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High Strength Steel Material For Oil Wells And Oil Well Pipe

Abstract: This high strength steel material for oil wells has a chemical composition which includes in mass% 0.70 1.8% of C 0.05 1.00% of Si 12.0 25.0% of Mn 0.003 0.06% of Al not more than 0.03% of P not more than 0.03% of S not more than 0.10% of N over 0.5% but not more than 2.0% of V 0 2.0% of Cr 0 3.0% of Mo 0 1.5% of Cu 0 1.5% of Ni 0 0.5% of Nb 0 0.5% of Ta 0 0.5% of Ti 0 0.5% of Zr 0 0.005% of Ca 0 0.005% of Mg and 0 0.015% of B the remainder comprising Fe and impurities and which satisfies [0.6=C 0.18V 0.06Cr<1.44]. The metallographic structure substantially comprises an austenite single phase. V carbides having a circle equivalent diameter of 5 100 nm are present in a number density of at least 20/µm. The yield strength is at least 654 MPa.

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Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
26 April 2017
Publication Number
37/2017
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
METALLURGY
Status
Email
Parent Application
Patent Number
Legal Status
Grant Date
2023-07-31
Renewal Date

Applicants

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
6 1 Marunouchi 2 chome Chiyoda ku Tokyo 1008071

Inventors

1. KOBAYASHI Kenji
c/o NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION 6 1 Marunouchi 2 chome Chiyoda ku Tokyo 1008071
2. TOMIO Yusaku
c/o NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION 6 1 Marunouchi 2 chome Chiyoda ku Tokyo 1008071

Specification

DESCRIPTION HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL MATERIAL FOR OIL WELLAND OIL COUNTRY TUBULAR GOODS TECHNICALFIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a high-strength steel material for oil well and oil country fubular goods, and more particularly, to a high-strength steel material for oil well excellent in sulfide stress cracking resistance, which is used in oil well and gas well environments and the like environments containing hydrogen sulfide (HzS) and oil country tubular goods using the same, BACKGROLIND ART [0002] ln oil wells and gas wells (hereinafter, collectively referred simply as "oil wells") of crude oil, natural gas, and the like containing HzS, sulfide stress-corrosion cracking (hereinafter, referred to as "SSC") of steel in wet hydrogen sulfide environments poses a problem, and therefore oil country tubular goods excellent in SSC resistance are needed. In recent years, the strengthening of low-alloy sour-resistant oil country tubular goods used in casing applications has been advanced. [0003] The SSC resistance deteriorates sharply with the increase in steel strength. Therefore, conventionally, steel materials capable of assuring SSC resistance in the environment of NACE solutionA (NACE T}l/:0l77-2005) containing 1-bar HzS, which is the general evaluation condition, have been steel materials of ll0 ksi grade (yield strength: 758 to 862 MPa) or lower. ln many cases, higher-strength steel materials of 125 ksi grade (yield strength: 862to 965 MPa) and 140 ksi grade (yield strength: 965 to 1069 MPa) can only assure SSC resistance under a limited HzS partial pressure (for example, 0.1 bar or lower). It is thought that, in the future, the corrosion environment will become more and more hostile due to larger depth of oil well, so that oil country tubular goods having higher strength and higher corrosion resistance must be developed. [0004] The SSC is a kind of hydrogen embrittlement in which hydrogen generated on the surface of steel material in a corrosion environment diffuses in the steel, and resultantly the steel material is rupfured by the synergetic effect with the stress applied to the steel material. ln the steel material having high SSC susceptibility, cracks are generated easily by a low load stress as compared with the yield strength of steei material. [000s] Many studies on the relationship between metal micro-structure and SSC resistance of low-alloy steel have been conducted so far. Generally, it is said that, in order to improve SSC resistance, it is most effective to turn the metal micro-structure into a tempered martensitic structure, and jt is desirable to tum the metal micro-structure into a fine grain structure. [0006] For example, Patent Document I proposes a method which refines the crystal grains by applying rapid heating means such as induction heating when the steel is heated. Also, Patent Document 2 proposes a method which refines the crystal grains by quenching the steel twice. Besides, for example, Patent Document 3 proposes a method which improve the steel performance by making the structure of steel materiai bainitic. All of the object steels in many conventional techniques described above each have a metal micro-strucfure consisting mainly of tempered martensite, ferrite, or bainite. [0007] The tempered martensite or ferrite, which is the main structure of the abovedescribed low-alloy steel, is of a body-centered cubic system (hereinafter, referred to as a "BCC"). The BCC structure inherentlyhas high hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility. Therefore, for the steel whose main strucfure is tempered martensite or ferrite, it is very diffrcult to prevent SSC