Materials System Specification

02-SAMSS-013 20 August 2017

Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope ................................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ................................... 3
3 References........................................................ 3
4 Purchase Order Information .............................. 6
5 Supplementary Requirements........................... 7
6 Design ............................................................... 7
7 Starting Materials .............................................. 9
8 Manufacturing ................................................. 10
9 Heat Treatment ............................................... 12
10 Testing ............................................................ 12
11 Corrosion Testing............................................ 14
12 Product Inspection and Testing....................... 14
13 Pickling and Passivation ................................. 16
14 Positive Material Identification (PMI) ............... 17
15 Product Marking, Preservation, and
Documentation ................................................ 17
Revision Summary .................................................. 18

Previous Issue: New Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020

Contact: Rumaih, Abdullah M. (rumaam0c) on +966-13-8801753 Page 1 of 18

©Saudi Aramco 2017. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

1 Scope

1.1 This specification is applicable to wrought stainless steel and nickel alloy pipe
fittings manufactured in accordance with ASME B16.9 and the materials
specifications A403, A815, and B366. This specification only applies to fittings
that are purchased “loose”. This specification does not apply to fittings installed
on equipment that is engineered, manufactured, and tested prior to delivery to
Saudi Aramco unless specifically invoked in the Purchase Order. It does not
apply to fabricated-type laterals.

1.2 This specification applies to fittings meeting the requirements of ASME B16.9
and special designed fittings such as self-reinforced branch connections.
Self-reinforced branch connection may be made from ASTM A182 stainless
steel and B564 nickel alloys.

1.3 Forged socket-welding and threaded fittings per ASME B16.11 are excluded
from this specification.

1.4 Fittings purchased to this specification are suitable for use in accordance with
ASME B31.3, B31.4, or B31.8.

1.5 All fitting manufacturers shall perform forming, machining and heat treatment
operations either in-house or in a wholly owned subsidiary approved by Saudi
Aramco. It is not permitted to outsource forming, machining or heat treatment
operations. Machining shops are not considered fitting manufacturing facilities.
Fitting manufacturers are not permitted to procure rough products for further
processing. For forged products, fitting manufacturers may outsource the forging
process only if the following minimum measures and controls are fully met:
a) Providing inspection coverage at the forging mill by the main fitting
manufacturer to closely monitor the outsourced forging operation.
b) Implementation of a detailed Inspection & Test Plan (ITP) that covers the
essential forging operation steps with witness and hold points, including
control of raw material, preheating, forging process and parameters,
traceability, inspection, and marking.
Commentary Note:

The fitting manufacturer shall include a statement for country of origin, if other
than the point of shipment. Traceability of finished materials shall extend back to
the original pipe, plate or billet manufacturer.

Page 2 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

2 Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.

Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.

If there is a conflict between the ASTM specification and the requirement given within
this specification the more stringent of the two requirements shall apply.

3 References

The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the
latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-206 Positive Material Identification
SAES-L-133 Corrosion Protection Requirements for Pipelines,
Piping, and Process Equipment

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

01-SAMSS-046 Stainless Steel Pipe
02-SAMSS-011 Forged Steel Weld Neck Flanges for Low and
Intermediate Temperature Service
Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements
Form 175-026200 Butt Welding Pipe Fittings, Stainless Steel and
Nickel Alloy

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B16.9 Factory-made Wrought Steel Butt Welding Fittings
ASME B16.25 Butt Welding Ends

Page 3 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

ASME B31.3 Process Piping

ASME B31.4 Liquid Petroleum Transportation Piping Systems
ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
ASME SEC II Part C Specification for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and
Filler Metals
ASME SEC VIII Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
ASME SEC IX Qualification Standard for Welding and Brazing
Procedures, Welders, Brazers, and Welding and
Brazing Operators

American Society for Nondestructive Testing

ASNT SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification
and Certification
ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certification of
Nondestructive Testing Personnel

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A182 Standard Specification for Forged or Rolled Alloy
and Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged
Fittings, and Valves and Parts for High-
Temperature Service
ASTM A262 Standard Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to
Intergranular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
ASTM A312 Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and
Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel
Pipes
ASTM A358 Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion Welded
Austenitic Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Pipe
for High-Temperature Service and General
Applications
ASTM A370 Standard Test Methods and Definitions for
Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM A380 Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and
Passivation of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment,
and Systems
ASTM A403 Standard Specification for Wrought Austenitic
Stainless Steel Piping Fittings

