PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PRACTICE

(CORE)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

OXIDATION OF STAINLESS STEEL

WELDMENTS

PTS 30.10.60.31
JANUARY 1999
 PREFACE

PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS) publications reflect the views, at the time of publication,
of PETRONAS OPUs/Divisions.

They are based on the experience acquired during the involvement with the design, construction,
operation and maintenance of processing units and facilities. Where appropriate they are based
on, or reference is made to, national and international standards and codes of practice.

The objective is to set the recommended standard for good technical practice to be applied by
PETRONAS' OPUs in oil and gas production facilities, refineries, gas processing plants, chemical
plants, marketing facilities or any other such facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical
and economic benefit from standardisation.

The information set forth in these publications is provided to users for their consideration and
decision to implement. This is of particular importance where PTS may not cover every
requirement or diversity of condition at each locality. The system of PTS is expected to be
sufficiently flexible to allow individual operating units to adapt the information set forth in PTS to
their own environment and requirements.

When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use PTS they shall be solely responsible for the
quality of work and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In
particular, for those requirements not specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow
those design and engineering practices which will achieve the same level of integrity as reflected
in the PTS. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting from his
own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.

The right to use PTS rests with three categories of users :

1) PETRONAS and its affiliates.

2) Other parties who are authorised to use PTS subject to appropriate contractual
arrangements.
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with
users referred to under 1) and 2) which requires that tenders for projects,
materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said users
comply with the relevant standards.

Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with
users, PETRONAS disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury
or death) suffered by any company or person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the
use, application or implementation of any PTS, combination of PTS or any part thereof. The
benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to PETRONAS and/or any company affiliated
to PETRONAS that may issue PTS or require the use of PTS.

Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual
arrangements, PTS shall not, without the prior written consent of PETRONAS, be disclosed by
users to any company or person whomsoever and the PTS shall be used exclusively for the
purpose they have been provided to the user. They shall be returned after use, including any
copies which shall only be made by users with the express prior written consent of PETRONAS.
The copyright of PTS vests in PETRONAS. Users shall arrange for PTS to be held in safe
custody and PETRONAS may at any time require information satisfactory to PETRONAS in order
to ascertain how users implement this requirement.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................4
1.1 SCOPE...................................................................................................................4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ........4
1.3 DEFINITIONS.........................................................................................................4
1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES..........................................................................................5
2. PREVENTION OF OXIDATION..............................................................................6
3. REMOVAL OF OXIDATION ...................................................................................7
3.1 MECHANICAL CLEANING .....................................................................................7
3.2 PICKLING AND PASSIVATION USING LIQUIDS...................................................7
3.3 PICKLING AND PASSIVATION USING PASTES ...................................................7
4. OXIDATION ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.................................................................8
5. REFERENCES .......................................................................................................9

APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR OXIDATION OF STAINLESS STEEL
WELDMENTS..............................................................................................10
1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This new PTS specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the prevention and
removal of oxidation that may develop at weldments in stainless steels whether applied as
solid material or as cladding. The acceptance criteria for oxidation are also included.
These stainless steels include, but are not limited to:
• austenitic stainless steels AISI 316L and the high alloy type UNS S31254;
• austenitic/ferritic (duplex) stainless steels such as UNS S31803;
• high nickel austenitic alloys such as Incoloy 825 and Inconel 625.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by PETRONAS, the distribution of this PTS is confined to
companies forming part of PETRONAS group and to Contractors and Manufacturers
/Suppliers nominated by them.

This PTS is intended for use in oil refineries, gas plants, chemical plants, oil and gas
production facilities, and supply/marketing installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this PTS, the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of the
requirements are more stringent and which combination of requirements will be acceptable
as regards safety, environmental, economic, and legal aspects. In all cases, the Contractor
shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this PTS which is
considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or local regulations. The
Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned with the object of obtaining
agreement to follow this PTS as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

1.3.1 General definitions

The Contractor is the party which carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party which manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party which initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.3.2 Specific definitions

GTAW Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
SMAW Shielded Metal Arc Welding
TIG Tungsten Inert Gas (welding)
1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES
Where cross-references to other parts of this PTS are made, the referenced section
number is shown in brackets. Other documents referenced by this PTS are listed in (5).
2. PREVENTION OF OXIDATION

The methods for prevention of oxidation of weldments shall be in accordance with

PTS 61.40.20.30, PTS 30.10.60.30 and PTS 31.40.20.32.