completely. In particular, as described above, SSC susceptibility becomes higher with the increase in strength. Therefore, it is said that to obtain a high-strength steel material excellent in SSC resistance is a problem most difficult to solve for the low-alloy steei. [0008] ln contrast, if a highly corrosion resistant alloy such as stainless steel or high-Ni alloy having an austenitic structure ofa face-centered cubic system (hereinafter, referred to as an "FCC"), which inherently has low hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility, is used, SSC can be prevented. Howeve¡ the austenitic steel generally has a low strength as is solid solution treated. Also, in order to obtain a stable austenitic structure, usually, a large arnount of expensive component element such as Ni must be added, so that the production cost of steel material increases remarkably. [000e] Manganese is known as an austenite stabilizing element. Therefore, the use of austenitic steel containing much Mn as a material for oil country fubular goods in piace of expensive Ni has been considered. Patent Document 4 discloses a steel that contains C: l.2o/o or less, Mn: 5 to 45o/o, and the like and is strengthened by cold working. Also, Patent Document 5 discloses a technique in which a steel containing C: 0.3 to l.6Yo,Mn: 4 to 35o/o, Cr: 0.5 fo 20o/o,Y: 0.2 to 4o/o, Nb: 0.2 To 4%o, and the like is used, and the steel is strengthened by precipitating carbides in the cooling process after solid solution treatment. Further, Patent Document 6 discloses a technique in which a steel containing C: 0.10 to I.2o/o, Mn: 5.0 to 45.0%o, V: 0.5 to2.00/0, and the like is subjected to aging treatment after solid solution treatment, and the steel is strengthened by precipitating V carbides. LIST OF PzuORART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENT [0010] Patent Document l: JP61-95194 Patent Document 2: JP59-232220A Patent Document 3: JP63-93822A Patent Document 4: JPL0-121202A Patent Document 5: JP60-39150A Patent Document 6: JP9-249940/' DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BYTHE INVENTION [0011] Since the austenitic steel generally has a low strength, in Patent Document 4, a yield stress a bit larger than I00 kgf/mmz is attained by performing cold working of 40% working ratio. However, the result of study conducted by the present inventors revealed that, in the steel of Patent Document 4, o' martensite is formed by strain induced transformation due to the increase in degree of cold working, and the SSC resistance is sometimes deteriorated. Also, there will be a problem of lacking an ability of a rolling mill with the increase in degree of cold working, so that there remains room for improvement. [0012] In contrast, Patent Documents 5 and 6 intend to strengthen a steel by a precipitation of carbides. Precipitation strengthening by aging dispenses with the need of increasing the performance of cold rolling equipment. Therefore, austenitic steels, in which a stable austenite structure can be maintained even after precipitation strengthening by aging, can be promising in view of SSC resistance. [0013] The evaluation of the SSC resistance of a steel material for oil well is relatively frequently carried out with a constant load test (e.g., NACE TM0177-2005 Method A). However, in recent years, evaluations based on DCB test (e,g,, NACE TM0I71-2005 Method D) have been emphasized. [0014] ln parlicular, when an austenitic steel is subjected to transformation into a BCC structure such as an ctr martensite by strain induced transformation, the deterioration of SSC resistance remarkably occurs. In an austenitic steel, strain induced transformation may possibly occur in a stress concentrating zone in the vicinity of a crack front end. Also from such a viewpoint, SSC resistance evaluation by DCB test, which uses a test ì): specimen in which a defect portion is included in advance, is particularly important for austenitic steels. [00 I 5] ln Patent Documents 5 and 6, the SSC resistance evaluation by DCB test has not been performed, and there are concems about SSC resistance in a stress concentrating zone such as the vicinity ofa crack front end. 100 r 6l An object of the present invention is to provide a precipitation-strengthened high-strength steel material for oil well that exhibits an excellent SSC resistance (a calculated value of Krssc is large) in DCB test, has a yield strength of 95 ksi (654 MPa) or higheq and has a general conosion resistance as much as those of low-alloy steels. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS [0017] The present inventors conducted SSC resistance evaluation using DCB test, and conducted studíes of a method for obtaining a steel material for which the problems with prior art are overcome, and which has an excellent SSC resistance in DCB test and a high yield strength. As the result, the present inventors came to obtain the following findings. [0018] (A) To improve SSC resistance in DCB test, a steel material is required to contain a large amount of C and Mn, which are austenite phase stabilizing elements, more specifically, to contain 0.7o/o or more of C and I2%o or more of Mn. [001e] (B) To precipitation-strengthen a steel material, it is effective to utilize V carbides. For this reason, the steel material is required to contain more than 0.5% of V. [0020] (C) In contrast, a V consumes a dissolved C, making an austenite unstable. In addition, in order to stabilize an austenite, it is desired to avoid coexistence with excessive Cr. For this reason, it is required that the amount of effective C expressed by C - 0. 