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13-42 Casing/Tubing Design Manual
October 2005
13.17.3.1 Martensitic Stainless Steel
The martensitic stainless steel contains chromium as its principal alloying
element. The most common type contains around 12% chromium, although
some chromium content may be as high as 18%. The carbon content ranges
from 0.08% to 1.10% and other elements, such as nickel, columbium,
molybdenum, selenium, silicon, and sulfur, are added in small amounts for other
properties in some grades.
The most important characteristic that distinguishes this steel from other grades
is its response to heat treatment. The martensitic stainless steel is hardened by
the same heat treatment procedures used to harden carbon and alloy steels.
Martensitic stainless steel is included in the “400” series of stainless steels. The
most commonly used of martensitic stainless steel is AISI Type 410. The only
grade of oilfield tubular used in this category is 13Cr. As its name indicates, the
microstructure of this steel is martensitic. Stainless steel is strongly magnetic
whatever the heat treatment condition.
13.17.3.2 Ferritic Stainless Steel
The second class of stainless steel is the ferritic stainless steel, which is similar
to the martensitic stainless steels in that it has chromium as the principal alloying
element. The chromium content of ferritic stainless steel is normally higher than
that of the martensitic stainless steel and the carbon content is generally lower.
The chromium content ranges between 13% to 27% but it is not able to be
hardened by heat treatment. It is used principally for their temperature properties.
Ferritic stainless steel is also part of the “400” series, the principal types being
405, 430, and 436. The microstructure of ferritic stainless steel consists of ferrite,
which is also strongly magnetic. Ferrite is simply body-cantered cubic iron or an
alloy based on this structure.
13.17.3.3 Austenitic Stainless Steel
Austenitic stainless steel has two principal alloying elements, chromium, and
nickel. Its micro-structure essentially consists of austenite, which is face-cantered
cubic iron or an iron alloy based on this structure. It contains a minimum of 18%
chromium and 8% nickel, with other elements added for particular reasons, and
may range to as high as 25% chromium and 20% nickel
.
Austenitic stainless steel generally has the highest corrosion resistance of any of
the stainless steels, but its strength is lower than martensitic and ferritic stainless
steel. It cannot be hardened by heat treatment, although it can be hardened, to
some extent, by cold working, and it is generally non-magnetic.
Austenitic stainless steels are grouped in the “‘300” series; the most common is
304. Others commonly used are 303 free machining, 316 high Cr and Ni, which
may include Mo, and 347 stabilized for welding and corrosion resistance. These
steels are widely used in the oilfield for fittings and control lines, but because of
their low strength they are not used for well tubulars.