Martensitic Stainless Steel Pipe Composition for High Strength and Toughness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 13Cr-type martensitic stainless steel pipes used in oil and gas wells suffer from inferior toughness at high strength levels, limiting their application due to the need for expensive Ni and Mo additions and increased phosphorus reduction costs, which complicates industrial production.

Innovation Solution

A high-strength martensitic stainless steel pipe composition with controlled C, Mn, N, and Al levels to minimize grain boundary carbides, combined with strategic use of Nb, Mo, and V to enhance tempering temperature, allowing for excellent toughness and hot workability without excessive Ni and Mo, and reduced phosphorus content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high strength (95 ksi grade or more) is achieved using conventional API-13Cr material, then strength is improved, but toughness deteriorates significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield strengthVSAvoidtoughness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by strictly controlling P content (0.008% or less), C content (0.18-0.22%), and Al content (0.0005-0.003%), while optimizing Mn (0.40-1.00%) and N (0.012-0.040%) to achieve both high strength and satisfactory toughness simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite effect by combining multiple elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Al, N, Cu, Ti, V, Mo, Nb, B, Ca) in specific proportions to form a martensitic structure that provides both high strength and toughness, rather than relying on a single element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If P content is reduced to less than 0.008% to improve toughness, then toughness is improved, but production cost increases due to increased dephosphorization frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoughnessVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the parameter combination of C (0.18-0.22%), Mn (0.40-1.00%), Al (0.0005-0.003%), and N (0.012-0.040%) to achieve satisfactory toughness at P content of 0.008% or less, reducing the need for excessive dephosphorization while maintaining required mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If expensive elements Ni and Mo are added in large quantities to ensure toughness and corrosion resistance, then toughness and corrosion resistance are improved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoughnessVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the parameter combination of Cr (11.50-13.50%), Mn (0.40-1.00%), Ni (0.5% or less), Al (0.0005-0.003%), N (0.012-0.040%), Cu (0.25% or less), Ti (0.05% or less), V (0.02-0.18%), Mo (0 to 0.05%), Nb (0 to 0.009%), B (0.0010% or less), and Ca (0.0050% or less) to achieve both high toughness and cost-effectiveness by minimizing expensive alloy additions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Shape

If straightening treatment is performed after tempering to improve straightness, then shape is improved, but toughness deteriorates due to additional work hardening

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestraightnessVSAvoidtoughness
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the parameter combination of V (0.02-0.18%), Mo (0 to 0.05%), and Nb (0 to 0.009%) to raise the tempering temperature to 610-750°C, which suppresses work hardening during subsequent straightening treatment and maintains toughness while achieving the required straightness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a cost-effective, high-strength martensitic stainless steel pipe with improved toughness and hot workability, suitable for oil and gas well environments, without the need for expensive alloy additions and with reduced production costs, ensuring stability and efficiency in industrial production.

Implementation Method 1

a martensitic stainless steel pipe... having a yield strength of 650 MPa or more and a toughness exceeding 70 J/cm2 by impact value in the Charpy impact test at 0 degrees C. using V-notch test pieces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

heating the steel pipe... at a temperature T1, which exists in the temperature range of 930 to 980 degrees C. for 5 to 30 minutes; then cooling the steel pipe from the temperature T1 to a temperature T2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS7476282B2Martensitic stainless steel pipe
Publication Date: 2009.01.13 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION

AI summary

A martensitic stainless steel pipe, which comprises specified quantities of C, Si, Mn, P, S, Cr, Ni, Al, N, Cu, Ti, V, Mo, Nb, B and Ca, and the balance being Fe and impurities, has satisfactory toughness at a high strength of 650 MPa or more by yield strength and also excellent hot workability. Therefore, it can be used as a high-strength martensitic stainless steel pipe for carbon dioxide gas corrosion resistant use, to be used in oil and/or gas well environments containing no hydrogen sulfide but carbon dioxide gas. This high-strength martensitic stainless steel pipe is an inexpensive martensitic stainless steel pipe, which does not require an addition of large quantities of expensive elements such as Ni and Mo, and moreover does not require the control of the content of P to a value less than 0.010% by mass.