Operational safety
When laying an offshore pipeline in the ultra-deep sea, the pipeline is exposed to a high level of stress caused by the laying process and extreme pressures in the ultra-deep ocean. Using the unique toughcore® process, high-strength plates with significant higher wall thickness can be produced as compared to conventional material. toughcore® buckle arrestors with an increased wall thickness and high resistance against buckling avoid the buckling of your pipeline even in the ultra-deep sea.
To avoid a long-distance cracking in onshore pipelines, crack arrestors with a high wall thickness and a high toughness must be installed at defined intervals. The toughness of thick plates that utilize toughcore® technology are increased even at very low temperatures. High toughness crack arrestors made of toughcore® plates reliably stop cracking, even at very low temperatures.
Higher productivity
The capacity of a pipeline and the related auxiliary equipment such as the slug catcher is determined by the cross-section and the moving speed of the media within the system. Thicker walled pipelines and equipment can be used to increase the diameter of the pipes and to withstand the external pressure levels in the ultra-deep sea or internal pressure peaks during operation.
With a greater wall thickness at the same laying depth, the pipeline diameter can be increased, which results in a higher flowrate per strand.
toughcore® enables thicker base material of roll-bonded clad plates with excellent toughness properties even at very low temperatures. The dimensions of the slug catcher can be increased for higher flow rates and in order to withstand higher pressure peaks, even in arctic regions.
Manufacturing efficiency
The remarkable microstructure of toughcore® base material remains fine-grained and therefore tough in the HAZ, even after welding with high heat input. Higher heat input can be subsequently applied during welding to meet existing toughness requirements. Welding costs can be reduced, and lower cycle times open up new potentials.
Reduced cost
toughcore® allows the production of pipe grades with higher tensile strength and high toughness at a thickness not achievable until now. Pipelines made of steel with higher tensile strength can be realized with a smaller wall thickness and therefore lighter weight when compared to conventional material. Such pipelines can be manufactured, transported and laid at substantially lower cost.
Extreme conditions
To avoid the brittle fracture of a component, the respective part must be operated at a minimum design temperature, which is above the transition temperature. Using toughcore® and its significantly lowered transition temperature, projects e.g. in arctic regions, Alaska or Siberia can be realized at lower temperatures without the risk of a brittle fracture.
Higher wall thicknesses can be produced using toughcore®, leading to a higher permissible buckling pressure and greater possible laying depths. Deeper projects and shorter pipeline routing can be realized because detours due to extreme deep sections are not necessary.
Available dimensions
- toughcore® heavy plates up to X80 with 50 mm wall thickness and superior toughness properties down to – 80°C.
- High strength heavy plates up to X120
- Plate lengths up to 18,700 mm and weights up to 20 tons per plate
