Based on its exceptional corrosion and fatigue resistance, high strength-to-density ratio, and low
elastic modulus, Grade 29 titanium represents an attractive candidate material for dynamic offshore
steel catenary riser components such as taper stress joints (TSJs), and touch-down zones (TDZ)
sections, and deepwater intervention and production risers for HPHT and XHPHT service. Traditional
steel alloy riser components are known to exhibit substantial S-N fatigue life knockdown (i.e., corrosion
fatigue) when exposed to sour-rich well fluids, making safe fatigue design life difficult or even
unachievable. Similar to its documented corrosion fatigue resistance in hot seawater, Grade 29
titanium welded pipe joint specimens tested in this lab study exhibited neither statistically significant
corrosion, hydrogen absorption, nor reduction in S-N fatigue life when exposed to a sour NaCl brine at
150°C (302°F). A test frequency effect was observed, which probably stems from sustained-load strain
occurring during the time when peak stresses exceed the alloy’s proportional limit in the loading cycle.
As such, normalization of air and sour test frequencies at the lower value would have further diminished
any difference between the two population means in this study, suggesting little or no sour knockdown
for Grade 29 Ti pipe welds in this lower cycle regime study. Additional S-N testing in the higher cycle
regime at normalized, low frequencies is recommended to establish a design curve.
Keywords: titanium alloys, corrosion-fatigue, sour brine, sulfides, welds, S-N fatigue