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3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

(OP)
I'm doing research on the East Ohio Gas Company fire of 1944 which resulted in 130 fatalities. A liquid natural gas (LNG) container failed causing a massive fire in a residential area.
The container was made of 3.5% nickel steel. It was thought to be safe at the time (1940-1943). However, some of the failed pieces showed characteristics of a brittle failure. I'm trying to find out why it was considered ok then, and what determined the 9% nickel content for new construction (starting in the 1950s and certainly by the 1960s?)

Q: Where can I get Charpy impact information on 3.5% nickel steel vs temperature? What is the ductile brittle transition temperature (DBTT) for this steel? LNG is stored at -260F at about 5 psi.

Q: Same questions for 9% nickel steel

RE: 3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

3 1/2 % Ni alloy steel is brittle at LNG temperatures.
9% Nickel alloy steel is used for LNG storage.  

RE: 3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

RE: 3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

If you need minimum impact values, I would suggest looking at ASTM A 203 Grade D or E plate. The specification requires 20 ft-lbs at the agreed upon test temperature - from data I have seen this agreed upon test temperature can be as low as -150 deg F.

 

RE: 3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

(OP)
Thank you both for the information, especially the references. I had one but appreciate getting the others including the ASTM one.

Metengr where is the last website located; I was given a warning about downloading because it was unknown?

Do you know at which temps 3.5% becomes brittle compared to 9%?

RE: 3.5% nickel steel at low temperatures

EOGFresearch;
I just added the thread above for you to review. My esteemed colleague unclesyd actually provided CVN values at -150 deg F for 3.5%Ni steel. The link I thought I copied worked for me to download the pdf file but for some reason I could not get it to copy correctly for you. Sorry about that.
 

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