ASME B31.
3-2012
for hazards from instability of contained fluids. Consid-
eration should be given to the use of cladding, lining,
or other protective materials to reduce the effects of
corrosion, erosion, and abrasion.
(b) Information on material performance in corrosive
environments can be found in publications, such as “The
Corrosion Data Survey” published by the National
Association of Corrosion Engineers.
F323.1 General Considerations
The following are some general considerations that
should be evaluated when selecting and applying mate-
rials in piping (see also para. FA323.4):
(a) the possibility of exposure of the piping to fire
and the melting point, degradation temperature, loss of
strength at elevated temperature, and combustibility of
the piping material under such exposure
(b) the susceptibility to brittle failure or failure from
thermal shock of the piping material when exposed to
fire or to fire-fighting measures, and possible hazards
from fragmentation of the material in the event of failure
(c) the ability of thermal insulation to protect piping
against failure under fire exposure (e.g., its stability, fire
resistance, and ability to remain in place during a fire)
(d) the susceptibility of the piping material to crevice
corrosion under backing rings, in threaded joints, in
socket welded joints, and in other stagnant, confined
areas
(e) the possibility of adverse electrolytic effects if the
metal is subject to contact with a dissimilar metal
(f) the compatibility of lubricants or sealants used on
threads with the fluid service
(g) the compatibility of packing, seals, and O-rings
with the fluid service
(h) the compatibility of materials, such as cements,
solvents, solders, and brazing materials, with the fluid
service
(i) the chilling effect of sudden loss of pressure on
highly volatile fluids as a factor in determining the low-
est expected service temperature
(j) the possibility of pipe support failure resulting
from exposure to low temperatures (which may embrit-
tle the supports) or high temperatures (which may
weaken them)
(k) the compatibility of materials, including sealants,
gaskets, lubricants, and insulation, used in strong oxi-
dizer fluid service (e.g., oxygen or fluorine)
(l) the possibility of adverse effects from microbiolog-
ically influenced corrosion (MIC) or its remediation
F323.4 Specific Material Considerations — Metals
The following are some specific considerations that
should be evaluated when applying certain metals in
piping:
396
(a) Irons — Cast, Malleable, and High Silicon (14.5%).
Their lack of ductility and their sensitivity to thermal
and mechanical shock.
(b) Carbon Steel, and Low and Intermediate Alloy Steels
(1) the possibility of embrittlement when handling
alkaline or strong caustic fluids
(2) the possible conversion of carbides to graphite
during long time exposure to temperatures above 427°C
(800°F) of carbon steels, plain nickel steel, carbon-
manganese steel, manganese-vanadium steel, and
carbon-silicon steel
(3) the possible conversion of carbides to graphite
during long time exposure to temperatures above 468°C
(875°F) of carbon-molybdenum steel, manganese-
molybdenum-vanadium steel, and chromium-
vanadium steel
(4) the advantages of silicon-killed carbon steel
--``,,,,,`,````,```,`,,```,,`,`,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
(0.1% silicon minimum) for temperatures above 482°C
(900°F)
(5) the possibility of damage due to hydrogen expo-
sure at elevated temperature (see API RP 941); hydrogen
damage (blistering) may occur at lower temperatures
under exposure to aqueous acid solutions1
(6) the possibility of stress corrosion cracking when
exposed to cyanides, acids, acid salts, or wet hydrogen
sulfide; a maximum hardness limit is usually specified
(see NACE MR0175 or MR0103 and RP0472)1
(7) the possibility of sulfidation in the presence of
hydrogen sulfide at elevated temperatures
(c) High Alloy (Stainless) Steels
(1) the possibility of stress corrosion cracking of
austenitic stainless steels exposed to media such as chlo-
rides and other halides either internally or externally;
the latter can result from improper selection or applica-
tion of thermal insulation, or from use of marking inks,
paints, labels, tapes, adhesives, and other accessory
materials containing chlorides or other halides
(2) the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of
austenitic stainless steels sensitized by exposure to tem-
peratures between 427°C and 871°C (800°F and 1,600°F);
as an example, stress corrosion cracking of sensitized
metal at room temperature by polythionic acid (reaction
1
Titles of referenced documents are
API RP 941, Steels for Hydrogen Service at Elevated
Temperatures and Pressures in Petroleum Refineries and
Petrochemical Plants
NACE MR0103, Materials Resistant to Sulfide Stress Cracking
in Corrosive Petroleum Refining Environments
NACE MR0175, Sulfide Stress-Cracking Resistant Metallic
Materials for Oil Field Equipment
NACE RP0472, Methods and Controls to Prevent In-Service
Cracking of Carbon Steel (P-1) Welds in Corrosive Petroleum
Refining Environments
NACE RP0170, Protection of Austenitic Stainless Steel in
Refineries Against Stress Corrosion Cracking by Use of
Neutralizing Solutions During Shutdown