TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

ALLOY AND STAINLESS STEEL FORGINGS

(AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A182)

MESC SPE 76/212

February 2018

MESC SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

This document is restricted. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of Shell Global
Solutions International B.V., The Netherlands. The copyright of this document is vested in this company. All rights reserved. Neither the whole nor any part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
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PREFACE

MESC (Materials and Equipment Standards and Code) SPE documents reflect the views, at the time of publication, of:
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Shell GSI)
and/or
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. (SIEP)
and/or
other Shell Service Companies.
They are based on the experience acquired during their involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities, and they are supplemented with the experience of Shell Operating Units.
Where appropriate they are based on, or reference is made to, international, regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the recommended standard for good design and engineering practice applied by Shell companies
operating an oil refinery, gas handling installation, chemical plant, oil and gas production facility, or any other such
facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where MESC SPEs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition
at each locality. The system of MESC SPEs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to
adapt the information set forth in MESC SPEs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use MESC SPEs they shall be solely responsible for the quality of work
and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow those practices, which will achieve the same level of
integrity as reflected in the MESC SPEs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting
from his own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.
The right to use MESC SPEs is granted by Shell GSI, in most cases under Service Agreements primarily with Shell
companies and other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Service
Company. Consequently, three categories of users of MESC SPEs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or other Shell Service Company. The use of MESC
SPEs by these Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service
Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorized to use MESC SPEs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether
as part of a Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)
which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI
disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or
person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any MESC SPE,
combination of MESC SPEs or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell
GSI or other Shell Service Company. The benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any
Shell Service Company, or companies affiliated to these companies, that may issue MESC SPEs or require the use of
MESC SPEs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, MESC
SPEs shall not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person
whomsoever and the MESC SPEs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the
user. They shall be returned after use, including any copies, which shall only be made by users with the express prior
written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of MESC SPEs vests in Shell GSI. Users shall arrange for MESC SPEs to
be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how
users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the MESC SPE Administrator in Shell GSI.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ......... 4
1.3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 4
1.4 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION ................................................................... 4
1.5 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE ............................................................................ 5
PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A182/A182M–17 ................................. 6
PART III REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 11
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PART I INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This MESC SPE specifies requirements for alloy and stainless steel forgings.
This specification shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Description,
purchase order or requisition sheet.
This specification only applies to alloy steel forgings to ASTM A182, F5 (5Cr-0.5Mo), F9
(9Cr-1Mo), F11 Class 2 (1.25Cr-0.5Mo) and F22 Class 3 (2.25Cr-1Mo), and stainless steel
forgings to ASTM A182, Grades F304, F304H, F304L, F316, F317L,F321, F321H, F347,
F44, F50-F55, F57-F61, F62 and F65-F67.
This specification is written as amendments and supplements to ASTM A182/A182M–17,
which are covered in Part II of this MESC SPE. The clause numbering of
ASTM A182/A182M–17 has been retained and any amendments are identified as ‘Add’,
‘Modify to read’ or ‘Delete’. Any clauses of ASTM A182/A182M–17 that are not amended or
supplemented by this MESC SPE, shall apply as written.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this MESC SPE is confined to
Shell companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers
nominated by them.
This MESC SPE is intended for use in oil refineries, chemical plants, gas plants, exploration
and production facilities and, where applicable, supply/distribution installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this MESC SPE the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of
the requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all cases
the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this
MESC SPE which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or
local regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the
objective being to obtain agreement to follow this MESC SPE as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.4 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

The previous edition of this MESC SPE was dated February 2017. The change is to
update the requirements for Microstructural testing to remove the ISO/IEC 17025
accredited laboratory, rectify formula for J factor, update definition of lot and update
version of ASTM A182.
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1.5 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Comments on this MESC SPE may be sent to the MESC SPE Administrator at
MESC@shell.com.
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PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A182/A182M–17