18V - 0.06Cr is 0.6% or more. [0021] The present invention has been accompiished on the basis of the above-described findings, and involves the high-strength steel material for oil well and oil country tubular goods described below. 100221 (1) A high-strength steel material for oil well having a chemical composition consisting, by mass percent, of C: 0.70 to l.8o/o, Si: 0.05 to 1.00%, Mn: 12.0 to25.0%o, Al: 0.003 to 0.06%o, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03% or less, N: 0.10% or less, V: more than 0.5% and2.0%o or less, Cr: 0 to 2.00/0, Mo: 0 ro 3.0Yo, Cu: 0 to i.5o%, Ni: 0 to 1.5%, Nb: 0 to 0.5%, Ta: 0 to 0.5o/o, Ti: 0 to 0.5% Zr:0 To 0.5Yo, Ca: 0 to 0.005%, Mg: 0 to 0.005%, B: 0 to 0.015%, the balance: Fe and impurities, satisfying the following formula (i), wherein a metal micro-structure is consisting essentially of an austenite single phase, V carbides having circle equivalent diameters of 5 to 100 nm exist at a number density of 20 pieces l¡tmz or higher, and a yield strength is 654 MPa or higher; 0.6 3C+10.6 ...(ii) where the symbois of elements in the formula each represent the content of each element (mass%) contained in the steel material. As described above, the present invention intend to strengthen the steel by performing an aging treatment and precipitating carbides. However, if pearlite transformation occurs during an aging treatment, the corrosion resistance can be remarkably decreased. Mn and C are elements that have an effect on a temperature for forming pearlite, and in the case where the formula (ii) in the relation of both elements is not satisfied, there is a risk that pearlite transformation occurs depending on an aging treatment condition. Therefore, it is desirable to satisfy the formula (íi). [00ss] 2. Metal micro-structure As described above, if a' martensite and ferrite each having a BCC structure are intermixed in the metal micro-structure, the SSC resistance is deteriorated. Therefore, in the present invention, the metal micro-structure consists essentially of an austenite single phase. [00s6] In the present invention, as a structure consisting essentially of an austenite single phase, the intermixing of c¿' martensite and ferrite of less lhan 0.1o/o, by total volume fraction, besides an FCC strucfure serving as a matrix of steel is allowed. And also the intermixing of e martensite of an HCP structure is allowed. The volume fraction of e martensite is preferably I0% or less, more preferably 2%o or less. [00s7] Since the c¿' martensite and ferrite exist in the metal micro-structure as fine crystals, it is diffrcult to measure the volume fraction thereof by means of X-ray diffraction, microscope observation or the like- Therefore, in the present invention, the t7 total volume fraction of the structure having a BCC structure is rneasured by using a fenite meter. [00s8] As described above, steel materials of an austenite single phase generally have iow strengths. For this reason, in the present invention, a steel material is strengthened by, in particular, the precipitation ofV carbides. V carbides are precipitated inside the steel material and make a dislocation diffrcult to move, which contributes to the strengthening. If V carbides have circle-equivalent diameters of less than 5 nrn, they do not serye as obstructions to the movement of a dislocation. On the other hand, if V carbides become coarse to have a size of 100 nm in terms of circle-equivalent diameter, the number of V carbides extremely decreases, and thus the V carbides do not contribute to the strengthening. Therefore, the sizes of carbides suitable to subject a steel material to precipitation strengthening are 5 to 100 nm. [00se] ln order to obtain a yield strength of 654 MPa or higher in a stable manner, it is required that the V carbides having circle-equivalent diameters of 5 to 100 nm exist, in a steel micro-structure, at a number density of 20 pieces /¡tmz or higher. The method for measuring the number density of V carbides is not subject to any special restriction, but for example, the measurement can be carried out by the following method. A thin film having a thickness of 100 nm is prepared from the inside of a steel material (central portion of wall thickness), the thin film is observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the number of V carbides having the circle-equivalent diameter of 5 to 100 nm, included in a visual field of I pm square, is counted. It is desirable that the measurement of the number density is carried out in a plurality of visual fields, and the average value thereof is calculated. If it is desired to achieve a yield strength of 689 MPa or higher, V carbides having circle-equivalent diameters of 5 to 100 nm desirably exist at a number density of 50 pieces/¡lmz or higher. [0060] 3. Mechanical properties At a strength level less than 654 MPa, even typical low-alloy steels can ensure 18 sufücient SSC resistances. However, as