Evaluation of corrosion behavior of a pipeline carbon steel (API 5L-X52) subjected to short time immersion test in a source aqueous media.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46842/ipn.cien.v30n1a15Keywords:
corrosion, API 5L, sour media, H2S, immersion testsAbstract
API carbon steels pipes are widely used in oil and gas industry for transporting products. They are constantly exposed to aggressive environments, most of them rich in CO2 and H2S concentrations, which increases wear by corrosion. This study investigated the corrosive behavior of API 5L-X52 carbon steel when immersed in a static solution simulating a source media for short periods of time, simulating conditions of initial contact between a source media and API steels. Tests were performed according to ASTM G31 standard. The mass loss method was used to evaluate corrosion rates at each time point, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was used to characterize the microstructure and corrosion products of the samples. The results showed that the first few hours of contact with the source media generate a peak in the corrosion rate; after this time, corrosion rate decreases and tends to stabilize. Furthermore, the presence of H2S in the media accelerates the formation of craters on the surface, causing pitting corrosion damage. Finally, the presence of Sb in the EDS analysis helps to identify corrosion products on the metal surface.
References
[1] M. G. Fontana, Pitting. In Corrosion Engineering. Third ed. United States: McGraw-Hill, 1987.
[2] P. Rao, L. Mulky, “Erosion‐Corrosion of Materials in Industrial Equipment: A review,” Chem Electro Chem, vol. 10, no. 16, pp. 1-13, Jul. 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202300152
[3] M. M. Stack, N. Pungwiwat, “Erosion–corrosion mapping of Fe in aqueous slurries: some views on a new rationale for defining the erosion–corrosion interaction,” Wear, vol. 256, no. 5, pp. 565–576, Oct. 2003, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(03)00566-0
[4] J. Jeon, R. Ahmed, R. Elgaddafi, C. Teodoriu, “Hydrogen embrittlement of high-strength API carbon steels in H2S and CO2 containing environments,” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, vol. 104, p. 104676, Jun. 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2022.104676
[5] C. I. Ossai, B. Boswell, I. J. Davies, “Pipeline failures in corrosive environments – A conceptual analysis of trends and effects,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 53, pp. 36–58, Apr. 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2015.03.004
[6] L. Popoola, A. Grema, G. Latinwo, B. Gutti, A. Balogun, “Corrosion problems during oil and gas production and its mitigation,” International Journal of Industrial Chemistry, vol. 4, no. 1, p. 35, Jan. 2013, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/2228-5547-4-35
[7] H. Ma, et al., “The influence of hydrogen sulfide on corrosion of iron under different conditions,” Corrosion Science, vol. 42, no. 10, pp. 1669–1683, Oct. 2000, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-938X(00)00003-2
[8] C. I. Ossai, “Advances in Asset Management Techniques: An overview of corrosion mechanisms and mitigation strategies for oil and gas pipelines,” ISRN Corrosion, vol. 2012, pp. 1–10, Nov. 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/570143
[9] S. Papavinasam, “The main environmental factors influencing corrosion,” in Elsevier eBooks, 2013, pp. 179–247. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397022-0.00004-2
[10] Y. Chen, H. Zhang, J. Zhang, X. Liu, X. Li, J. Zhou, “Failure assessment of X80 pipeline with interacting corrosion defects,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 47, pp. 67–76, Oct. 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2014.09.013
[11] H. Shabani, N. Goudarzi, M. Shabani, “Failure analysis of a natural gas pipeline,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 84, pp. 167–184, Nov. 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2017.11.003
[12] D. Hincapié-Ladino, J. W. Calderón-Hernández, J. V. De S Araujo, R. Magnabosco, N. Alonso-Falleiros, “The influence of H2S on the microstructure of API 5 L X65 pipeline steel: An electrochemical approach,” International Journal of Electrochemical Science, vol. 20, no. 4, p. 100967, Feb. 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoes.2025.100967
[13] Z. B. Wang, Y. G. Zheng, “Critical flow velocity phenomenon in erosion-corrosion of pipelines: determination methods, mechanisms and applications,” Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 63–73, Mar. 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpse.2021.01.005
[14] S. Sh. Abedi, A. Abdolmaleki, N. Adibi, “Failure analysis of SCC and SRB induced cracking of a transmission oil products pipeline,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 250–261, Apr. 2006, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2005.07.024