5.2 Add Manufacturer shall be qualified according to NORSOK M-650 or through the
TAMAP audit process. NORSOK certification (if applicable) shall be submitted as
part of documentation.
7.1 Add:
Heat treatment procedures shall be subject to statistical process control to
ensure that the final material properties comply with the material standard and
this specification. The process control data and related periodic quality control
checks shall be documented.
7.2 Add:
Forgings in Grades F5, F9, F11 and F22 shall conform to either of the following
two options:
1. The forging shall be supplied in the normalised and tempered condition. The
tempering temperature shall be 740°C±8°C (1365°F±13°F). The tensile
properties shall be in accordance with ASTM A182 (Class 1 where
applicable).
2. The forging shall be supplied in the normalised and tempered condition. The
minimum tempering temperature shall be 720°C (1330°F).
After all processing, one sample from each heat shall undergo three
simulated PWHT cycles at 730°C ±8°C (1345°F ± 14°F) with a holding time
as per ASME B31.3 Table 331.1.1 for each cycle. Tensile tests according to
ASTM A182 shall be performed after each cycle. If results from all tests are
conform ASTM A182, all forgings from that heat are accepted.
For forgings furnished to Grades F5, F9, F11 or F22, supplementary
requirement S2 shall apply.
7.3 Add:
Forgings furnished to Grades F44, F62, F304, F304H, F304L, F316, F321,
F321H or F347 shall be solution heat-treated.
If a stabilised heat treatment is specified, forgings shall be given a stabilising
heat treatment in accordance with supplementary requirement S10 within a
temperature range of 870 °C to 900 °C (1600 °F to 1650 °F) for 4 hours
subsequent to the solution heat treatment. This temperature range and time shall
superceed that specified in supplementary requirement S10.
Alternatively, the Manufacturer may submit a stabilisation heat treatment
procedure for approval to the Principal, and supplementary requirement S4
(corrosion test) shall apply.
Ferritic-austenitic stainless steel forgings shall be solution annealed in
accordance with Table 1, followed by rapid cooling by water quenching.
The transfer time from start of withdrawal of the load from the furnace to
full insertion in the quench bath shall be within 60 seconds.
7.4 Modify to read:
Final heat treatment shall be performed after forging and before machining.
8.1 Add:
For forgings furnished to Grade F316, the following shall apply:
− The carbon content shall not exceed 0.03 %.
For ferritic-austenitic stainless steels forgings (“22Cr and 25Cr”),the following
shall apply:
− For “22Cr” duplex (ferritic-austenitic) stainless steels, the Pitting
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Resistance Equivalent (PREN) shall be 34 or higher, the Mo mass

fraction (wMo) 2.5% or higher and the N fraction (wN) 0.14% or higher.

− For “25Cr” super duplex (ferritic-austenitic) stainless steels, the Pitting

Resistance Equivalent (PREN) shall higher than 40 and the N fraction
(wN) 0.20% or higher.
The PREN shall be calculated as given in Equation (1):
PREN = wCr + 3.3(wMo + 0.5wW) + 16wN (1)
Where:
• wCr is the mass fraction of chromium in the alloy, expressed as
a percentage mass fraction of the total composition;
• wMo is the mass fraction of molybdenum in the alloy, expressed
as a percentage mass fraction of the total composition;
• wW is the mass fraction of tungsten in the alloy, expressed as a
percentage mass fraction of the total composition;
• wN is the mass fraction of nitrogen in the alloy, expressed as a
percentage mass fraction of the total composition.
For forgings furnished to Grade F11, the following shall apply:
The chemical composition shall meet the following additional chemical
requirements by heat analysis:
Element C P S Cu Ni X-bar
Max 0.15 % 0.012 % 0.007 % 0.20 % 0.30 % 14
allowed

X-bar shall be calculated with the following formula:

10P + 5Sb + 4Sn + As
X - bar =
100
in which the units of P, Sb, Sn and As are in ppm.
NOTE: If meeting the above requirement leads to unacceptable lead times or cost increase,
F22 material shall be selected. F11 materials not meeting the above requirement shall not be
accepted.

