Effect of bainitic microstructure on the susceptibility of pipeline steels to hydrogen induced cracking

Hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) of API X80 and API X100 pipeline steels have been investigated in high pH carbonate–bicarbonate environment using slow strain rate testing (SSRT) method. It has been found that while both steels are highly susceptible to HIC, and diffusible hydrogen content is higher in API X80 than in API X100, the later steel is more vulnerable than the former at high (more negative) cathodic potential. This higher susceptibility can be primarily attributed to the combined effect of (1) separation of bainitic lath boundaries due to hydrogen trapping in these locations, (2) mobile hydrogen, and (3) stress. The charging–discharging experiments followed by SSRT experiments in air suggest that, the cracks that appeared due to lath boundary separation did not cause the reduction of ductility by themselves, rather it was the diffusible hydrogen that forced these cracks to propagate and, ruptured the steel with very low percent reduction of area (%RA). Despite the fact that the mobile hydrogen content plays a key role in causing the embrittlement, the large number of cracks in API X100 steel, resulting from the bainitic lath boundary separation at high cathodic potential, superseded the effect of higher diffusible hydrogen content in API X80 steel. The general conclusion is that bainitic lath type microstructure is more vulnerable to HIC at high cathodic potential than the ferritic/granular bainitic ones. It has been also found that applying cathodic protection can lead to excessive hydrogen embrittlement in both of the abovementioned steels in high pH carbonate–bicarbonate environment and, therefore, efforts need to be invested in developing nobler (more positive corrosion potential) and better HIC resistant steels.

► X100 is more vulnerable to hydrogen embrittlement than X80 at high cathodic potential.
► Bainitic lath boundary separation takes place due to hydrogen trapping in these areas.
► Mobile hydrogen forces these cracks to propagate and ruptures the steel.
► Applying cathodic protection can lead to hydrogen embrittlement in X100 and X80.