Aerospace Mechanics

Aerospace Mechanics

Effect of Inconel 625 Coating on the Mechanical and Chemical Properties of API 5LX52 Steel Pipes

Document Type : Solid Mechanics

Authors
1 Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
2 Master Student, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
Abstract
Seamless API 5L X52 steel pipes are widely used in oil and gas transmission systems, but under harsh operating conditions including corrosive and abrasive environments, they have relatively limited corrosion and wear resistance, which can lead to reduced service life and increased maintenance costs. In this study, with an industrial-oriented approach and with the aim of simultaneously improving mechanical properties and corrosion behavior, a coating of nickel-based alloy Inconel 625 was applied to the surface of API 5L X52 steel pipes by metal cladding method. As a common industrial welding process, this method has the practical implementation capability on an industrial scale. After the coating operation, the chemical composition of the coating was determined by emission spectrometry and the mechanical properties including hardness, tensile, bending and impact were evaluated at a temperature of -30 ℃. Also, the corrosion behavior was investigated by performing pitting corrosion tests and susceptibility to intergranular corrosion by immersing the samples in a boiling solution containing 25 g of ferric sulfate and 236 ml of sulfuric acid for 120 hours. The results showed that the Inconel 625 coating had a stable and uniform chemical composition at different surface and thicknesses and resulted in a 51% increase in the hardness of the steel substrate. Also, the corrosion rates were 0.000193 g/cm² and 1.278 (mm/year) in the pitting and intergranular corrosion tests, respectively, indicating a significant improvement in corrosion resistance along with an increase in mechanical properties of API 5L X52 steel after applying the Inconel 625 coating.

Graphical Abstract

Effect of Inconel 625 Coating on the Mechanical and Chemical Properties of API 5LX52 Steel Pipes
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Volume 22, Issue 1 - Serial Number 83
Spring
Spring 2026
Pages 73-83

  • Receive Date 13 February 2026
  • Revise Date 01 May 2026
  • Accept Date 13 May 2026
  • Publish Date 22 May 2026