described above, since the SSC resistance drastically decreases with the increase in the strength of a steel, the combination of a high strength and an excellent SSC resistance is difficult to be achieved by a low-alloy steel. Thus, in the present invention, a yield strength is limited to 654 MPa or higher. The steel material according to the present invention can achieve the combination of a high yield strength of 654 MPa or higher and an excellent SSC resistance in DCB test. To enhance the above-described advantage, the yield strength of the high-strength steel material for oil well according to the present invention is preferably 689 MPa or higher, more preferably, 758 MPa or higher. [0061] In the present invention, being excellent in SSC resistance in DCB test means that a value of Krssc calculated in DCB test specified in NACE TM0I77-2005 is 35 MPa/mo's or moïe. [0062] 4. Production method The method for producing the steel material according to the present invention is not subject to any special restriction as far as the above-described strength can be given by the method. For example, the method described below can be employed. [0063] Concerning melting and casting, a method carried out in the method for producing general austenitic steel materials can be employed, and either ingot casting or continuous casting can be used. In the case where seamless steel pipes are produced, a steel may be cast into a round billet form for pipe making by round continuous casting. [0064] After casting, hot working such as forging, piercing, and rolling is performed. In the production of seamless steel pipes, in the case where a circular billet is cast by the round continuous casting, processes of forging, blooming, and the like for forming the circular billet are uTrnecessary. ln the case where the steel material is a seamless steel 19 pipe, after the piercing process, rolling is performed by using a mandrel mill or a plug mill. Also, in the case where thc steel material is a plate material, the process is such that, after a slab has been rough-rolled, finish rolling is performed. The desirable conditions of hot working such as piercing and rolling are as described below. [006s] The heating of billet may be performed to a degree such that hot piercing can be performed on a piercing-rolling mill; however, the desirable temperature range is 1000 to 1250"C. The piercing-rolling and the rolling using a mill such as a mandrel mill or a plug mill are also not subject to any special restriction. However, from the viewpoint of hot workability, specifically, to prevent surface defects, it is desirable to set the finishing temperature at 900"C or higher. The upper limit of finishing temperature is also not subj ect to any special restriction; however, the finishing temperature is preferably 1 1 00"C or lower. [0066] In the case where a steel plate is produced, the heating temperature of a slab or the like is enough to be in a temperature range in which hot rolling can be performed, for example, in the temperature range of 1000 to 1250oC. The pass schedule of hot rolling is optional, However, considering the hot workability for reducing the occurrence of surface defects, edge cracks, and the like ofthe product, it is desirable to set the finishing temperature at 900"C or higher. The finishing temperature is preferably 1100"C or lower as in the case of seamless steel pipe. [0067] The steei material having been hot-worked is heated to a temperature enough for carbides and the like to be dissolved completely, and thereafter is rapidly cooled. In this case, the steel material is rapidly cooled after being held in the temperature range of 1000 to 1200'C for 10 min or longer. If the solid solution heat treatment temperature is lower than 1000"C, V carbides cannot be dissolved completely, so that in some cases, it is difficult to obtain a yield strength of 654 MPa or higher because of insuffrcient precipitation strengthening. On the'other hand, if the solid solution heat treatment 20 temperature is higher than 1200'C, in some cases, aheterogeneous phase of ferrite and the like, where SSC tends to be generated, is precipitated. Also, if the holding time is shorter than 10 min, the effect of solutionizing is insufficient, so that in some cases, desired high strength, that is, yield strength of 654 MPa or higher cannot be attained. [0068] The upper limit of the holding time depends on the size and shape of steel material, and cannot be determined unconditionally. Anyway, the time for soaking the whole of steel material is necessary. From the viewpoint of reducing the production cost, too long time is undesirable, and it is proper to usually set the time within I h. Also, in order to prevent carbides, other intermetaliic compounds, and the like from precipitating during cooling, the steel material is desirably cooled at a cooling rate higher than the oil cooling rate. [006e] The above-described lower limit value of the holding time is holding time in the case where the steel material is reheated to the temperature range of 1000 to 1200"C after the steel material having been hot-worked has been cooled once to a temperafure lower than 1000'C. However, in the case where the finish temperature of hot working (flrnishing temperature) is