TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

STAINLESS STEEL FITTINGS

(AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A 403)

MESC SPE 76/202

September 2012

MESC SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

This document is restricted. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of Shell Global
Solutions International B.V., The Netherlands. The copyright of this document is vested in this company. All rights reserved. Neither the whole nor any part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.

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PREFACE
MESC (Materials and Equipment Standards and Code) SPE documents reflect the views, at the time of publication, of:
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Shell GSI)
and/or
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. (SIEP)
and/or
other Shell Service Companies.
They are based on the experience acquired during their involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities, and they are supplemented with the experience of Shell Operating Units.
Where appropriate they are based on, or reference is made to, international, regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the recommended standard for good design and engineering practice applied by Shell companies
operating an oil refinery, gas handling installation, chemical plant, oil and gas production facility, or any other such
facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where MESC SPEs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition
at each locality. The system of MESC SPEs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to
adapt the information set forth in MESC SPEs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use MESC SPEs they shall be solely responsible for the quality of work
and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow those practices, which will achieve the same level of
integrity as reflected in the MESC SPEs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting
from his own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.
The right to use MESC SPEs is granted by Shell GSI, in most cases under Service Agreements primarily with Shell
companies and other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Service
Company. Consequently, three categories of users of MESC SPEs can be distinguished:
1)

Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or other Shell Service Company. The use of MESC
SPEs by these Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service
Agreement.

2)

Other parties who are authorized to use MESC SPEs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether
as part of a Service Agreement or otherwise).

3)

Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)

which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.

Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI
disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or
person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any MESC SPE,
combination of MESC SPEs or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell
GSI or other Shell Service Company. The benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any
Shell Service Company, or companies affiliated to these companies, that may issue MESC SPEs or require the use of
MESC SPEs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, MESC
SPEs shall not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person
whomsoever and the MESC SPEs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the
user. They shall be returned after use, including any copies, which shall only be made by users with the express prior
written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of MESC SPEs vests in Shell GSI. Users shall arrange for MESC SPEs to
be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how
users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the MESC SPE Administrator in Shell GSI.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4
SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ......... 4
DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 4
CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION ................................................................... 4
COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE ............................................................................ 5

PART II

AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A 403:11 .............................................. 6

PART III

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 8

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PART I INTRODUCTION
1.1

SCOPE
This MESC SPE specifies requirements for stainless steel fittings.
This specification shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Description,
purchase order or requisition sheet.
This specification only applies to stainless steel fittings to ASTM A 403, Grades 304, 304L,
304H, 316, 316L, 321, 321H, 347 and UNS S31254 of Class WP-S or WP-WX.
This specification is written as amendments and supplements to ASTM A 403:2011, which
are covered in Part II of this MESC SPE. The clause numbering of ASTM A 403: 2011 has
been retained and any amendments are identified as Add, Modify to read or Delete. Any
clauses of ASTM A 403: 2011 that are not amended or supplemented by this MESC SPE,
shall apply as written.

1.2

DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this MESC SPE is confined to
Shell companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers
nominated by them.
This MESC SPE is intended for use in oil refineries, chemical plants, gas plants, exploration
and production facilities and, where applicable, supply/distribution installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this MESC SPE the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of
the requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all cases
the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this
MESC SPE which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or
local regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the
objective being to obtain agreement to follow this MESC SPE as closely as possible.

1.3

DEFINITIONS
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.4

CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

The previous edition of this MESC SPE was dated May 2010. The change is to update
ASTM A403 version and email address of MESCSPE administrator.

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1.5

COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Comments on this MESC SPE may be sent to the MESC SPE Administrator at
MESC@shell.com. Shell staff may also post comments on this MESC SPE on the Surface
Global Network (SGN) under the Standards folder.

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PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ASTM A 403:11
Add:

5.5

All welds shall be made with the addition of filler metal.

Add:

5.10

For fittings to Grade 304 and 304L, welds shall be made using welding procedures
qualified by impact testing at 196 C (321 F) in accordance with the
requirements of ASME B31.3, Section 323.2.2. The material certificates of these
welded fittings shall refer to these WPQs.
Delete:

5.15.2

or without the
st

Modify 1 sentence to read:

6.1

All fittings shall be furnished in the solution heat-treated condition.

