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Valve Standard Reference

NACE MR0103

NACE

Materials Resistant to Sulfide Stress Cracking in Corrosive Petroleum Refinery Environments

NACE MR0103 specifies the metallurgical requirements for materials used in petroleum refinery environments where wet hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) can cause sulfide stress cracking (SSC).

What is NACE MR0103?

NACE MR0103 (Materials Resistant to Sulfide Stress Cracking in Corrosive Petroleum Refinery Environments) is an industrial valve standard issued by NACE International (now AMPP). Applies to all metallic components in refinery pressure vessels, piping, heat exchangers, and valves in wet H₂S service including hydroprocessing units, amine units, sour water strippers, and crude distillation where H₂S-containing aqueous phases are present.

Issuing Body:
NACE International (now AMPP)
Category:
material

Overview - NACE MR0103

NACE MR0103 specifies the metallurgical requirements for materials used in petroleum refinery environments where wet hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) can cause sulfide stress cracking (SSC). While the related standard NACE MR0175 (ISO 15156) applies to upstream oil and gas production environments, MR0103 covers the specific conditions found in refinery process streams - typically higher temperature, lower pH, and different H₂S partial pressures. Both standards may be co-specified on the same valve for refinery projects.

Scope

Applies to all metallic components in refinery pressure vessels, piping, heat exchangers, and valves in wet H₂S service including hydroprocessing units, amine units, sour water strippers, and crude distillation where H₂S-containing aqueous phases are present. Covers carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys.

Vajra Industrial Solutions manufactures and supplies valves engineered to comply with NACE MR0103, each delivered with NACE MR0103 compliance certificate and Hardness test report (all pressure-containing parts) as standard.

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Applicable Valve Types

All valve types in wet H₂S refinery service

Gate, Globe, Ball, Butterfly, Check valves

Applicable Pressure Classes

All pressure classes

Key Requirements - NACE MR0103

01.

Carbon steel hardness limit: ≤22 HRC (Rockwell C) for base metal and welds

02.

Heat treatment: PWHT (Post Weld Heat Treatment) required for carbon and low-alloy steel valves

03.

Maximum yield strength for carbon steel: 90 ksi (620 MPa) in most conditions

04.

Austenitic stainless steels: cold worked material hardness ≤22 HRC

05.

Nickel alloys: Alloy 625, Alloy C-276 permitted in specific tempers

06.

Hardness testing: Brinell (HBW) or Rockwell (HRC) at critical locations

07.

Excludes high-strength steels like AISI 4140 in quenched and tempered condition

Testing Requirements - NACE MR0103

Brinell or Rockwell hardness testing of body, bonnet, and trim

PWHT verification by hardness test

Traceability to heat treatment records

Documentation Required for NACE MR0103 Compliance

NACE MR0103 compliance certificate

Hardness test report (all pressure-containing parts)

PWHT records for carbon and alloy steel valves

Material Test Reports (MTR) per EN 10204 3.1

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Part of the Vajra Valve Standards Library
Reviewed by Valve Standards Engineering, Vajra Industrial SolutionsDiscipline: Industrial Valve Standards & ComplianceLast reviewed: 20 June 2026

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