BS 8701:2016

This British Standard gives a method for determining the susceptibility to cracking of steel pipes in sour service.

This British Standard utilizes a tubular specimen comprising a full circumferential ring. The test method applies to any pipe with or without seam (longitudinal or spiral) or girth weld (with or without filler).

NOTE 1 The specimen is usually a pipe but can also consist of flange neck or section of a bend, or other tubular component or a combination of the above.

This British Standard provides guidance on determination of specimen size to ensure it retains residual stresses from manufacture and welding.

NOTE 2 See Clause 7 for specimen sizes.

The method utilizes ovalization to simulate hoop stress, using mechanical loading on a tubular form. The specimen is subjected to single sided exposure to the sour test environment.

NOTE 3 The test also allows measurement of hydrogen permeation rates which can provide useful information, such as highlighting the effects of galvanic coupling between materials of apparent compatibility.