Page 4 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

ASTM A409 Standard Specification for Welded Austenitic Steel

Pipe for Corrosive or High-Temperature Service
ASTM A790 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded
Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe
ASTM A815 Standard Specification for Wrought Ferritic,
Ferritic/Austenitic, and Martensitic Stainless
Steel Piping Fittings
ASTM A923 Standard Test Methods for Detecting Detrimental
Intermetallic in Duplex Austenitic/Ferritic
Stainless Steel
ASTM A928 Standard Specification for Ferritic/Austenitic
(Duplex) Stainless Steel Pipe Electric Fusion
Welded with Addition of Filler Metal
ASTM A960 Standard Specification for Common Requirements
for Wrought Steel Piping Fittings
ASTM A999 Standard Specification for General Requirements
for Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe
ASTM B366 Standard Specification for Factory-Made Wrought
Nickel and Nickel Alloy Fittings
ASTM B564 Standard Specification for Nickel Alloy Forgings
ASTM E165 Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetrant
Examination
ASTM E384 Test Method for Vickers Hardness of Metallic
Materials
ASTM E562 Standard Test Method for Determining Volume
Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count
ASTM G28 Standard Test Methods for Detecting Susceptibility
to Intergranular Corrosion in Wrought, Nickel-
Rich, Chromium-Bearing Alloys
ASTM G48 Standard Test Methods for Pitting and Crevice
Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steels and
Related Alloys by Use of Ferric Chloride Solution

American Welding Society

AWS A5.01 Filler Metal Procurement Guidelines
AWS A5.XX Specifications for Welding Filler Metals
(Series of Specifications)

Page 5 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

AWS A4.2 Standard Procedures for Calibrating Magnetic

Instruments to Measure the Delta Ferrite Content
of Austenitic and Duplex Austenitic-Ferritic
Stainless Steel Weld Metal
AWS A5.32 Specification for Welding Shielding Gases

European Standard
EN 10204 Metallic Products - Types of Inspection Documents

International Organization for Standardization

ISO 9712 Non-Destructive Testing - Qualification and
Certification of NDT Personnel

Manufacturers Standardization Society

MSS SP-75 High-Strength, Wrought, Butt-Welding Fittings
MSS SP-97 Integrally Reinforced Forged Branch Outlet Fittings -
Socket Welding, Threaded, and Buttwelding Ends

NACE International
NACE MR0103 Material Resistant to Sulfide Stress Cracking in
Corrosive Petroleum Refining Environment
NACE MR0175/ Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries Materials
ISO 15156 for Use in H2S-Containing Environments in Oil
and Gas Production

4 Purchase Order Information

The following information shall be included in the Purchase Order:

a) Type of fitting
b) Nominal size of fitting, wall thickness or schedule and end details of pipe to be
matched
c) Grade of the fitting material
d) Sour service, if applicable
e) Wall thickness of lap-joint stubs, if applicable
f) Additional material and testing requirements; if applicable
g) Additional Charpy Impact testing requirements, if applicable
h) Export packing, marking, and shipping details

Page 6 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

5 Supplementary Requirements

The following supplementary requirements in the specific ASTM specification are

mandatory:

5.1 ASTM A403

All fittings shall be Class “S” or “WX”. All welds, whether made by the pipe or
fitting manufacturer, shall be radiographed after forming.

Supplementary requirement “S2 Stabilization Treatment” is required for the

applicable alloys.

5.2 ASTM A815

All fittings shall be Class “S” or “WX”. All welds, whether made by the pipe or
fitting manufacturer, shall be radiographed after forming.
5.2.1 Supplementary requirement “S1 Product Analysis” is required.
5.2.2 Supplementary requirement “S2 Tension test” is required.
5.2.3 Supplementary requirement “S3 Intergranular Corrosion Bend Test” is
required.
5.2.4 Supplementary requirement “S7 Liquid Penetrant Test” is required.

5.3 ASTM B366

All fittings shall be Class “S” or “WX”. All welds, whether made by the pipe or
fitting manufacturer, shall be radiographed after forming.
5.3.1 Supplementary requirement “S1 Product Analysis” is required.
5.3.2 Supplementary requirement “S2 Tension test” is required.
5.3.3 Supplementary requirement “S3 Liquid Penetrant Test” is required.
5.3.4 Supplementary requirement “S6 Positive Material Identification
Examination” is required.

