HIC(As per ISO 15156-1):

Hydrogen-induced cracking HIC planar cracking that occurs in carbon and low alloy steels when atomic
hydrogen diffuses into the steel and then combines to form molecular hydrogen at trap sites NOTE
Cracking results from the pressurization of trap sites by hydrogen. No externally applied stress is needed
for the formation of hydrogen-induced cracks. Trap sites capable of causing HIC are commonly found in
steels with high impurity levels that have a high density of planar inclusions and/or regions of
anomalous microstructure (e.g. banding) produced by segregation of impurity and alloying elements in
the steel. This form of hydrogen-induced cracking is not related to welding.

Sour Service(As per ISO 15156-1):

Exposure to oilfield environments that contain H2S and can cause cracking of materials by the
mechanisms addressed by this part of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156

Reference Standards:
SP2041 (Rev 4) : Specification for cracking resistant materials in H2S containing environment

NACE Standard TM0284-2003: Evaluation of pipeline and pressure vessel steels for resistance to HIC.

DEP 30.10.02.16: HIC Sensitivity Test, Amendments to NACE TM0284

Removal of Specimen
Each specimen shall be 100 mm long by 20 mm wide

The test specimen location shall be at one end, mid-width of the plate, with the longitudinal axis of the
test specimen parallel to the principal rolling direction of the plate.

The test specimen thickness shall be full thickness of the plate, upto a maximum of 30 mm.

For plates upto 30mm thick, inclusive, three test specimens shall be taken.
Calculation of CLR, CSR and CTR

Test Duration
The test duration shall be 96 hours. The test shall begin immediately upon the completion of the 60-
minute H2S introduction period.

Acceptance Criteria
After HIC testing, if any section of the sample reveals vertical cracks (perpendicular to the rolling
direction) greater than 0.5 mm the test shall be deemed to have failed.
The following minimum acceptance criteria for HIC for sour service vessels shall apply. Table 2:
Acceptance criteria sour service shall be as follows:

(% maximum)
CLR CTR CSR
Average per specimen 15 5 2

If any specimen fails to meet any of the above acceptance criteria, the heat of steel represented by the
test shall be rejected.

The maximum individual crack length on any section shall not exceed 5 mm.