THE USE OF INCOLOY 825 IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

THE USE OF INCOLOY 825 IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Exploring the Benefits of INCOLOY Alloy in the Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry is rapidly modernizing, making it increasingly critical to select materials that provide exceptional corrosion resistance in extreme environments. Both onshore and offshore extraction operations demand alloys that can withstand heat and corrosive conditions. Nickel-based alloys from the INCONEL, INCOLOY, and MONEL families offer effective and cost-efficient solutions for manufacturing pumps, valves, and process control equipment.

Key Alloys in the Oil and Gas Sector

According to Corrosion and Materials in the Oil and Gas Industries (CRC Press, April 2016, Reza Javaherdashti, Chikezie Nwaoha, Henry Tan), the two most vital nickel alloys in this sector are INCONEL alloy 625 and INCOLOY alloy 825. INCOLOY alloy 825 is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy with significant molybdenum content and a small amount of titanium (0.6-1.2%).

This alloy is regarded as a pioneer among modern alloys containing molybdenum, which enhances its strength while providing resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion. The inclusion of titanium stabilizes the alloy against intergranular corrosion. The balanced composition of these elements results in excellent resistance to both chloride stress corrosion cracking (CSCC) and general corrosion, which is crucial in the oil and gas industry. CSCC is a localized form of intergranular corrosion that occurs under tensile stress in high-temperature environments containing oxygen and chloride ions. Nickel alloys are often preferred as they help mitigate susceptibility to this type of corrosion.

Applications of INCOLOY Alloy 825

INCOLOY alloy 825 is utilized alongside various materials across a wide range of applications in the oil and gas sector. Its impressive corrosion resistance under diverse conditions makes it suitable for numerous uses. For instance, it is employed in the processing equipment for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, particularly for the separation of extracted fluids. It is also valuable for flow lines in subsea applications.

Additional applications include wellheads, cladding for risers and pipes, and casing and tubing. Due to its high corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing environments, INCOLOY alloy 825 is particularly effective in projects involving sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfur-containing flue gases, sour gas, oil wells, and seawater.