NACE HIC Steel Plate Supplier in India
Creative Metal Industries is India's specialist supplier of NACE MR-01-75 compliant and HIC tested steel plates for sour service applications in oil & gas, refinery, and offshore industries. We stock SA 516 Gr.60/70, SA 537, SA 387 Gr.11/22/91, and API 5L plates with complete test reports per NACE TM-0284 (HIC) and NACE TM-0177 (SSC) from approved mills.
Sour service environments containing hydrogen sulphide (H2S) cause catastrophic failures in standard carbon steel through mechanisms like Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC), Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC), and Stress Oriented Hydrogen Induced Cracking (SOHIC). Our NACE/HIC plates are specifically manufactured with controlled chemistry (low sulphur, calcium treated, inclusion shape controlled) to resist these failure mechanisms. Established in 2012, we supply every plate with Mill Test Certificate (MTC) EN 10204 3.1/3.2, HIC test reports per NACE TM-0284, and SSC test reports per NACE TM-0177.
What is NACE MR-01-75 / ISO 15156?
NACE MR-01-75 (current version: ANSI/NACE MR0175/ISO 15156) defines material requirements for metals exposed to sour environments in oil and gas production. It specifies hardness limits (≤ 22 HRC for carbon steel), heat treatment conditions, and welding requirements to prevent sulfide stress cracking. All pressure-containing equipment in sour service must comply with this standard.
HIC Test — NACE TM-0284
HIC testing per NACE TM-0284 involves immersing steel specimens in a solution saturated with H₂S for 96 hours at ambient temperature, then performing ultrasonic examination to detect internal cracking. Acceptance criteria:
| Parameter | Acceptance (NACE TM-0284) |
|---|---|
| CLR (Crack Length Ratio) | ≤ 15% |
| CTR (Crack Thickness Ratio) | ≤ 5% |
| CSR (Crack Sensitivity Ratio) | ≤ 2% |
| Solution | NACE Solution A (5% NaCl + 0.5% CH₃COOH, H₂S saturated) |
| Duration | 96 hours minimum |
| Temperature | 25°C ± 3°C |
NACE HIC Plate Grades Available
| Grade | Standard | Thickness | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA 516 Gr.70 HIC | ASTM A516/ASME SA-516 | 6–200mm | Pressure vessels, storage tanks |
| SA 516 Gr.60 HIC | ASTM A516/ASME SA-516 | 6–150mm | Low-pressure vessels, separators |
| SA 537 Cl.1 HIC | ASTM A537 | 10–150mm | Low-temp pressure vessels |
| SA 387 Gr.11 Cl.2 HIC | ASTM A387 | 6–150mm | Elevated temp reactors |
| SA 387 Gr.22 Cl.2 HIC | ASTM A387 | 6–150mm | Hydrotreater, hydrocracker |
| API 5L X42-X70 HIC | API 5L PSL2 | 6–50mm | Sour gas pipelines |
| A283 Gr.C HIC | ASTM A283 | 6–50mm | Tanks, structural |
Industries We Serve
Buying Guide — NACE HIC Plates
- Specify service condition: Sour (H₂S partial pressure > 0.05 psi)? Then NACE MR-01-75 applies.
- Request HIC test report: Not all "NACE" plates have HIC tests. Explicitly ask for TM-0284 results with CLR/CTR/CSR values.
- Check sulphur level: For HIC resistance, sulphur must be ≤ 0.002% (ideally ≤ 0.001%) with calcium treatment.
- Normalised condition: Specify normalised delivery for uniform grain structure and better toughness.
- UT testing: Always specify SA 578 Level B or SA 435 Level B — ensures no lamination or inclusion bands.
- Hardness verification: Must be ≤ 200 HBW (≤ 22 HRC) per NACE requirements — check on MTC.
Case Study — Offshore Gas Platform, Mumbai High
Client: Fabricator building sour gas separators for ONGC Mumbai High platform. Required SA 516 Gr.70 HIC plates (50mm and 75mm thickness) with NACE TM-0284 + SSC (TM-0177) testing, normalised delivery, 100% UT per SA 578 Level B.
Challenge: Strict acceptance criteria — CLR ≤ 10%, CTR ≤ 3%, CSR ≤ 1.5% (tighter than standard TM-0284). DNV inspection at our facility.
Result: Sourced from AMNS (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel) with all test values within client's tighter limits. DNV inspection cleared in first attempt. 12 plates (48 MT) delivered in 3 weeks.
Storage & Inspection of HIC Plates
Covered Storage
HIC plates must be stored under cover — surface rusting can mask inspection markings and heat numbers. Keep away from moisture and salt-laden air.
Separate from Standard Plates
Mark HIC plates clearly with paint markers. NEVER mix with standard SA 516 plates — wrong plate in sour service = catastrophic failure.
Verify Before Use
Always PMI-verify heat number against MTC before cutting. Re-check hardness (portable HB tester) on any plate that has been flame-cut or heat-treated.
Preserve Test Records
Keep HIC test reports (TM-0284) permanently as part of the equipment data book. Inspectors require these throughout the asset's operational life.
Related Products
FAQ — NACE HIC Plates
What is NACE MR-01-75?
A standard defining material requirements for metals in sour (H₂S) environments. Specifies hardness ≤ 22 HRC, heat treatment, and testing requirements.
What is HIC testing per TM-0284?
Hydrogen Induced Cracking test — plates immersed in H₂S solution for 96 hours, then UT examined. CLR ≤ 15%, CTR ≤ 5%, CSR ≤ 2%.
Which grades are available in HIC?
SA 516 Gr.60/70, SA 537 Cl.1/2, SA 387 Gr.11/22/5/91, API 5L X42-X70, ASTM A283/A285.
Do you supply for ONGC/BPCL/IOCL projects?
Yes — approved supplier for major Indian oil & gas projects with full TPI documentation.
Delivery time?
SA 516 Gr.70 HIC in common sizes: 5-7 days. Specialty: 3-6 weeks from mills.
Need NACE/HIC Plates?
Same-day quotes. Complete test documentation. Pan-India + export delivery.