Influence of Key Parameters on NACE Standard TM0177 DCB Sour Gas Test

New oil and gas fields with increasing pressure, temperature, and H2S concentrations require higher standards of steel qualities. Recent investigations show that the production of SSC-resistant steels with increasing strength is necessary.
The NACE Standard TM0177-2005 allows tolerances for the manufacturing of Method D specimens. It is also possible to test with different arm displacements in a given range and to choose between a slot with a chevron crack starter or an electro discharge-machined slot. Furthermore also precracking is allowed resulting in a change of initial crack length.
Experiments were designed to investigate effects of initial crack length, precracking, arm displacement, and notch type on KISSC. All parameters were tested with a modified T95 quality regarding the NACE Standard TM0177 Method D, Solution A, and 100 % H2S. Characterization after testing was done by optical microscopy. Edge cracks were determined by a 3 dimensional optical device Infinite Focus AliconaTM.
Influences of arm displacement, initial crack length, precracking, and notch type are critically discussed with respect to the KISSC.