3. Chemiese integriteit: Koolstofekwivalent en suurdiens

For subsea pipelines, sweisbaarheid is uiters belangrik. Om die hitte-geaffekteerde sone te verseker (Haz) word nie bros nie, die Koolstofekwivalent (EG) is strictly limited.

We typically use the IIW Formula:

For X65QO, $CE_{IIW}$ is usually kept below 0.39, ensuring that offshore welding can be performed with minimal preheating, speeding up the pipe-lay process.

Daarbenewens, because many offshore reservoirs contain $H_2S$, these pipes are often tested for HIC (Hydrogen Induced Cracking) en SSCC (Sulfide Stress Corrosion Cracking). This requires extremely low sulfur levels ($\leq 0.002\%$) and calcium treatment for inclusion shape control (converting elongated sulfides into spherical shapes).