made in the range of 1000 to l200oC, if supplemental heating is performed at that temperature for 5 min or longer, the same effect as that of solid solution heat treatment performed under the above-described conditions can be achieved, so that rapid cooling can be performed as it is without reheating. Therefore, the lower limit value of the holding time in the present invention includes the case where the finish temperature of hot working (finishing temperature) is made in the range of 1000 to 1240"C, and supplemental heating is performed atThaftemperature for 5 min or longer. [0070] The steel material having been solid solution heat treated is subjected to aging treatment in order to enhance the strength of the steel by precipitating V carbides finely. The effect of aging treatment (age-hardening) depends on heating temperature and holding time at the heating temperature. Basically, the higher a heating temperature is, 2l the shorter a holding time required is. And so heating treatment at low temperature requires long holding time. Therefore, heating temperature and holding time can be adjusted appropriately so as to obtain desired strength. As a heating treatment condition, it is preferable to hold the steel in the temperattre range of 600 to 800eC for 30 min or longer. [007r] if the heating temperature for aging treatment is lower than 600oC, precipitation of V carbides becomes insufficient, making it difficult to assure yield strength of 654 MPa or higher. On The other hand, if the heating temperafure is higher than 800oC, V carbides are easily dissolved and cannot be precipitated. Therefore, the above described yieid strength cannot be attained. [0072] Also, if the holding time for aging treatment is shorter than 30 min, precipitation of V carbides becomes insuffrcient, making it diffrcult to assure the above described yield strength. The upper limit of the holding time is not limited, but it is appropriate lobe 7 h or shorter. It wastes energy to keep the heat after the effect of precipitation hardening is safurated. The steel material having been aging treated may be allowed to cool. [0073] Hereunder, the present invention is explained more specificaliy with reference to examples; however, the present invention is not limited to these examples. EXAMPLE 1 100741 Twenty-two kinds of steels of A to N and AA to AH having the chemical compositions given in Table 1 were melted in a 50 kg vacuum fumace to produce ingots. Each of the ingots was heated at 1180'C for 3 h, and thereafter was forged and cut by electrical discharge cutting-off Thereafter, the cut ingot was fuither soaked at ll50'C for I h, and was hot-rolled into a plate material having a thickness of 20 mm. Further, the plate material was subjected to solid solution heat treatment (water cooling after the heat treatment) at 1100"C for t h. Subsequently, the age-hardening treatment was 22 performed under the conditions shown in Table 2 to obtain a test material. [007s] For steels A to C, a plurality of samples were prepared and subjected to aging treatment under the various temperature conditions of 600 to 850oC, aside from the treatrnent under the condition shown in Table 2, in order to investigate the relationship between heating temperature for aging treatment and yield strength. The holding time for aging treatment was 3 h for steel A, 10 h for steel B and 20 h for steel C regardless of heating temperature. 100761 Steels AI and AJ having the chemical compositions given in Table i were conventional low-alloy steels, which were prepared for comparison. Two kinds of the steels were melted in a 50 kg vacuum fumace to produce ingots. Each of the ingots was heated at I 180oC for 3 h, and thereafter was forged and cut by electrical discharge cuttingoff. Thereafter, the cut ingot was fuither soaked at 1150oC for I h, and was hot-rolled into a plate material having a thickness of 20 mm. Further, the plate material was subjected to quenching treatment in which the plate material was held at 950"C for 15 min and then cooled rapidly. Subsequently, the plate material was subjected to tempering treatment in which the plate material was held at705oC to obtain a test material. 100771 [Table 1] ¿J A B c c L.4l D LM Si u. /) 0.29 F 0.91 0.3t 0.89 G Mn 0.33 16. l3 0.93 H 0.r6 17.95 1.22 I 0.r3 AI 20.æ J r.t7 0.14 0.018 I8.lt l.I8 0.033 0.u L 17.86 P l.0t 0.0D 0.25 lÀ.) 0.0r2 17.98 M 0.97 0.019 0.n 0.01I N 22.07 1.03 S 0.40 0.025 0.014 0.004 Alt 21.98 t.26 0.020 0.39 0.01I 0.004 AB 2t.u t.25 0.37 0.013 N 0.01| AC 0.005 0.59 i 14.r0 0.u2t 0.5t 0.018 0.009 0.005 AD r3.86 0.018 0.75 0.50 0.0I7 0.010 0.006 AE t3.77 0.016 0.9r 0.25 0.03t Chemical compoaition (in mass%, balanco: Fe and impuitics 0.010 t.78 AT' 0.006 0.015 0.88 8.10 0.025 0:u 0.0t2 t.02 0.004 AG 0.76 0.013 Cr 0.033 o.27 0.01I AH 0.54 0.007 v2 0.74 0.u22 0.42. 0.34 0.0r0 U2 0.79 0_006 AI 0.n 0.0t4 0.33 0.021 0.011 0.8r AJ t4 Mo 0.008 0.0t6 1.02 Table I 8.æ | 0.019 0.33 0.013 0.8r 0.007 28.10 0.0t9 0.29 + indbates tlut conditiom do not satisfr tlrose dcfined by the prescnt invention. 0.98 0.022 0.35 0.0r4 0.008 t. l9 0.31 t4.o2 0.064 0.021 0.35 Cu 0.01 I 0.006 13.88 0.040 .20 0.018 0.31 0.0t2 0.006 0.023 14.08 .23 0.026 0.30 0.012 0.006 0.94 15.89 0.021 .03 Ni 0.025 0.013 0.005 .m 0.0t 5 0.51 ' 0.