Inert gas protection (purging before and during welding) shall be provided.
There shall be no hydrogen in the shielding or backing gas.
3. REMOVAL OF OXIDATION

3.1 MECHANICAL CLEANING

Oxidation may be removed by mechanical means. The surface shall be polished with a
grinder and a smooth transition to the unpolished base material surface shall be made.
The final surface roughness, Ra, shall be less than 12.5 micrometres.

3.2 PICKLING AND PASSIVATION USING LIQUIDS

Pickling and passivation shall be carried out in acid solutions which should be based upon
a mixture of HF/HNO3. The acid concentrations shall be controlled by means of analysis.
Details on minimum and maximum concentrations (including contaminating elements such
as. Fe2+, Fe3+ and other metal ions), exposure time and temperature shall be included in
the pickling procedure. For final rinsing, only fresh water with a chloride ion concentration
of less than 200 mg/kg, shall be used.
After rinsing, the item shall be dried using blowers.

3.3 PICKLING AND PASSIVATION USING PASTES

Pickling and passivation using pastes shall only be carried out on the outside of
equipment, pipelines, pipes etc. Pastes shall be specifically produced for the purpose of
oxidation removal and shall contain no halogens. Any residuals of such pastes shall be
removed after cleaning by washing with copious quantities of fresh water.
4. OXIDATION ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

The seven colour plates included in Appendix 1 show examples of oxidation ranging from
hardly any oxidation to very heavy oxidation. The acceptance of the grades of colouration
is indicated on each plate.
5. REFERENCES

In this PTS, reference is made to the following publications:

NOTE: Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with
any amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.

PETRONAS STANDARDS
PTS publications and Standard Specifications PTS 00.00.05.05
Welding of pipelines and related facilities PTS 61.40.20.30
(amendments/supplements to ANSI/API Std 1104)
Welding on pressurised piping PTS 30.10.60.30
CRA clad or lined steel pipe PTS 31.40.20.32
(amendments/supplements to API 5LD)
APPENDIX 1 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR OXIDATION OF STAINLESS STEEL
WELDMENTS

PLATE 1: ACCEPTABLE; VERY GOOD RESULT; NO DISCOLOURATION

PLATE 2: ACCEPTABLE; WELD FREE OF SIGNIFICANT OXIDATION
PLATE 3: ACCEPTABLE; SLIGHT DISCOLOURATION; WELD SHINY, NO SCALE
PRESENT
PLATE 4: ACCEPTABLE; SLIGHT DISCOLOURATION; WELD SHINY, NO SCALE
PRESENT
PLATE 5: UNACCEPTABLE; OXIDE LAYER PRESENT (GREY COLOUR) ON AND
NEAR WELD; LACK OF PROPER BACK-PURGING
PLATE 6: UNACCEPTABLE; OXIDE LAYER PRESENT (GREY COLOUR), WELD
BURNED; LACK OF PROPER BACK-PURGING
PLATE 7: UNACCEPTABLE; EXTREMELY BAD RESULT; VERY HEAVY OXIDE
LAYER PRESENT - THIS MAY DEVELOP WHEN WELDING WITH
COATED ELECTRODES (SMAW) OR WITH TIG WELDING (GTAW)
WITH SEVERE LACK OF BACK-PURGING
PLATE 1: ACCEPTABLE; VERY GOOD RESULT; NO DISCOLOURATION
PLATE 2: ACCEPTABLE; WELD FREE OF SIGNIFICANT OXIDATION
PLATE 3: ACCEPTABLE; SLIGHT DISCOLOURATION; WELD SHINY, NO SCALE
PRESENT
PLATE 4: ACCEPTABLE; SLIGHT DISCOLOURATION; WELD SHINY, NO SCALE
PRESENT
PLATE 5: UNACCEPTABLE; OXIDE LAYER PRESENT (GREY COLOUR) ON AND
NEAR WELD; LACK OF PROPER BACK-PURGING
PLATE 6: UNACCEPTABLE; OXIDE LAYER PRESENT (GREY COLOUR), WELD
BURNED; LACK OF PROPER BACK-PURGING
PLATE 7: UNACCEPTABLE; EXTREMELY BAD RESULT; VERY HEAVY OXIDE
LAYER PRESENT - THIS MAY DEVELOP WHEN WELDING WITH
COATED ELECTRODES (SMAW) OR WITH TIG WELDING (GTAW)
WITH SEVERE LACK OF BACK-PURGING