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13 Chrome: Martensitic Stainless Steel

Common Names:

13CR, 420, 420 Mod, 13CR L80, VM 80 13CR, SM13CR, Chrome 13, L13, 420M, TN13CR, TN13, L80 13CR, VM80 13CR, 13CR-L80, 13%Cr, 13% CR, API L80 13CR

Alloy Group

Martensitic Stainless Steel

Corrosion Resistance

Mild

Yield Strength

80

—

95

Wall Tolerance

0.875

Density

0.279

PREN

13.65

—

15.65

Additional Documentation

Alloy Details

13 Chrome is a quenched and tempered martensitic stainless steel primarily used for corrosion resistance in environments with CO2 (sweet) and mild H2S (sour) exposure, with an operational temperature limit of up to 300°F. It is commonly applied in downhole tubular components, packers, and other subsurface equipment. This material is included in API 5CT as Group 2, Grade L80, Type 13Cr, and its yield strength and hardness are controlled to meet NACE MR0175 requirements.

While 13 Chrome L80 offers effective resistance in mildly corrosive conditions, its performance can be limited by factors such as pH, chloride concentration, temperature, and H2S content. According to NACE MR0175/ISO 15156, it is recommended for environments with a maximum H2S partial pressure of 1.5 psi and a pH ≥ 3.5 (refer to Table A.19).

Martensitic Stainless Steel

Martensitic stainless steels, such as 13 Chrome and its enhanced variants, are widely used as downhole tubular components in mildly corrosive environments, such as sweet (CO2) wells, where carbon and low alloy steels experience general corrosion. These alloys are typically quenched and tempered to achieve yield strengths in the range of 80 to 140 ksi.

Chemical Composition

C
6
Carbon
0.15%‒0.22%
Si
14
Silicon
1%
P
15
Phosphorus
0.02%
S
16
Sulfur
0.01%
Cr
24
Chromium
12%‒14%
Mn
25
Manganese
0.25%‒1%
Fe
26
Iron
83%‒87.6%
Ni
28
Nickel
0.5%
Cu
29
Copper
0.25%

Specified Mechanical Properties

API 5CT Group 2 Grade L80 Type 13Cr
GradeYield
Strength
ksi		Tensile
Strength
ksi		Elongation
%		Hardness
HRC		NACE MR0175/ISO 15156
H2S Sour Service Limits
minmaxminminmax
80809595Function of specimen size23Table A.19H2S ≤ 1.5 psi,
pH ≥ 3.5

* Non-standard mechanical properties and grades are made available upon agreement.

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