6 Design

6.1 Pressure Rating

Design and pressure rating of ASME B16.9 fittings shall be established by proof
testing per ASME B16.9 Paragraph 9 or by mathematical stress analysis per

Page 7 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

ASME B31.3 Paragraph 304. No portion of elbows shall be thinner than the
minimum wall thickness of the mating pipe.

6.2 A drawing shall be prepared for all fittings showing the overall dimensions,
including the required thicknesses in all areas based on the proof test or
calculations. This drawing shall be available to the Saudi Aramco inspector.
Design calculations and proof testing data shall be available on request.

6.3 Main Dimensions

The pipe fittings covered by this specification shall have dimensions as specified
in ASME B16.9, as applicable. Pressure rating of fittings not meeting the
standard dimensions shall be established per the requirements of Paragraph 6.1.

6.4 Circumferential Welds

Circumferential welds are not allowed except to attach extensions such as those
mentioned in Paragraph 6.5 and straight tangent ends that are specified in the
purchase order.

6.5 Tees and Reducing Tees

The branch outlet of tees shall be extruded or forged to the run and shall have a
smoothly curved transition between run and branch. Welded-on branch
connections (set-on or stub-in) are prohibited. Lengthening of an extruded
outlet by means of a circumferential weld in the cylindrical part of the branch is
permitted.

When tees are fabricated from plate, the weld seams shall be parallel to the axes
of the run and the branch.

6.6 Reducers

Concentric and eccentric reducers shall have smoothly curved wrought

transitions and parallel ends (ASME shape) unless a conical shape is specified in
the Purchase Order.

Reducers shall have a nominal wall thickness which is at least equal to the
specified nominal wall thickness of the matching pipe (of equal specified
minimum yield strength) at the large end.

ASME shape reducers not listed in ASME B16.9 or MSS SP-75 shall be
designed in accordance with ASME B31.3, Paragraph 304.6 for a design
pressure permitted by the matching pipe.

Conical reducers are only permitted when so specified in the Purchase Order.

Page 8 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

The included angle shall not exceed 12 degrees.

Exception:

An included angle of maximum 15 degrees is allowed when the reducer is

concentric, has two cylindrical ends with a minimum length of 50 mm, and
smoothly finished circumferential welds.

6.7 Lap-Joint Flange Stub Ends

Lap-joint flange stub ends (weld ends) for sizes larger than NPS 24 are covered
by 02-SAMSS-011 and related standard drawings.

6.8 Special Designs

Special designs, such as nonstandard shapes and dimensions, will be considered

when the vendor can prove that similar fittings have been successfully tested by
means of an actual proof test in accordance with ASME B16.9 or MSS SP-75.

6.9 Butt Welding Ends

Unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Order, the butt welding ends shall be
in accordance with the requirements of ASME B16.25 and match the beveled
end of the pipe specified in the Purchase Order.

7 Starting Materials

7.1 Starting materials may be seamless or welded pipe or plate. All material
requirements shall be as per ASTM A403, A815, or B366, including the
supplementary and additional requirements mandated by this specification.

7.2 Starting Pipe (Mother Pipe)

7.2.1 For fittings made from seamless or welded pipes, the starting pipe
(mother pipe) shall not be resized by cold or hot expansion, reduction or
drawing prior to the forming process by the fitting manufacturer.
Exceptions shall be reviewed by the Chairman of Materials Engineering
Standards Committee.

7.2.2 The welds in the starting pipe (LSAW pipes) shall be qualified in the
final fitting heat treatment condition.

7.3 When specified for sour service, piping components shall comply with the
requirements of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156.

7.4 Dual certified 316/316L fittings are acceptable if the design temperature is less
than 538°C. Dual certification for all other grades (e.g., 316/316H) is acceptable.

Page 9 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

7.5 All non-‘L’ grades (e.g., 316) shall have a minimum carbon content of 0.04%.
This requirement is not mandatory if the design temperature is less than 538°C.

7.6 Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) (%Cr+3.3%Mo+16%N) for the base

material and weld metal for the grades listed below shall be greater than or equal
to that shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1 - Pitting Resistance Equivalent

Grade PRE
316/316L 24
317/317L 29
N08904 34
S31254(1)
N08367 42
N08926
S32050 50
S32205 35
S32750 42
N08825 32
N06625 45
N10276 64
(1) UNS N08367 and N08926 are acceptable substitutes to UNS S31254.
If UNS N08367 or N08926 is offered in lieu of UNS S31254, all the
requirements of UNS S31254 stated in this specification shall apply.

