Offshore projects process and produce hydrocarbons all around the globe. Offshore projects are most often set up in extreme environments. They also constitute around 30% of the world’s crude oil production. However, the saline environment of the aquatic water bodies makes the requirement of longevity and high safety standards compulsory for building offshore platforms. Check out machining works Malaysia to know more details about stainless steel fabrication.
The infrastructure of offshore applications is most often susceptible to the salts present in the air and water. Thus, if conventional steel structures made of carbon are used, they suffer from frequent corrosion. Therefore, maintenance of the offshore facilities requires heavy upkeep and maintenance regularly.
On the other hand, if stainless steel is used, it guarantees to be perfect for offshore applications that are heavy-duty. Stainless steel is known to be corrosion resistant. Even in the case of the coastal and marine environment, it can hold its own. Stainless steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it perfect for use in infrastructural applications. It also has a long design life. The elevated design life of stainless steel, and high resistance towards extreme pressures and temperatures, make stainless steel the perfect material for use in offshore applications.
Life cycle cost
Since stainless steel is relatively light, it leads to a weight reduction of the structure. Weight reduction acts as a significant driver in the installation process of offshore structures. If the weight reduces, the cost of building the facility would be less. It would also allow for the installation of more production equipment and drill pipes required for gas and oil exploration and production. Are you looking to get stainless steel fabrication down? Check out staircase Malaysia.
Grades of steel used for offshore applications
The stainless steel grade of SS 316L is used for offshore applications. It provides strength at extremely high temperatures and protects the structure against any acidic environment. The authentic grades of steel containing 6% molybdenum are used to design systems that are permanently immersed in the seawater.
Due to the global changes in nickel prices, the stainless steel grade of the duplex has taken over the place of austerity grades. Due to the excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, duplex steel grades make an excellent choice in the case of offshore applications. UNS s32205 duplex steel grade has proven its efficiency in heavy-duty offshore tasks. However, this new generation of duplex stainless steel has shown a property similar to the seawater corrosion-resistant grades of austenitic stainless steel.
The duplex grade of stainless steel can be distinguished by high levels of molybdenum, chromium, nickel, and nitrogen, which improves resistance against pitting and crevice corrosion. Some examples of the duplex grades that are in use in the case of offshore installations are UNS S32760 and UNS S32750. These are used for building submerged components.
Despite stainless steel being an improved alternative to carbon steel, it is crucial to understand that the best stainless steel grades must be chosen for long life and cost-efficient setup.
