High temperature degradation of structural materials in environments encountered in the petroleum and petrochemical industries: Some mechanistic observations

Abstract

This paper reviews some of the important processes underlying high temperature degradation of structural materials used in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. Particular emphasis is palced in degradation processes involving the interaction of structural metals and alloys with environments containing sulfidizing, carburizing, and halogenizing species. In addition the effect of gaseous hydrogen environments at elevated temperatures and pressures on the mechanical properties of steels will be discussed. The mechanism of attack and the effect of alloying elements in these phenomena will be described and discussed.