Materials System Specification

01-SAMSS-016 11 February 2007

Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking
Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee Members
Anezi, Mohammed Ali, Chairman
Rumaih, Abdullah Mohammad, Vice Chairman
Burgess, Brian Wayne
Cruz, Czar Ivan Tecson
Lobley, Graham Russel
Mehdi, Mauyed Sahib
Nuaim, Tareq Abdulaziz
Omari, Ahmad S.
Rao, Sanyasi
Nasri, Nadhir Ibrahim
Tems, Robin Douglas
Kermad, Abdelhak
Buraiki, Iyad Abdulrazzak
Moore, Mark Andrew
Niemeyer, Dennis Charles
Stark, Gregory Dalton
Abdul Hadi, Abdul Latif Ibrahim
Mugbel, Wajdi Mohammad

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 3
4 Definitions....................................................... 4
5 Test Solution Requirements........................... 4
6 Quality Control Requirements........................ 5
7 Acceptance Criteria........................................ 5
8 Material Selection and
Testing Subcommittee.................................... 8

Appendix A – Documentation Required

for Bid Evaluation................................... 9
Appendix B – Test Procedure for Evaluating
HIC in H2S Saturated Solution A.......... 10

Previous Issue: 31 October 2004 Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 14
Primary contact: Anezi, Mohammed Ali on 966-3-8746122
Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2007. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

1 Scope

1.1 This specification is supplementary to the current NACE Standard TM0284

(Evaluation of Pipeline and Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-
Induced Cracking [HIC]). This specification does not apply to seamless pipe
but is applicable for the following steel products:
• High frequency welded line pipe per 01-SAMSS-332 and/or
01-SAMSS-333
• Submerged-arc welded line pipe per 01-SAMSS-035 and 01-SAMSS-038.
• Pressure vessel plate per 32-SAMSS-004.

1.2 Mandatory Requirements

1.2.1 This specification must be provided in full by the Buyer, Agent or other
intermediary to the primary Vendor or Manufacturer at both bidding and
purchasing processes. Both the Vendor and Manufacturer shall fully
comply with this specification. They must provide documentation (see
Appendix A) supporting their capability to manufacture and supply HIC-
resistant products. For new Vendors, a current clients' list for HIC-
resistant products shall also be required.

1.2.2 Sour service pipe purchased per 01-SAMSS-038 "Small Direct Charge
Purchases of Pipe" must be HIC-tested on a heat by heat basis. The test
results shall be submitted for approval by Vendor Inspection Division of
Inspection Department Acceptance criteria shall be as given in Section
7.1.1.

1.2.3 The steel manufacturer shall guarantee that the pipe fabrication cold
forming processes will not compromise the HIC resistance of the
strip/plate.

1.2.4 Pseudo-HIC Resistant steel shall not be used to fabricate equipment

intended for sour service application. Steel that passes the HIC test, but
has not been initially manufactured to be HIC resistant steel shall not be
used.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.3 Conflicting Requirements and Deviations

In case of conflict or deviation between this specification and drawings, design,

data sheet or order not specifically covered as an exception by the Purchase
Order, the Buyer shall be consulted and a ruling in writing obtained by the
Vendor before any work is done.

3 References

The following references in force on the date of the Purchase Order form a
supplementary part of this specification, as applicable.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

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

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

01-SAMSS-035 API Line Pipe
01-SAMSS-038 Small Direct Charge Purchases of Pipe
01-SAMSS-332 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe, Class B
01-SAMSS-333 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe, Class C
32-SAMSS-004 Manufacture of Pressure Vessels

Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements

Form 175-010200 Inspection and Testing Requirements - HIC
Testing

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API SPEC 5L Specification for Line Pipe
API STD 1104 Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A435 Standard Specification for Straight-Beam
Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
ASTM A578 Standard Specification for Straight-Beam
Ultrasonic Examination of Plain and Clad
Steel Plates for Special Applications

National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE TM0284 - 2003 Evaluation of Pipeline and Pressure Vessel Steels
for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

4 Definitions

For the purpose of this specification, the following definitions shall apply:

Agent: The company representing the Vendor.

Buyer: Saudi Aramco Purchasing Department Representative.

Buyer's Representative: The Saudi Aramco person(s) designated by the Purchasing

Department to monitor/enforce the contract.

Manufacturer: Company which manufactures the required steel plates and coils.

Pseudo-HIC Resistant Steel: Plate/Strip that is not fabricated utilizing the quality
control/assurance and fabrication measures to intentionally produce HIC resistant steel.

Responsible Standardization Agent (RSA): The Responsible Standardization Agent for

commodity assigned by Engineering Services/CSD, the responsible agencey, with the
concurrence of materials standardization, to be the technical authority on issues related
to commodity. .

Third Party Laboratory: An independent testing laboratory not affiliated with the
vendor or manufacturer.