û2r 0.012 0.005 0.98 0.033 0.48 0.018 Nb 0.0t4 0.006 t.92 0.029 0.52 0.033 o.44 0.0t2 0.004 t.96 0.031 0.026 0.013 Ta 0.006 0.58 0.01I 0.010 0.007 ) 1.88 0.46 0.0t2 0.48 0.010 0.81 0_m4 0.011 Ti 0.80 0.00t 0.013 0.40 0.00t 0.0r4 Zr 0.29 o.7t 0.005 0.89 0.79 0.004 Ca 0.77 4.18, 0.27 0.1 I 0.121 0. l9 0.m2 t.m 3.95 ' 0,002 D l.2t 0,003 0.72 0.21 C-0.18V-0.06Cr 0.99 1.95 * 1.æ 0.002 0.84 1.98 t 0.002 0-65 3C+10.6 0.71 14.83 0.'t4 0.03 0.78 3.$) 0.03 0.001 l.0t 85 0.95 JJ 0.96 27 0.82 3.39 o.76 4.26 0.85 4.tl 0.91 14.14 0.90 3.63 0.49 * .5t 0.41 3.69 0.76 .38 0.74 4.35 0.69 2.37 0.36 * 2.85 0.63 3.33 0.88 3.24 o.2t + o.2,+ 2.n 12.91 t3.6 1t.47 l 1.53 [0078] [Table 2] Table 2 Test No. Steel Aging teaûrent condition The number densrty of V carbides (pieces/¡rm2) Yield strength QúPa) KIr.c (MPa'mo 5; scc resist¿¡ce Heating temperatwe cc) Holding time (h) Co¡rosron rate G/m'th) 700 3 >50 910 47.2 1.1 o Inventive example B 650 t0 >50 833 39. I ) o J L 650 20 >50 708 36.9 .4 ô 4 D 650 l0 >50 791 36.8 4 o 5 E 650 l0 >50 809 37.1 3 o 6 F 650 l0 >50 798 36.6 4 o 't G '7æ 3 >50 832 Æ.1 2 o 8 H 700 3 >50 821 44.1 2 o 9 I 7æ 3 >50 824 40.8 l.l o 0 J 650 l0 >50 849 37.8 1.3 o I K 650 r0 >50 833 1b4 t.4 o 2 L 6s0 l0 >50 838 38. I 1.3 o 3 M 800 40 64 39. I ô t4 N 800 20 7* 610 { 38.2 o Comparative example ) 650 t0 >50 67 33.3 3 o o AB 7æ J >50 810 33.9 2 o 7 AC 650 IO >50 788 32.8 o 8 AD* 6s0 t0 >50 769 36.3 6 o 9 AE 650 10 15 * @7+ 35.7 2 ô 20 AF 6s0 l0 >50 '782 34.8 2 21 AG 650 l0 >50 825 36.8 tl x 22 AH "I 6s0 l0 >50 u2 37.3 Ll 23 AI *I 745 30.3 no o )A AJfI 733 29.6 0.8 o t indicates that conditions do not satisfo those delrred by fhe present invention [007e] On the obtained test materials of Nos. I to 22, excluding low-alloy steels, first, the total volume ratio of ferrite and cr' martensite was measured by using a ferrite meter (model number: FE8e3) manufactured by Helmut Fischer, but could not be detected on all of the test specimens. The test materials were also analyzed by X-ray diffraction to measure cr' martensite and e martensite, However, on all of the test specimens, the existence of these kinds of maftensite could not be detected. 100801 25 Also, a thin film having a thickness of 100 nm was prepared from the test material, the thin film was observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the number of V carbides having the circle-equivalent diameter of 5 to 100 nm, included in a visual field of I pm square, was counted. [0081] Furthermore, from each of the steels, a round-bar tensile test specimen having a parallel part measuring 6 mm in outside diameter and 40 mm in length was sampled. A tension test was conducted at normal temperature (25"C), whereby the yield strength YS (0.2% yield stress) (MPa) was determined. [0082] Figure I is a graph showing the relationship between heating temperafures for aging treatment and yield strengths with respect to the steels A to C. As can be seen from Figure 1, optimum heating temperatures exist corresponding to the compositions of the steels and holding times in aging treatment. The steel A has a high V content of L41% and high yield strengths can be thus ensured within a wide temperature range from 600 to 800"C even by providing an aging treatment in a short time of 3 h. ln contrast, the steel C has a relatively low V content of 0.75Yo, but it can be seen that, a lowtemperature condition, which is 650"C or less, allows a yield strength of 654 MPa or more to be ensured by providing aging treatrnent in a long time of 20 h. [0083] Subsequently, using the test materials, SSC resistance in DCB test, SSC resistance in constant load test, SCC resistance, and corrosion rate were examined. [0084] First, to evaluate SSC resistance, the DCB test specified in NACE TMO 177-2005 was conducted. The thickness of a wedge was 3.1 mm, the wedge was inserted into a test specimen before being immersed in a solution A specified in the test standard (5%NaCI + 0.5%CHsCOOH aqueous solution, HzS saturated at I bar), at24"C for 336 h, and thereafter, the value of Klssc was calculated based on a wedge releasing stress and the length of a crack. [008s] 26 The SSC resistance in constant load test was evaluated as described below. A plate-shaped smooth test specimen was sampled, and a stress corresponding to 90% of yield strength was applied to one surface of the test specimen by four-point bending method. Thereafter, the test specimen was immersed in a test solution, that is, the same solution A as described above, and was held at 24"c for 336 h. Subsequently, it was judged whether or not rupture occurred. As a result, no rupture occurs in all of the test materials. [0086] Concerning the SCC resistance as well, a plate-shaped smooth test specimen was sampled, and a stress corresponding to 90%o of yield strength was applied to one surface of the test specimen by four-point bending method. Thereafter, the test specimen was immersed in a test solution, that is, the same solution A as described above, and was held in a test environment of 60'C for 336 h. Subsequently, it was judged whether or not rupture occurred. As the result, a not-ruptured steel material was evaluated so that the SCC resistance is good (referred to as "o" in Table 2), and a ruptured steel material was evaluated so that the