[15] K. M. M. Rahman, M. A. Mohtadi‐Bonab, R. Ouellet, J. Szpunar, “A comparative study of the role of hydrogen on degradation of the mechanical properties of API X60, X60SS, and X70 pipeline steels,” Steel Research International, vol. 90, no. 8, Jun. 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.201900078
[16] E. Gámiz-Serrano, J. L. González-Velázquez, D. I. Rivas-López, M. A. Beltrán-Zúñiga, “Mechanical behavior of API 5L X80 steel after Short-Term immersion in brine and sour aqueous media,” Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 450–460, Dec. 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-08966-3
[17] S. U. Koh, J. S. Kim, B. Y. Yang, K. Y. Kim, “Effect of line pipe steel microstructure on susceptibility to sulfide stress cracking,” Corrosion, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 244–253, Mar. 2004, doi: https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3287728
[18] R. A. Carneiro, R. C. Ratnapuli, V. De Freitas Cunha Lins, “The influence of chemical composition and microstructure of API linepipe steels on hydrogen induced cracking and sulfide stress corrosion cracking,” Materials Science and Engineering: A, vol. 357, no. 1–2, pp. 104–110, May 2003, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-5093(03)00217-X
[19] D. Hidayat, S. A.-T. Al-Azhima, R. Zainul, N. S. Syafei, “Stress-dependent corrosion behavior and SCC susceptibility of API 5L grade B steel in acidic sour environments,” Discover Materials, Apr. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-026-00645-z
[20] C. Ren, D. Liu, Z. Bai, T. Li, “Corrosion behavior of oil tube steel in simulant solution with hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide,” Materials Chemistry and Physics, vol. 93, no. 2–3, pp. 305–309, Apr. 2005, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2005.03.010
[21] Standard Practice for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing of Metals, ASTM G31-72 (Reapproved 2004), ASTM International, 2012, available: https://store.astm.org/g0031-72r04.html
[22] Standard Guide for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing of Metals, NACE TM0169/G31-21, 2025, available: https://doi.org/10.5006/NACE-ASTM_TM0169-2021-ASTM_G31-21-2025
[23] B. Vargas-Arista, A. Balvantin, A. Baltazar, F. García-Vázquez, “On the use of ultrasonic spectral analysis for the characterization of artificially degraded API 5L X52 steel pipeline welded joints,” Materials Science and Engineering: A, vol. 550, pp. 227–234, Apr. 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2012.04.064
[24] J. A. Frias-Flores, M. Vite-Torres, E. A. Gallardo-Hernandez, C. S. De la Rosa, “Erosive Wear Resistance of a Pipeline Section (API 5L-X52) by Solid Particle (Al2O3)”, Tribology In Industry, vol. 47, n.o 3, pp. 593-601, sep. 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.24874/ti.2007.08.25.08
[25] Wheel Test Method Used for Evaluation of Film-Persistent Corrosion Inhibitors for Oilfield Applications, NACE 1D182, NACE INTERNATIONAL, 2025, available: https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/nace/NACEPublication1D182
[26] N. Rodriguez-Martinez, “Del petróleo crudo a los combustibles (Parte I)”, La Union, (accessed May 28, 2026), available: https://www.launion.com.mx/blogs/ciencia/noticias/187153-del-petroleo-crudo-a-los-combustibles-parte-i.html
[27] Z. M. Wang, J. Zhang, “Corrosion of multiphase flow pipelines: the impact of crude oil,” Corrosion Reviews, vol. 34, no. 1–2, pp. 17–40, Dec. 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/corrrev-2015-0053
[28] C. S.-D. La Rosa, M. Vite-Torres, J. G. Godínez-Salcedo, E. A. Gallardo-Hernández, R. Cuamatzi-Melendez, L. I. Farfán-Cabrera, “Erosion-corrosion of X-52 steel pipe under turbulent swirling impinging jets,” Wear, vol. 376–377, pp. 549–556, Apr. 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2016.12.063
[29] S. C. Grund, K. Hanusch, H. J. Breunig, H. U. Wolf, “Antimony and antimony compounds,” Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Jun. 2000, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/14356007.a03_055.pub2
[30] J. W. Town, I. Usa, “US3361559A - Method for antimony precipitation of mercury - Google Patents,” Feb. 16, 1965, (accessed June 16, 2026), available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US3361559A/en
[31] W. L. F. Armarego, C. L. L. Chai, “Purification of inorganic and Metal-Organic chemicals,” in Elsevier eBooks, 2009, pp. 445–576. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-85617-567-8.50013-5
[32] J. F. Macedo, I. A. Fioravante, R. Z. Nakazato, H. A. Acciari, E. N. Codaro, “Corrosion behavior of API 5L X70 carbon steels in hydrogen sulfide environments,” DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Jan. 2021, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.22068/ijmse.18.1.12
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Javier Alejandro Frias Flores, Jesus Gilberto Godinez Salcedo, Juan Rodrigo Laguna Camacho, Manuel Vite Torres (Autor/a)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
