NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156: Sour Service Material Selection Guide
What Is NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156? NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 is the internationally recognised standard for selecting metallic materials in oil and gas environments containing hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). It defines which alloys and grades are acceptable to prevent sulfide stress cracking (SSC), hydrogen induced cracking (HIC), and related failure mechanisms. The standard is structured in three parts: ISO 15156-1 — General principles for selecting cracking-resistant materials. ISO 15156-2 — Requirements for carbon and low-alloy steels. ISO 15156-3 — Requirements for corrosion-resistant alloys (CRAs): stainless steels, duplex SS, and nickel alloys. Most purchase orders reference both designations — e.g. NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 Part 3 — to avoid ambiguity. Major operators and EPC contractors worldwide mandate compliance for all sour service equipment. Sour Service vs Sweet Service Sweet service contains no H₂S above threshold levels. Standard materials like ASTM A105 or A106 are acc...