Determinação do KIHAC do aço API 5CT P110 dopado com hidrogênio em água do mar sintética sob superproteção catódica.

Abstract

The interaction of materials used in the fabrication of equipment with the environments for which they are put into service often causes their degradation. The hydrogen embrittlement presents as a degradation process characterized by the nucleation and propagation of cracks in metallic materials, as in pipes used in the oil and gas sector, being classified as one of the most dangerous for structural integrity, since it can occurring suddenly and difficult to perceive, resulting in a catastrophic fracture. Therefore, it is necessary to make efforts to obtain parameters and criteria that help in the selection, inspection and maintenance of equipment, where the operating conditions favor the occurrence of an assisted fracture environment. For this, tests were carried out with the API 5CT P110 steel, pre-doped with hydrogen, followed by step loading methodology, ASTM standard F1624 (2012), in synthetic sea water with cathodic overprotection. The seawater solution was prepared in accordance with ASTM D1141 (2013). The beginning of subcritical crack growth was determined by the technique of alternating current potential drop. The results showed a significant decrease in the steel initiation fracture toughness and validated the determination of the stress intensity threshold (KIHAC) of the API 5CT P110 steel in synthetic sea water under cathodic overprotection.