20e Faq

Doc Edition Section Question Answer
20E 2nd 4.1 and Question: Yes

4.2 Is it permissible to use a semi-finished or finished part to manufacture a qualification sample that was sourced from a qualified raw material
provider, with the provision that all processing and testing requirements as those requirements apply to the qualification sample are
20E 2nd 4.3.1 Background: No.
Section 4.3.1 list ASTM194 2H and 2HM as an acceptable material with no limitations. However, for BSL2 and BSL3 ASTM A194 2H and 2HM The API 20E task
are not capable of meeting the microstructure requirements in these larger cross section sizes. group recognizes
that this is not
Question: clear in API 20E,
Is it acceptable to use ASTM A194 2H and 2HM material for nuts 3/4" nominal and larger? 2nd edition and
is working on an
addendum to
correct the
discrepancy.
20E 1st 5.3.5.3 Background: No

ASTM A320 L7M bolts were used to supply BSL-2 bolting per API 20E.
Question:
If ASTM A320 L7M bolts are Tempered at 720C, then the threads are rolled into the bolt, then they are stress relived at 620C, meeting the
minimum stress relief temperature specified by ASTM A320, do they comply with API 20E, 5.3.5.3?
20E 1st 5.3.5.3 Background: Answer 1: Yes
Request for clarification is based on the fact that it appears that the API 20E committee may not have considered the case for ASTM A320
L7M & ASTM A193 B7M fasteners that have well defined minimum stress relief requirements & temperatures within these specifications. If Answer 2: No
the main concern is the prevention of hydrogen embrittlement for exposure to sour environments, then the corresponding ASTM A320 L7M
and the ASTM A193 B7M specifications fully comply with these requirements. Answer 3: Yes
The interpretation of clause 5.3.5.3 is very clear for the high strength bolting of grades L7 (ASTM A320), B7 (ASTM A193) & L43 (ASTM A320)
grades. The reason for requiring the stress relieving after rolling is that the above-cited ASTM specifications do not require stress relieving
for the high strength bolting grades. API 20E wanted to add the requirement to eliminate the possibility of any surface hardening that
occurred at the root of threads and the potential that this would raise hardness locally and cause hydrogen embrittlement when the bolts
were exposed to cathodic protection. The 2nd part of the clause is also clear for the high strength bolts, as it establishes a minimum range
for the stress relief temperatures.
The interpretative difficulty with the clause 5.3.5.3, begins when considering the NACE compliant category of fasteners of L7M (ASTM A320)
& B7M (ASTM A193). The difficulties can be summarized as follows:
a. Unlike the case for high strength bolting, the applicable ASTM specifications call out for stress relieving after any cutting operation. The
example for L7M from ASTM A320-15 reads: 5.1.5 “For L7M bolting, the final heat treatment, which may be the tempering or stress-
relieving operation conducted at 1150°F (620°C) minimum, shall be done after machining or rolling and any other cutting operation.”
b. The crux of the interpretative request is that if one were to follow the API 20E clause as cited above, it clashes with the requirements of
ASTM A320 L7M. Firstly, the API only asks for stress relieving after rolling, while the ASTM A320L7M requires stress relieving after
machining, rolling or any cutting operation. Secondly, the API 20E clause requires that the stress relief operation be done at a prescribed
temperature range below the final temper operation. ASTM A320 L7M bolts have a minimum called out stress relief temperature, which
allows for situations where the stress relief operation will be below the ranges that have been prescribed by the cited API 20E clause.
Case 1:
i. Beginning with an L7 heat-treated fastener blank HRC 34
ii. Initial temper @ 720°C to reduce hardness to HRC 22
iii. Rolling operation to form the threads
iv. Stress relieving at the minimum allowed 620°C. This follows the ASTM A320 L7M requirements. There is an apparent clash with the API
20E clause in that the range between the tempering operation and the stress relief could be 100°C.
Case 2:
i. Beginning with an L7 heat-treated fastener blank that has:
ii. Initial temper @620°C to obtain HRC 34
iii. Rolling operation to form the threads
iv. Stress relieving at 700°C to temper/stress relief. This is allowable by ASTM A320 L7M. However, one can interpret by the API 20E clause
5.3.5.3 that an additional stress relief would be required.
Question 1: Is Clause 5.3.5.3 applicable to ASTM A320 L7M & ASTM A193 B7M fasteners?
Question 2: Case 1 is acceptable under ASTM A320 L7M. Is case 1 acceptable under API 20E?
20E 1st 5.8.2.2.1 Background: Yes
Reason for hardness Limit
Question:
Is the purpose of the hardness limit 34 HRC for resistance to hydrogen related cracking?
20E 2nd 5.4.8.3 Background: Yes

Confirmation of the use of Zinc-Alloy plating
Question:
API 20E 2nd Edition Clause 5.4.8.3 prohibits Zinc electroplating for subsea and splash zone use. Does this mean that only Zinc electroplating
is prohibited and that Zinc-Alloy electroplating is still permissible (i.e. Zinc-Nickel or Zinc-Tin), provided the electroplating process still meets
the additional requirements stated in Section 5.4.8?

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Doc Edition Section Question Answer

20E 2nd 4.1 and Question: Yes

20E 1st 5.3.5.3 Background: No

20E 2nd 5.4.8.3 Background: Yes

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