8 Manufacturing

The manufacturer shall guarantee effective measures to prevent materials mix-up or

cross contamination.

8.1 General

The following requirements apply to the welding performed by the fitting

manufacturer:
 All Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS's) and Procedure Qualification
Records (PQR's) shall be written in English and conform to the applicable
Code.
 Welding procedures shall be written and qualified in accordance with
ASME SEC IX.
 Welders and welding operators shall be qualified in accordance with
ASME SEC IX.

Page 10 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

 Complete Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS's) and Procedure

Qualification Records (PQR's) shall be made available for review by the
Saudi Aramco inspector.
 Welding procedure qualification shall include all the types of mechanical
and corrosion testing listed in Sections 10 and 11 of this specification.

8.2 Processes

8.2.1 The following processes are approved for use:

 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
 Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)
 Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) - Short Circuiting transfer shall
not be used.
 Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) - Shall not be used for the root
pass on single sided groove welds.

8.2.2 Welding without the addition of filler material is not permitted.

8.3 Welding Consumables

8.3.1 Electrodes, filler wires, gases and fluxes shall conform to the
requirements of the BPV, ASME SEC II, Part C, identical to the
AWS A5.XX specification series. Other consumables may be used only
with the specific approval of Saudi Aramco.

8.3.2 Active Submerged Arc Welding fluxes shall not be used.

8.4 Welding Procedure Qualifications

8.4.1 General

For SAW welding, the specific flux brand name shall be the same as
used for the PQR. For FCAW welding, the specific brand name of the
electrode, type, and maximum size shall be the same as used for the
PQR. The brand name and type of flux and FCAW electrode shall be
specified on both the WPS and PQR.

8.4.2 Hardness Testing

Hardness testing is required for the weld metal, heat affected zone
and parent metal for all welding procedure qualifications. The testing

Page 11 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

shall be conducted in accordance with NACE MR0175/ISO 15156.

The hardness values shall meet the requirements of NACE MR0175 /
ISO 15156.

8.5 Weld Repairs

8.5.1 Cracks, other than crater cracks, shall be repaired only if approved by the
Saudi Aramco inspector. The repair procedure shall be approved by the
Consulting Services Department.

8.5.2 Unsuccessful weld repairs after the second attempt shall be completely
cut out and replaced.

8.6 Welding consumables shall have the appropriate chemistry to meet the corrosion
properties and strength levels of the base material as required by the specifications.

8.7 Welding qualification requirements (Procedure Qualification Record and

Welding Procedure Specification) for Duplex Stainless Steels as specified in
NACE MR0103 shall apply for UNS S32205 and S32750.

8.8 No weld repair is allowed after the final heat treatment. Weld repair on the body
of the fitting is prohibited.

9 Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is required for all fittings after all forming and/or welding processes are
completed. The heat treatment temperature and time shall be as required by the
applicable ASTM specification.

Hot formed fittings shall be subjected to a separate final heat treatment cycle.

The supplementary requirement in ASTM A403 “S2 Stabilization Treatment” is

required for the applicable alloys.

10 Testing

10.1 All Fittings

A sample fitting or a test sample of the starting material shall be tested for each
lot. The sample or material shall be heat treated with the actual fitting materials.
Commentary Note:

A lot shall consist of all fittings of the same type, size, and wall thickness,
manufactured from one heat of material (and, if fabrication welding is performed
using one lot/heat of welding consumables) and subjected to the same finishing
(i.e., amount of working and heat treatment). Heat treatment may be considered

Page 12 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

continuous providing all temperatures are controlled within ±14°C (25°F).

Any break in continuous material flow or multiple furnace loads shall be
considered separate heat treat lots.

The testing requirements are summarized below:

10.2 A403 Fittings

 Tensile test of the base material and weld.
 Corrosion test as per Section 11.

10.3 A815 Fitting

10.3.1 All fittings in A815

 Tensile test of the base material and weld as per supplementary
requirement S2.
 Corrosion test as per Section 11.

10.3.2 Duplex stainless steel fittings in addition to paragraph 10.3.1

 Ferrite content of the base material, weld metal and HAZ shall be
measured. The test on the weld material is not required if it is
nickel based. The ferrite range must be within 35 to 60% as
measured by metallographic methods using a point count technique
in accordance with ASTM E562.
 Impact test of base material, weld, and HAZ per A923 Method B.