SCC resistance is poor (refened to as "x" in Table 2). This test solution is a test environment less liable to produce SSC because the temperafure thereof is 60'C and thereby the saturated concentration of HzS in the solution is decreased compared with that at normal temperature. Concerning the test specimen in which cracking occurred in this test, whether this cracking is SCC or SSC was judged by observing the propagation mode of crack under an optical microscope. Concerning the specimen of this test, it was confirmed that, for all of the test specimens in which cracking occurred in the above-described test environment, SCC had occurred. [0087] The reason why the SCC resistance v/as evaluated is as described below As one kind of environment cracks of oil country tubular goods occurring in the oil well, inherently, attention must be paid to SCC (stress corrosion cracking). The SCC is a phenomenon in which cracks are p¡opagated by local corrosion, and is caused by partial fracture of the protection film on the surface of material, grain-boundary segregation of alloying element, and the like. Conventionally, low alloy steel oil country tubular goods 27 having a tempered martensitíc microstructure have scarcely been studied from the view point of the SCC resistance because the corrosion of those advances wholly, and the excessive adding of alloying element that brings about grain-boundary segregation leads to the deterioration in SSC resistance. Furthe¡ sufficient findings have not necessarily been obtained concerning the SCC susceptibility of a steel equivalent or similar to the steei material of the present invention, which has a component system vastly different from that of low-alloy steel, and has austenitic structure. Therefore, an influence of component on the SCC susceptibility and the like must be clarified. [0088] Also, to evaluate the general corrosion resistance, the corrosion rate was determined by the method described below. The above-described test material was immersed in the solution A at normal temperature for 336 h, the corrosion loss was determined, and the corrosion loss was"converted into the average corrosion rate. ln the present invention, the test material that showed the corrosion rate of 1.5 g/(m2'h) or lower was evaluated so that the general corrosion resistance is good. [008e] These results are collectively given in Table 2. From Table 2, iT can be seen that for Test Nos. I to 13, which are example embodiments of the present invention, a yield strength of 654 MPa or higher and a value of Krssc calculated in DCB test of 35 MPa/m0's or more can be provided. Also, the SCC resistance is excellent, and the corrosion rate can be kept at 1.5 gl(mz'h), which is the target value, or lower. [00e0] On the other hand, for Test No. 14, which is comparative example, the precipitation of V carbides was insufficient and a number density was 7 pieces/pm2, which was lower than the lower limit defined in the present invention because the condition of aging treatment was inappropriate, specifically, the heating temperature was too high and the holding time was too long, although the chemical composition satisfied the definition of the present invention. Consequently the yield strength was 610 MPa and the target strength cannot be attained. [00e1] 28 Also, for Test Nos. 15 to 17 in which the effective amount of C or the Mn content was less than the lower limits defined in the present invention, the test result was such that a value of Knsc was lower than 35 MPa/mO s and the SSC resistance in DCB test was poor. It is presumed that the result was due to the formation of q,' maftensite in the region of a crack front end caused by the decrease of austenite stability because of the poverty of the effective amount of C or the Mn content. For Test No. 18 in which the Mn content was more than the defined upper limit, the test result was such that, although the SSC resistance in DCB test was good, the corrosion rate was high, and the general corrosion resistance was poor. [00e2] Further, for Test No. 19 in which the V content was less than the defined lower limit, the test result was such that the precipitation of V carbides was insufficient and the number density was 15 pieces/pm2, which was lower than the lower limit defined in the present invention. Consequently the effect of precipitation strengthening was insufficient and the target strength cannot be attained. For Test No. 20 in which the Cr content was high and thus the effective amount of C was out of the defined range, the test result was such that a value of Krssc was lower than 35 Mpa/mo.s and also the SCC resistance \¡/as poor. And, for Test No. 2l in which the Mo content was out of the defined range and Test No. 22 in which the contents of Cu and Ni were out of the defined ranges, the test results we¡e such that the SCC resistance were poor. [00e3] Figure 2 is a graph showing the relationship between yield strengths and values of Krssc calculated by DCB test with respect to Test Nos. I to 13 satisfying the definition of the present invention, and Test Nos. 23 and 24,whíchare conventional low-alloy steels. It can be seen that the steel material according to the present invention has a high strength which is equal to or larger than that of the conventional low-alloy steel, and is extremely excellent in SSC resistance in DCB test. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [00e4] 29 According to the present invention, a steel material is composed essentially of austenite structure and thus has an excellent SSC resistance in DCB test, and has a high yield strength of 654 MPa or higher by utilizing precipitation strengthening. Therefore, the high-strength steel material for oil well according to the present invention can be used suitably for oil country tubular goods in wet hydrogen sulfide environments. We claim: l. A high-strength steel material for oil weil having a chemical composition consisting, by mass percent, of C: 0.70 to l.Bo/o, Si: 0.05 to 1.00%o, Mn: 12.0 to 25.0yo, Al: 0.003 to 0.06o/o, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03% or less, N: 0.10% or less, V: more than0.5%o and 2.0yo or less, Cr: 0 to 2.0yo, Mo: 0 to 3.0yo, Cu: 0 to 1.5%, Ni: 0 to 1.5%, Nb: 0 to 0.5%, Ta:0 to 0.5%0, Ti: 0 to 0.5%, Zr:0 to 0.5%o, Ca: 0 to 0.005%, Mg: 0 to 0.005%, B: 0 ro O.\t\yo, the balance: Fe and impurities, satisffing the following formula (i), wherein a metal micro-structure is consisting essentially of an austenite single phase, V carbides having circle equivalent diameters of 5 to 100 nm exist at a number density of 20 pieces l¡tm2 or higher, and a yield srrength is 654 Mpa or higher; 31 0,6

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 201717014757-IntimationOfGrant31-07-2023.pdf 2023-07-31
1 PROOF OF RIGHT [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
2 201717014757-PatentCertificate31-07-2023.pdf 2023-07-31
2 Power of Attorney [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
3 Form 5 [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
3 201717014757-ABSTRACT [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
4 Form 3 [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
4 201717014757-CLAIMS [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
5 Form 18 [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
5 201717014757-FER_SER_REPLY [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
6 Drawing [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
6 201717014757-Information under section 8(2) [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
7 Description(Complete) [26-04-2017(online)].pdf_29.pdf 2017-04-26
7 201717014757-certified copy of translation [15-06-2020(online)].pdf 2020-06-15
8 Description(Complete) [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
8 201717014757-FORM 3 [19-03-2020(online)].pdf 2020-03-19
9 201717014757-FER.pdf 2020-03-18
9 201717014757.pdf 2017-04-28
10 201717014757-FORM 3 [12-11-2019(online)].pdf 2019-11-12
10 201717014757-Power of Attorney-040517.pdf 2017-05-05
11 201717014757-Correspondence-250619.pdf 2019-07-11
11 201717014757-OTHERS-040517.pdf 2017-05-05
12 201717014757-Correspondence-040517.pdf 2017-05-05
12 201717014757-OTHERS-250619.pdf 2019-07-11
13 201717014757-AMENDED DOCUMENTS [24-06-2019(online)].pdf 2019-06-24
13 abstract.jpg 2017-06-28
14 201717014757-FORM 13 [24-06-2019(online)].pdf 2019-06-24
14 201717014757-FORM 3 [10-10-2017(online)].pdf 2017-10-10
15 201717014757-FORM 3 [09-04-2018(online)].pdf 2018-04-09
15 201717014757-RELEVANT DOCUMENTS [24-06-2019(online)].pdf 2019-06-24
16 201717014757-FORM 3 [29-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-29
17 201717014757-RELEVANT DOCUMENTS [24-06-2019(online)].pdf 2019-06-24
17 201717014757-FORM 3 [09-04-2018(online)].pdf 2018-04-09
18 201717014757-FORM 3 [10-10-2017(online)].pdf 2017-10-10
18 201717014757-FORM 13 [24-06-2019(online)].pdf 2019-06-24
19 201717014757-AMENDED DOCUMENTS [24-06-2019(online)].pdf 2019-06-24
19 abstract.jpg 2017-06-28
20 201717014757-Correspondence-040517.pdf 2017-05-05
20 201717014757-OTHERS-250619.pdf 2019-07-11
21 201717014757-Correspondence-250619.pdf 2019-07-11
21 201717014757-OTHERS-040517.pdf 2017-05-05
22 201717014757-FORM 3 [12-11-2019(online)].pdf 2019-11-12
22 201717014757-Power of Attorney-040517.pdf 2017-05-05
23 201717014757-FER.pdf 2020-03-18
23 201717014757.pdf 2017-04-28
24 Description(Complete) [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
24 201717014757-FORM 3 [19-03-2020(online)].pdf 2020-03-19
25 Description(Complete) [26-04-2017(online)].pdf_29.pdf 2017-04-26
25 201717014757-certified copy of translation [15-06-2020(online)].pdf 2020-06-15
26 Drawing [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
26 201717014757-Information under section 8(2) [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
27 Form 18 [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
27 201717014757-FER_SER_REPLY [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
28 Form 3 [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
28 201717014757-CLAIMS [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
29 Form 5 [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
29 201717014757-ABSTRACT [14-09-2020(online)].pdf 2020-09-14
30 Power of Attorney [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26
30 201717014757-PatentCertificate31-07-2023.pdf 2023-07-31
31 201717014757-IntimationOfGrant31-07-2023.pdf 2023-07-31
31 PROOF OF RIGHT [26-04-2017(online)].pdf 2017-04-26

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