material.

Subject
Pits, Materials, Potentiodynamic scans, Microstructure, Sodium chloride, Plasma, Partial pressures, Film formation, Immersion, Corrosion resistance, Sulfide stress cracking, Nitriding, Corrosion potential
Keywords:
sulfide stress cracking, SSC, precipitation-hardening stainless steel, 17-4 Ph, UNS S17400, hydrogen sulfide, plasma nitriding
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2017
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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