10.4 B366 Nickel Fittings

 Tensile test of the base material and weld as per supplementary requirement S2.
 Corrosion test as per Section 11.

Table 2 - Summary of Lot Mechanical and Corrosion Testing

Material Tensile Corrosion Ferrite Content Charpy Impact
A403 Austenitic Yes Yes No No
A 815 Ferritic or Martensitic Yes No No No
A 815 Duplex or Super Duplex Yes Yes Yes Yes
B366 Nickel Fittings Yes Yes No No

Commentary Note:

For all above materials for fittings of welded construction or made of welded pipe,
two tensile tests are required; one for the base material and one transvers of the
weld.

Page 13 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

11 Corrosion Testing

11.1 All austenitic stainless steel grades except those specified in Table 3 shall be
subjected to intergranular corrosion test as per ASTM A262 Practice E.
Requirement for sensitization of samples shall be as specified in ASTM A262
except that sensitization heat treatment is not required for grades having more
than 3% Mo.

11.2 The following grades shall be subjected to the corrosion testing as specified in
Table 3 below:

Table 3 - Corrosion Testing

Steel Grade Corrosion Test Test Conditions Acceptance Criteria
No pitting at 20X magnification.
UNS N08904 ASTM G48 Test temperature: 25C
(904L) Method A Weight loss shall be less than
Test duration: 24 hours
4.0 g/m².
UNS S31254 No pitting at 20X magnification
ASTM G48 Test temperature: 50C
UNS N08367 Weight loss shall be less than
Method A Test duration: 48 hours
UNS N08926 4.0 g/m².
ASTM A923
UNS S32205 As per ASTM A923 As per ASTM A923
Test Method C
ASTM A923
UNS S32750 As per ASTM A923 As per ASTM A923
Test Method C
ASTM G48
UNS N08800 As per ASTM G48 48 mpy (1.22 mm/y) maximum
Test Method A
ASTM G48
UNS N08825 As per ASTM G48 18 mpy (0.457 mm/y) maximum
Method A
ASTM G48
UNS N06625 As per ASTM G48 36 mpy (0.914 mm/y) maximum
Method A
ASTM G48
UNS N10276 As per ASTM G48 100 mpy (2.54 mm/y)
Method B
Notes:
a. The internal and external surfaces of the specimens shall be in the “as delivered” condition, pickled
and passivated.
b. Cut edges shall be prepared according to ASTM G48, and the whole specimen shall be pickled if the
fittings are to be delivered after pickling.
c. For welded fittings, the sample for corrosion test shall include the weld at the center of the sample.

12 Product Inspection and Testing

12.1 General
Fittings shall be radiographed, hardness tested, dimensionally inspected as
indicated in this section. Welds in the mother pipe shall be included in the final
inspection and testing. The fittings are subject to inspection by the Saudi

Page 14 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

Aramco Inspection Representative per Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirement

Form 175-026200 attached to the Purchase Order.

12.2 Visual Examination and Dimensional Check

All fittings shall be visually inspected. General appearance and workmanship

shall be acceptable in accordance with ASME B31.3 Paragraph 344.2.
Weld surfaces shall show a smooth contour. Dimensions of the fitting shall be
checked against ASME B16.9, MSS SP-75 or approved Vendor's Drawings.
The thickness of areas of the fittings shall be verified, see design section.

12.3 Production Dye Penetrant

The entire inside and outside surface of fittings, regardless of size, shall be
liquid penetrant tested in accordance with ASTM E165. The acceptance criteria
shall be as per ASME SEC VIII D1. Frequency and number of fittings to be
tested shall be in accordance with Table 4. If any fitting fails the penetrant test
then all of the fittings in the entire lot must be tested.

Table 4 - Sampling Plan Based on Lot Size

Lot Size (pieces) Sample Size
2–8 2
9 – 15 3
16 – 25 5
26 – 50 8
51 – 90 13
91 – 150 20
151 – 280 32
281 – 500 50
501 – 1200 80
1201 – 3200 125

12.4 Production Radiography

All welds in fabricated fittings shall be 100% radiographed after heat treatment
following forming regardless whether they are made by the pipe manufacturer or
fitting manufacturer. Radiography shall be in accordance with ASME SEC VIII
D1, paragraph UW-51.

