Introduction

This page addresses a question regarding certification of forgings to NACE MR0175. The company has been pressured by customers to certify their forgings without normalizing, as they claim their competition (including imports) do the same. The company uses gas-fired furnaces and induction heaters to heat the forgings to 2,300 to 2,350°F before being forged and air-cooled to ambient. They offer forgings in the “”as forged”” or “”normalized”” condition per SA105. The question is whether the forgings need to be normalized to certify to NACE MR0175.

The Problem

The problem is related to the interpretation of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2:2003(E), page 17, Annex A, Paragraph A.2.1.2. The heat-treated condition “”hot-rolled”” is not clearly understood. Competitors with similar processes interpret that heating the entire raw material piece to 2,300 to 2,350°F prior to forging satisfies the “”hot-rolled”” definition. The company argues that normalizing is required after full cooling to ambient to certify to NACE MR0175, and neither of their forging processes satisfies the definition of “”hot-rolled”” process.

The Answer

The answer explains that hot-forged material does not meet the intent of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2, A.2.1.2a). However, an “”as forged”” condition can be certified to NACE MR0175 if it meets the requirements of A.2.1.2b), which states that the material must be in a “”fully heat-treated condition.”” The company’s gas-fired furnaces and induction heaters can achieve the required heat treatment, but they must demonstrate that their process meets the requirements of A.2.1.2b) to certify their forgings without normalizing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, certification of forgings to NACE MR0175 without normalizing is possible, but the material must be in a fully heat-treated condition. The company must demonstrate that their gas-fired furnaces and induction heaters can achieve the required heat treatment to meet the requirements of A.2.1.2b).