Vendor: Pipe/Vessel manufacturer.

5 Test Solution Requirements

Solution A of the current NACE TM0284 shall be used for qualifying the products
listed above in Section 1.1. The test procedure is detailed in Appendix B.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

6 Quality Control Requirements

The Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Materials and Corrosion Control Standards

Committee shall approve all HIC Test Laboratories cited in Paragraph 7.1.1 following
the review of the Vendor Inspection survey report. This report shall include the
mandatory requirements specified in A3 of Appendix A, Appendix B and Paragraphs
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 below.

For quality control, the following minimum requirements shall be met:

6.1 Verify the Inspection and Testing Requirements specified in Form 175-010200
HIC Testing are completely satisfied. This task shall be carried out by Saudi
Aramco Inspection Representative, e.g., Vendor Inspection Division.

6.2 HIC control samples, provided by the Manufacturer/Vendor, shall be used for all
tests. These control samples shall have demonstrated HIC-cracking sensitivity,
i.e., Average Crack Length Ratio (CLR) exceeding 20% in Solution A.

6.3 The purity of the H2S gas shall be 99.5% minimum. H2S gas generated from
chemical reactions, e.g., Kipps apparatus, is not acceptable as a source of H2S
gas.

6.4 H2S concentration shall be measured by iodometric titration as per the current
NACE TM0284, i.e., ≥ 2,300 ppm. Measurements shall be conducted at start of
test, i.e., after 1 hour (saturation) and at the end of test (96 hours).

6.5 The HIC testing laboratory shall provide documentation supporting the adequate
training of technicians or engineers undertaking the evaluation of CLR and CTR
measurements.

6.6 Should the Vendor's HIC test results be rejected by Saudi Aramco, re-testing
may be referred to an independent 3rd party laboratory acceptable to Saudi
Aramco for resolution. This laboratory shall use HIC test methods and control
samples in accordance with this specification.

7 Acceptance Criteria

The criteria presented below include HIC Testing Sensitivity and Non-Destructive
Inspection.

7.1 HIC Sensitivity Testing

The following sections cover HIC sensitivity testing for raw material for
linepipe, pipe products and pressure vessel plates. The HIC test shall be
performed in accordance with Appendix B of this specification.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

7.1.1 Raw Material (plate, coil/skelp for linepipe)

Testing shall be performed by the Manufacturer/Vendor or 3rd party

laboratory acceptable to Saudi Aramco.
• Testing shall be carried out on all heats.
• If the steel is produced for continuous casting, three samples shall be
cut from one end, across the width of the plate. These samples shall
be oriented longitudinally, i.e., along the principal rolling direction
(Figure 1). If the steel is produced by the ingot method, two sets of
three specimens shall be tested, the sets being taken from opposite
ends of the plate: One near each edge and one at the center (total of
6 coupons). The long axis of the coupons shall be parallel to the
rolling direction of the plate.
• If several thicknesses are produced from a coil or plate of a single
heat, then the thinnest shall be tested.

Figure 1: Plate Sampling Location Diagram

7.1.2 Pipe Product

Testing shall be performed by the Vendor or 3rd party laboratory

acceptable to Saudi Aramco:
• One pipe from each of the first three heats supplied by each mill on
each Purchase Order shall be tested.
• One pipe out of every five subsequent heats shall be tested; the pipes
for testing shall be selected by the Buyer's Representative from the
heats containing the higher sulfur content.
• HIC test verification shall be in accordance with Form 175-010200
Inspection and Testing Requirements – HIC Testing.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

7.1.3 Pressure Vessel Plate shall be HIC tested as follows:

• One plate from each heat supplied on the Purchase Order shall be
tested.
• If more than one thickness of plate is produced from a single heat,
the thinnest plate shall be tested.

7.1.4 HIC Testing Acceptance Criteria

HIC is evaluated in terms of crack length ratio (CLR) and crack

thickness ratio (CTR) as given below. These values shall be reported for
each metallographic cross-section examined and as the calculated
average of three sections per specimen. The results for each specimen,
i.e., the average of the three sections examined, shall be used for
evaluating HIC sensitivity.

Definitions:

The "Crack Length Ratio"(CLR) is defined as the sum of the

lengths of the individual longitudinal cracks divided by the width of
the polished specimen face times 100% (Figure 2).

The "Crack Thickness Ratio" (CTR) is defined as the sum of the

thickness of crack arrays divided by the thickness of the polished
specimen face times 100% (Figure 2).

a) Acceptable

Surface Blistering - Cracks associated with surface blistering which

at no point extend more than 1 mm from the specimen surfaces are
acceptable. Cracks extending deeper than 1 mm shall be evaluated
as per Appendix B Section 7C of this specification.