Except where steam service is designated in the MESC specification for forgings
furnished to Grade F22, the following shall apply:
- The carbon content shall not exceed 0.15 %.
- The phosphorous content shall not exceed 0.010 %.
- The sulphur content shall not exceed 0.010 %.
For forgings furnished to Grade F22 in steam service, the following shall apply:
- J-factor = (Si+Mn) x (P+Sn) x 10000 <180.
8.5 Replace A product analysis shall be made in accordance with ASTM A961 on one
by forging per lot and meet the requirements of Table 2.
One lot is defined as a group of fittings of the same type, size, wall
thickness, manufactured from one heat of material and heat treated in one
batch.
9.1 Add:
For all ferritic-austenitic stainless steels for which no maximum hardness is listed
in Table 3, the maximum acceptable Brinell hardness shall be 310 or Rockwell
hardness HRC 33.
9.2 Add as first sentence:
For all grades with the exeption of ferritic/austenitic stainless steels the
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following applies.
9.4 Replace For all grades exept ferritic/austenitic stainless steels the test specimens
by shall be taken from mid-wall thickness at a section representing the
thickest part of the forging.
For ferritic/austenitic stainless steels specimens shall be taken in
accordance with ISO 17781.
If the forgings are made using closed die which does not allow the inclusion of
prolongations, testing may be carried out on part-finished sacrificial forgings.
The prolongations shall not be removed from the forgings until the heat treatment
has been completed.
9.5.2 Add:
Mechanical tests shall be performed on material after final heat treatment.
Samples for testing shall be taken from one of the following:
a. Random selection of a component of the same size and
geometry, and from the same heat and heat treatment batch;
b. Prolongation of a component;
c. An integral test coupon that is representative of the size and
geometry of the component.
Testing shall be carried out either transverse to the long axis of the forging or
forged test blank or parallel to the long axis of the forging or forged test blank, on
one forging or forged test blank per lot (lot as defined in section 8.5).
9.6.1 Add:
For ferritic-austenitic stainless steel forgings, a sample representing maximum
wall thickness of the fitting shall be tested for each lot (as defined in
section 8.5). Triplicate hardness measurements shall be performed in
accordance with ASTM E18 between 1 mm (0.04 in) from the inner surface
and the outer surface. (Alternative Brinell hardness testing HBW as per
ASTM E10 is allowed provided conversion table 1 as per ASTM E140 is
used). The hardness requirements of the applicable materials standard shall be
met. All hardness measurements shall be carried out after final heat
treatment.

9.8 Add For ferritic-austenitic stainless steel forgings, Charpy impact testing shall
be carried out in accordance with ISO 17781. The acceptance criteria of
Quality Level 1 shall apply. .
Where steam service is designated in the MESC specification, forgings produced
from Grade F22 shall be Charpy impact tested as follows:
- Charpy impact tests shall be carried out in accordance with ASTM A370 at
a temperature of +20 °C (+68 °F) on longitudinal samples.
Impact test results as an average of three tests shall be at least 27 J for standard
size specimens (10 mm x 10 mm). Only one result may be lower than 27 J, but it
shall be at least 21 J.

10. Modify to read:

Grain size and microstructure
10.1 Modify to read:
All austenitic H grades and grade F63 shall be tested for average grain size by
Test Methods E 112.
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10.1.1 Add:
Where stabilising heat treatment is specified, the forging shall be manufactured
with a grain size of 3.5 or finer in order to lessen the chances of reheat cracking
during PWHT or during service.
10.2 Add Microstructure examination for deleterious phases shall be carried out in
accordance with ISO 17781 section 5.2.