Modify final sentence to read:

6.2

If a stabilised heat treatment is specified, fittings shall be given a stabilising heat

treatment in accordance with supplementary requirement S2 within a temperature
range of 870 C to 900 C (1600 F to 1650 F) for 4 hours subsequent to the
solution heat treatment.
Alternatively, the Manufacturer may submit a stabilisation heat treatment procedure
for approval to the Principal, and supplementary requirement S63 (Intergranular
corrosion test) shall apply. The test shall be in accordance with ASTM A 262,
Practice E.
6.5

Add

Induction heating is not allowed

6.6

Add

Cold working shall be done before final heat treatment.

6.7

Add

Heat treatment procedures shall be subject to statistical process control to ensure

that the final material properties comply with the material standard and this
specification. The process control data and related periodic quality control checks
shall be documented.
Add:

7.1

Fittings furnished to Grade 316 shall have a carbon content not exceeding 0.030 %.
7.3.2

Add

All welds of austenitic stainless steel welded fittings shall have a ferrite number
between 3FN and 8FN. Ferrite number testing shall be in accordance with
ISO 8249, other test methods are subject of approval by the Principal.

8.5

Add

Fittings furnished to ASTM A 403, Grades 304, 304L, 304H, 316, 321, 321H, 347
and UNS S31254 of Class WP-WX, shall be furnished from same grade of plate or
welded pipe as shown in the buying description.
Add:

10.7

Fittings furnished to Grade UNS S31254 shall be pickled and cleaned in

accordance with ASTM A 380.
10.8

Add

Fittings shall be capable of successfully passing an intergranular corrosion test in

accordance with ASTM A 262, Practice E. The frequency of this testing shall be
sufficient for the Manufacturer to assure that all fittings would pass such a test if
subsequently performed. In case periodic test data is not available then
supplementary requirement S63 of ASTM A 960 shall be applied.

10.9

Add

Fittings with a butt-welding end wall thickness > 20 mm (0.79 in) shall have the
bevel and weld-end preparation examined by the liquid penetrant method over a
width of 25 mm (1 in). Liquid Penetrant method shall be in accordance with ASTM E
165. Acceptance standards shall be in accordance with ASME VIII, Division 1,

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Appendix 8.
10.10

Add

Fittings furnished to Grade UNS S31254 shall be capable of successfully passing a

ferric chloride test in accordance with ASTM G 48, Method A. The test temperature
shall be 50 C (122 F) and the exposure time shall be 24 hours. Test specimens
shall be in the as-delivered condition and performed on one specimen per heat. The
test shall expose the external and internal surfaces and a cross section surface
including the weld zone in full wall thickness. No pitting is acceptable at internal or
external surfaces at 20 times magnification. The weight loss shall be < 4.0 g/m.

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PART III REFERENCES
In this MESC SPE, reference is made to the following publications:
NOTES:
1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. Most of the referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell Wide Web) at
http://sww05.europe.shell.com/standards.

SHELL STANDARDS

Fittings to ASME B16.9

MESC SPE 76/110

AMERICAN STANDARDS
Factory-Made Wrought Buttwelding Fittings

ASME B16.9

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Rules for

construction of pressure vessels

ASME VIII

Issued by:
American Society of Mechnical Engineers
ASME International
Three Park Avenue, M/S 10E
New York, NY 10016, USA

Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of

Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems

ASTM A 380

Standard Specification for Wrought Austenitic Stainless Steel

Piping Fittings

ASTM A 403:11

Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Wrought

Steel Piping Fittings

ASTM A 960

Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination

ASTM E 165

Standard Test Methods for Pitting and Crevice Corrosion

Resistance of Stainless Steels and Related Alloys by Use of
Ferric Chloride Solution

ASTM G 48

Issued by:
American Society for Testing and Materials
1916 Race Street, Philadelphia
19103, USA

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Welding - Determination of Ferrite Number (FN) in
Austenitic and Duplex Ferritic-Austenitic Cr-Ni Stainless
Steel Weld Metals
Issued by:
International Organization for Standardization
1, Rue de Varemb
CH-1211, Geneva 20
Switzerland
Copies can also be obtained from national standards
organizations

ISO 8249