Longitudinal cracking is acceptable as long as the calculated

average CLR for each individual specimen is less than or equal to
10%.

Transverse or stepwise cracking is acceptable providing the

calculated average CTR for each individual specimen is less than
or equal to 3%.

b) Not Acceptable

Longitudinal cracking in which the calculated average CLR of any

of the specimens exceeds 10% is not acceptable.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Transverse or stepwise cracking in which the calculated average

CTR of any of the specimens exceeds 3%.

7.1.5 Retesting Requirements

A heat that fails the acceptance criteria above may be retested as follows:

a) The plate or pipe that failed the test shall be rejected. However,
two additional joints of pipe (or pieces of plate) may be selected at
random from the same heat for further testing. If both of the retest
groups pass, all pipes in the heat are acceptable except the one from
which the initial test coupons were taken.

b) If one or both of the retest groups fail to meet the acceptance

criteria, the heat shall be rejected and materials specified in the
Purchase Order shall either be tested heat by heat or rejected
entirely at the discretion of the Vendor.

7.1.6 Additional testing shall be required if the steel-making and/or pipe-

making procedures are significantly altered during production.

8 Material Selection and Testing Subcommittee

Graham Lobley Coordinator

Khalid Al-Nabulsi Member
Robin Tems Member
Abdelhak Kermad Member
Brian Burgess Member
Nadhir Al-Nasri Member
Gregory Stark Member
Iyad Al-Buraiki Member
Dennis Niemeyer Member

Revision Summary
11 February 2007 Major revision.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Appendix A – Documentation Required for Bid Evaluation

This Appendix shall be highlighted and included in the purchase requisition (PR) intended for
first order of the new vendor.

The bid package shall include the following items:

A.1 Documentation detailing that the proposed steel manufacturing process and
controls will result in a product resistant to hydrogen induced cracking. Specific
measures that will be taken to ensure HIC resistance will be stated.

A.2 Proposed chemical composition and range based on check analysis including Al,
B, C, Ca, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb, N, P, Si, S, Ti and V.

A.3 Documentation for HIC testing facility, including, but not limited to the
following:
• Description of the HIC testing setup/apparatus (schematic required) to be
used for qualifying the plates, or pipes.
• Purity of the utilized salts and H2S for the test solution.
• Detailed procedure describing the testing, metallographic preparation and
evaluation of HIC specimens.
• Documentation confirming availability (with Manufacturer/Vendor) of HIC
Control Samples with demonstrated HIC-sensitivity, i.e., average CLR
exceeding 20% in Solution A.
• The Manufacturer/Vendor shall qualify his test method using HIC control
samples.
• If the Manufacturer/Vendor does not have a HIC testing facility acceptable
to Saudi Aramco or its representative, then he must provide documentation
supporting that testing shall be conducted by an independent 3rd Party
Laboratory meeting Saudi Aramco's approval.

A.4 Description of NDT equipment that will be used during plate, coil or finished
pipe inspection per Paragraph 7.2.

A.5 A current clients list for HIC-resistant products.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Appendix B – Test Procedure for Evaluating

HIC in H2S Saturated Solution A

For the purpose of this specification, the test method used for determining the HIC
susceptibility of steels shall be Solution A, as described in NACE Standard TM0284 - 2003,
except as modified in this Appendix. The testing shall be performed using the apparatus given
in Figure 3 of this specification, using glass vessels or other inert materials. All test batches
shall include a control sample with demonstrated HIC-sensitivity, i.e., average CLR exceeding
20%. Additions, deletions, or modifications to NACE TM0284-2003 are given below. The
sections referenced below are as those given in NACE TM0284 - 2003.

Section 1 - General

Modify (B.1.2) The test method consists of exposing unstressed test specimens to a
standard test solution – Solution A, sodium chloride (NaCl), acetic acid
(CH3COOH) solution saturated with H2S at ambient temperature and
pressure.

Modify (Paragraph 1.4) Acceptance criteria are as given in paragraph 7.1.4 of this
specification.

Section 2 - Reagents

Modify (B.2.1) The reagents for Solution A shall be nitrogen gas for purging, H2S
gas, NaCl, CH3COOH and distilled or deionized water. The used nitrogen
shall be minimum industrial grade, 99.5% pure.

Caution: H2S is extremely toxic and must be handled with extreme care
(see Appendix A of NACE TM0284).

Modify (B.2.3) The gases shall be reagent grade or chemically pure. The purity of
the H2S gas shall be certified to be 99.5% minimum. H2S gas generated
from chemical reactions, e.g., Kipps apparatus, is not acceptable as a source
of H2S gas.