10.3 Add Ferrite content

The ferrite / austenite phase balance shall be determined in accordance
with ISO 17781 section 5.3 on one test piece from the thickest section of
one forging (or forged test blank) representing each lot (as defined in
section 8.5)
11 Modify to read:
Corrosion Testing for Austenitic and Ferritic-Austenitic Grades
11.1 Delete
11.2 Modify to read:
Pitting corrosion on austenitic grades
Forgings furnished to Grades F44 or F62 shall be subjected to a ferric chloride
test in accordance with ASTM G48, Method A. The test temperature shall be 50
°C (122 °F) and the exposure time shall be 24 hours. The test specimens shall
be in the as-delivered condition. The test shall expose the external and internal
surfaces. No pitting is acceptable at internal or external surfaces at 20 times
magnification. The weight loss shall be < 4.0 g/m² (0.013 oz/ft²). In addition
supplementary requirement S4 shall apply for these grades.
11.3 Modify to read
Pitting tests shall be carried out in accordance with ISO 17781
The same specimen shall not be re-tested.
14.3 Add The surface of forgings furnished to austenitic and austenitic/ferritic grades
shall be white pickled (de-scaled and acid cleaned) for which the procedure shall
be subject of approval by the Principal. The surface of all fittings shall be
completely free of debris, dirt etc.
15.1 Add:
Repair welding is not allowed for forgings furnished to austenitic grades.
Repair welding is not allowed for forgings furnished to austenitic/ferritic grades
unlesss specifically approved by the principal.
15.2 Add:
For forgings furnished to Grades F5, F9, F11 or F22, supplementary requirement
S55 (magnetic particle) of ASTM A961 shall apply. Acceptance criteria shall be in
accordance with ASME VIII, Division 1, Appendix 6.
For austenitic stainless steel forgings in ASME rating Class 600 or higher,
supplementary requirement S56 (liquid penetrant) of ASTM A961 shall apply.
Acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with ASME VIII, Division 1,
Appendix 8.
For forgings furnished to Grade F44, F62 or F50-F55, F57-F61 and F65-F67,
supplementary requirement S56 (liquid penetrant) of ASTM A961 shall apply.
Acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with ASME VIII, Division 1,
Appendix 8.
15.10 Add After repair welding the requirements of ASTM A182 section 14 shall be
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met.
18.3 Add For austenitic – ferritic stainless steels
- Supplementary Requirement S2 shall apply.
- The manufacturer shall submit to the Principal the additional documentation
listed below, signed and stamped by the manufacturer's quality control
department, verifying that the components comply with the requirements of
this MESC specification.
a. Material certificates for the test material complying with ISO
10474 -3.1 or EN 10204 -3.1, including all mechanical,
metallurgical and corrosion results required
b. Dimensional control reports
c. Minimum lateral expansion value from charpy impact test
d. Heat treatment charts and records (including soaking
temperatures, times & tolerances, heating rates, cooling
conditions – medium and maximum quench bath
temperature – and maximum time to transfer components
from furnace to quench bath).
This documentation shall be provided prior to formal release of the forgings.
18.4 Add For forgings furnished to Grades F5, F9, F11 or F22, supplementary
requirement S2 shall apply.
The manufacturer shall submit to the Principal the additional
documentation listed below, signed and stamped by the manufacturer's
quality control department, verifying that the Heat treatment comply with
the requirements of this MESC specification:
a. Heat treatment charts and records (including soaking
temperatures, times & tolerances, heating rates, cooling
conditions)
19.3 Add All marking shall be carried out using low-stress die-stamping or stencilling or
electronic etching or by the vibro-etching method. The maximum depth shall be
0.5 mm (0.02 in) and the minimum height 8 mm (0.3 in).
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PART III REFERENCES

In this MESC SPE, reference is made to the following publications:

NOTES:
1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. Most of the referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell Wide Web) at
http://sww05.europe.shell.com/standards.

SHELL STANDARDS
Flanges to ASME B16.5 MESC SPE 76/100
Flanges to ASME B16.47 MESC SPE 76/101
AMERICAN STANDARDS
Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings NPS 1/2 Through NPS ASME B16.5
24 Metric/Inch Standard
Large Diameter Steel Flanges NPS 26 Through NPS 60 ASME B16.47
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code – Rules for ASME VIII
construction of pressure vessels
Issued by:
American Society of Mechnical Engineers
ASME International
Three Park Avenue, M/S 10E
New York, NY 10016, USA

Standard Specification for Forged or Rolled Alloy and ASTM A182-17

Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and Valves
and Parts for High-Temperature Service
Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical ASTM A370
Testing of Steel Products
Standard Specification for Common Requirements for ASTM A961
Steel Flanges, Forged Fittings, Valves, and Parts for
Piping Applications
Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic ASTM E10
Materials
Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness and ASTM E18
Rockwell Superficial Hardness of Metallic Materials
Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals ASTM E140
Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness,
Knoop Hardness, Scleroscope Hardness, and Leeb
Hardness
Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain ASTM E112
Size
Standard Test Methods for Pitting and Crevice Corrosion ASTM G48
Resistance of Stainless Steels and Related Alloys by Use
of Ferric Chloride Solution
Issued by:
American Society for Testing and Materials
100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken
PA 19428-2959
USA
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EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Metallic products. Types of inspection EN 10204
documents
Issued by:
Commité Européen de Normalisation
Secrétariat Central
Rue de Stassart 36
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium

Copies can also be obtained from national standards

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Steel and Steel Products – Inspection Documents ISO 10474

Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries ISO 17781:2017

— Test methods for quality control of microstructure
of ferritic/austenitic (duplex) stainless steels
Issued by:
ISO Central Secretariat
1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse
Case postale 56
CH-1211 Genève 20
Switzerland
Copies can also be obtained from national standards
organizations.