The effect of different material variables on Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC) resistance of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) was analyzed. Several Cr-Mo-Nb microalloyed steels with different contents of Ti and B and different quenching and tempering conditions were used in order to obtain 110-122 ksi yield strength. The SSC performances were evaluated by means of tensile tests and Double Cantilever Beam tests, NACE methods A and D, respectively. Factors such as the microstruetural features (e.g. the presence of upper and lower bainite, type and
distribution of precipitates), the inclusion content and morphology were correlated to SSC initiation and propagation. Initiation of SSC cracks is mainly related to the steel cleanliness, i.e. content of non-metallic inclusions and TiN particles, and hardness. Propagation of SSC mainly depends on steel microstructure and strength. Materials having a refined
austenite grain and tempered martensite microstructure (>95%) showed the best performance in sour conditions. Improvement of SSC resistance was obtained through microalloying adjustment combined with multiple
heat treatment process.
Keywords: high strength low alloy steels (HSLA), sour environment, oil country tubular goods (OCTG), sulfide stress cracking (SSC), double cantilever beam (DCB), prior austenite grain size (PAGS)