12.5 Production Hardness Tests

12.5.1 Hardness tests shall be conducted on at least one fitting from each heat

Page 15 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

treatment batch and heat of material.

12.5.2 Hardness testing shall be conducted using bench-top hardness tester

calibrated to ASTM standard hardness test blocks.

12.5.3 A minimum of three hardness indentations shall be made on the parent

metal of each fitting, with the test locations spaced evenly across the
piece being tested (for fittings 2-inch and smaller, only two
indentations are required). For welded fittings, an additional three
hardness indentations shall be made evenly spaced along the weld.

Table 5 – Production Hardness Tests

UNS No. Hardness (Maximum)
S32205 28 HRC
S32750 32 HRC
S31254 31 HRC
N08800 28 HRC
N08825 25 HRC
N06625 35 HRC

12.5.4 Acceptance criteria for all other grades not specified in the Table 5
above shall be as per the applicable ASTM standard and/or
NACE MR0175/ISO 15156.

12.5.4.1 If any single indentation exceeds the allowable hardness

limit, two additional hardness indentations shall be taken
within 25 mm from the previous indentation, and the three
hardness values shall be averaged. If the average exceeds
the allowable limit, the fitting shall be rejected, and all the
other fittings from the same heat or lot shall be 100%
hardness tested.

12.5.4.2 At the manufacturer’s option, all fittings that have failed the
hardness test requirements can be re-heat treated and
hardness tested again. Fittings that pass all testing
requirements after re-heat treatment will be accepted.
Fittings that fail a second time shall be permanently rejected.

13 Pickling and Passivation

13.1 All fittings shall be pickled and passivated in accordance with ASTM A380.

13.2 Iron contamination after heat treatment and pickling/passivation shall be

Page 16 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

prevented. On suspicion of iron contamination, Saudi Aramco representative

can request for Ferroxyl Test for Free Iron as per ASTM A380.

14 Positive Material Identification (PMI)

PMI shall be conducted randomly on finished fittings on each lot before dispatch.
A minimum of 10% of fittings in each heat must be tested. Internal company
procedures can be followed for conducting PMI.

Saudi Aramco representative may select the fittings for testing.

PMI shall include the weld metal of welded-type fittings.

15 Product Marking, Preservation, and Documentation

15.1 ASTM fittings shall be marked per the applicable ASTM standard.

15.2 The marking shall ensure full traceability to melt and heat treatment lot.

15.3 Paint marking shall be done with water-insoluble material that contains no
substances that harmfully affect the metal at ambient or elevated temperatures.
In particular, the marking material shall be free of lead, sulfur, zinc, cadmium,
mercury, chlorine, or other halogens.
Commentary Notes:

All pen marks, label, and tape attached directly to the fittings shall be "chloride-
free" content.

Any die stamping shall be performed with low stress stamps.

15.4 Fittings shall be wrapped in plastic film or bag that is air-tight sealed, and packed
in fully covered wooden boxes if the nominal diameter size is equal or less than 6-
inch OD. For larger sizes, fittings shall be wrapped in plastic film or bag that is
water-proof sealed. Alternative packing can be accepted upon approval by the
Chairman of Materials Engineering Standards Committee.

15.5 Fittings shall be stored on wooden bearing strips. Storage and handling practice
must ensure that there are no mechanical dents on the fittings surface and that
there is no contamination from carbon steel (crane hooks, etc.).

15.6 Documentation shall be in accordance with EN 10204 “type 3.1”. The results of
all tests required in this specification shall be reported. The reporting
documentation shall be in the English language and three copies shall be provided.

15.7 Solution annealing temperature, holding time and cooling media shall be
reported in the mill test certificate. In case of stabilized grades, the above details

Page 17 of 18
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAMSS-013
Issue Date: 20 August 2017
Next Planned Update: 20 August 2020 Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy Butt Welding Pipe Fittings

for stabilization heat treatment shall also be reported.

15.8 Corrosion tests, including weight loss (where applicable), shall be reported in
the mill test certificate.

15.9 It shall be certified that the radiation levels from the fittings is less than
100 beckerels/gram or 0.5 μSV/hr. Results shall be included in the material’s
test certificate.

15.10 The fittings, after pickling, shall be suitably protected from environmental
contamination (moisture, dirt, etc.) during storage and transportation.

Revision Summary
20 August 2017 New Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification for stainless steel and nickel alloy butt
welding pipe fittings.

Page 18 of 18