Delete Paragraph 2.4

Section 4 - Test Specimens

Add Plate and Coil Steels for Linepipe:

A. If the steel is produced by continuous casting, only one set of three

specimens is required: One near each edge and one at the center (total
of 3 coupons). The long axis of the coupons shall be parallel to the
rolling direction of the plate.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

B. If the steel is produced by the ingot method, two sets of three

specimens shall be tested, the sets being taken from opposite ends of
the plate: One near each edge and one at the center (total of 6
coupons). The long axis of the coupons shall be parallel to the rolling
direction of the plate.

Pipeline Steels

Add If the steel is produced by continuous casting, only one set of three
specimens is required. If the steel is produced by the ingot method, two sets
of three specimens shall be tested. The sets shall be taken from opposite
ends of the pipe.

Add For small diameter, thin-wall, ERW pipe, an alternative to testing curved
specimens is to remove the specimens from the skelp used to make the pipe.
In this case, testing of the weld area of the finished pipe is not required.
Coupons shall be taken across the width of the skelp as follows: one near
each edge, one near the center, and one halfway between the center and each
of the two edges (total of 5 coupons). The long axis of the coupons shall be
parallel to the rolling direction of the plate. The skelp tested shall be in its
final condition, ready for pipe forming, when the test coupons are removed.

Section 5 - Test Specimens – Pressure Vessel Plate

Add (B.5.2.1) If the steel is produced by continuous casting, only one set of three
specimens is required. If the steel is produced by the ingot method, two sets
of three specimens shall be tested, the sets being taken from opposite ends of
the plate.

Section 7 - Evaluation of Test Specimens

Modify (Paragraph 7.3) Substitute Figure 11 with Figure 2 of this Specification

Add Paragraph 7.3

For each section containing cracks, a photograph shall be taken of the

complete cross-section at a magnification no less than 5X. Higher
magnifications shall be used as necessary to resolve fine cracks.

The defects listed below shall be disregarded.

a) Features such as inclusions that cannot be definitely identified as cracks.
b) Isolated, definitely identifiable cracks shorter than 0.1mm in length.
c) Blisters and their associated cracking which at no point extend more
than 1mm from the inner and outer pipe surfaces of the test specimen.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

If any part extends more than 1 mm from the surfaces, the entire
blister/crack system shall be counted.
d) Isolated longitudinal cracks (i.e., cracks having a thickness less than or
equal to 0.1 mm) having no part more than 1.0 mm from the inner and
outer pipe surfaces of the test specimen. If the cracks are located
partly within 1.0 mm from the surface and partly deeper than 1.0 mm
into the specimen, the entire crack shall be counted.

Modify (Paragraph 7.4) Delete all references to Crack Sensitivity Ratio (CSR)

Section 8 - Reporting of Test Results

The CLR results of the control sample shall be reported.

Delete All paragraphs in Section 8. Replace with the requirements given below.

Add Data to be provided

(B.8.1) Location and dimensions of coupons, and whether taken from pipe
or plate.

(B.8.2) pH of H2S saturated solution at the start and end of the test.

(B.8.3) Chemical composition of material tested, including Al, B, C, Ca, Cr,

Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb, N, P, Si, S, Ti and V.

(B.8.4) Results of cracking evaluation.

(B.8.5) Photomicrographs of metallographically-polished (1 micron finish)

specimens of typical parent material microstructures on a plane with the
same orientation as that used for cracking evaluation:
i) (Unetched) The types of inclusions in the steel
ii) (Etched) Parent material microstructure

The magnification shall be sufficient to clearly show the details being

photographed. Normally a range of 100X to 500X shall be used.

(B.8.6) The Vickers Hardness method shall be performed using a maximum

test load of 5 or 10 kg. Measurements shall be carried out on
metallographically-polished (1 micron finish) specimens and the average
hardness shall not exceed 250 HV.

(B.8.7) Cracks are evaluated according to crack length ratio (CLR) and
crack thickness ratio (CTR) by measuring the total crack length and extend
of stepwise cracking respectively.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Length of stepwise crack: ∑a i Thickness of stepwise crack: ∑b i

n n

∑ ai ∑b i
CLR = i =1
× (100% ) CTR = i =1
× (100% )
W T

A and B considered as two separate cracks

A and B considered as a single crack

Figure 2: Method for Measuring and Evaluating Cracks

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-016
Issue Date: 11 February 2007 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Next Planned Update: 11 February 2012 Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Legends Descriptio

Control

3-Way Control

Pressure Gauge

N2 Gas Cylinder H2S Gas Cylinder

Schematic Not to Scale

N2 H 2S N2/H2S

Purging Line
Solution A

N2

Temp. Test
25 ± 3 °C Specimen

Flow Meter Solution A Glass supports

Perforated plexi glass Trap 10 - 20% NaOH
0 - 2000 cc/min
Support Sintered Disc
Test Solution

Note: The test vessel should be placed in a temperature-controlled bath at 25 ±3°C

Figure 3: HIC Testing Apparatus

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