Magma qualification and testing
Download Magma technical papers
m-pipe® qualification
Deployed since 2012, Magma m-pipe® is backed by the fact that it is the first TCP product to complete qualification, with third party verification provided by DNV GL, to DNVGL-RP-F119 Recommended Practice for Thermoplastic Composite Pipe. Read more – click here.
For individual projects, Magma has overlaid company specific and territorial standards on top of each project’s requirements.
Magma has used DNVGL-RP-F119 requirements to guide a comprehensive set of qualification tests of m-pipe, protective costing and end fittings. These tests cover both mechanical and environmental performance and have been completed at a range of pipe diameters.
m-pipe® has been tested at internal pressures up to 32ksi as part of the DeepStar project and external pressure testing to a water depth of 3,000m plus.
Chemical screening has been undertaken for water, gas and hydrocarbons and a wide range of commonly used well intervention and stimulation fluids.
Launched in December 2015 by DNV GL, the DNVGL RP-F119 recommended practice allows operators to choose Thermoplastic Composite Pipes (TCP) rather than steel or traditional flexible pipes for pipelines or risers.
With contribution to the RP from Magma Global, Victrex and 17 other manufacturers, operators and contractors this 140 page document provides recommendations and information, including technical provisions and recommended acceptance criteria pertaining to TCPs for offshore use.
Read more and download the DNVGL RP-F119 for TCP
Answers to a whole range of other frequently asked questions about Magma Global and m-pipe® can be found at our FAQ page.
m-pipe® testing
Magma Global has invested in a state-of-the-art internal test facility in Portsmouth in the UK to test to the rigorous levels required to qualify m-pipe® for oil and gas subsea riser, jumper and intervention line applications.
Magma Global has an m-pipe® qualification programme that includes testing and DNV GL certification through test coupons through to full m-pipe® and end fitting production assemblies. Our Trafalgar Wharf facility has bespoke rigs and equipment designed to carry out a wide range of structural and dynamic tests on m-pipe®.
Magma test engineering and test production engineers and technicians, with detailed knowledge of composite materials applications from the oil and gas industry, deliver the m-pipe® qualification programme. This includes mechanical test rig design, development and commissioning, m-pipe® mechanical and properties testing, client project FAT and liaison with a range of external test houses for full scale subsea installation tests.
Magma specialist external test houses include Southampton University and the National Composites Centre for additional m-pipe® trials and studies. Magma also has a joint development agreement with BP and Subsea 7 in a project to qualify m-pipe® as the next generation of subsea pipelines. For more details click here.
| Magma m-pipe® tests include: | |
| Four point bend test | Tensile test |
| Compression test | Ring compression test |
| High strain flex ILSS (Inter laminar shear strength) | Impact test |
| Flex to failure test | Cyclic flex test |
| Collapse test (open end and closed end) | End fitting test |
| Burst test (open end and closed end) | Bore seal test |
| Long-term high strain test (creep) | Stress cycling test |
| Resonance fatigue test | Chemical testing |
Bend fatigue rig test
Flex to failure test
Magma’s bend fatigue rig is used to pull sections of m-pipe® around curved formers, with a bend radius reducing in steps until an ultimate bend failure of the pipe is reached. This provides the ultimate bending strength, strain and minimum bend radius for m-pipe®.
Cyclic flex test
m-pipe® samples are pulled repeatedly around curved formers to known strain values. This test provides m-pipe® bending strain cycling data to enable design of spooling systems. A video extensometer is used to monitor the effect of flex on the pipe over the test period. Real time results are stored on specially designed software for further analysis.
High load test frame
The high load test frame is used for tests on m-pipe® and its end fittings. Fibre optic strain measurements are extensively used throughout these tests to provide accurate strain measurement. Tests carried out on this equipment include:
Tensile test – provides the axial properties of m-pipe®, including stiffness, strength and Poisson’s ratio.
Creep test – measure the strain in m-pipe® under long term constant load conditions. Creep tests can be run at elevated temperatures to accelerate the creep and also understand behaviour at higher temperatures.
End fitting tests
The following tests are part of m-pipe® end fitting design, development and qualification process.
Tensile test – end fittings are subject to direct axial pull at high loads.
Resonant fatigue test – an accelerated fatigue test where both fitting and m-pipe® are excited at a high natural frequency over a range of strain levels.
Pressure test (internal) – end fittings and m-pipe® are subject to internal pressure increased to ultimate failure.
Materials test rig
Four-point bend test – used to determine bending stiffness of specimen tubes. The test pipe is supported at either end, then a constant, know bending moment is applied to the test pipe between two centre load points. Using a dial gauge, the deflection of the tube is measured at the centre. A simple bending theory is used to calculate the flexural stiffness of the specimen tube.
Tensile test – used to apply a tension load on a sample tube. The force is measured with a load cell on a test machine and recorded. A video extensometer is used to measure strain in the load direction and perpendicular to load direction.
The video extensometer focuses on a pattern on the surface of the pipe and monitors the relative change to the pattern under strain. Axial modulus and Poisson’s ratio can be determined from these tests.
Compression test
The compression test is used to apply axial load in compression to the tube. A coupon of m-pipe® is made and end fittings attached. Tests record applied load and strain; from these results we can determine compressive modulus and Poisson’s ratio. A video extensometer is used to measure compressive strain by focusing on a pattern on the surface of the pipe and monitoring the relative changes to the pattern under compression.
Burst test
Internal pressure is applied to m-pipe® by placing it in a heavily reinforced enclosed case and filling it with high pressure water. Very high levels of stored energy are achieved and failures are ultimately catastrophic so the ultimate burst strength of the pipe can be determined. Two types of burst test are conducted – open ended and closed end:
Open ended burst test – end seal fittings are linked so that the axial load is not transmitted through the pipe and the internal pressure subjects the pipe to hoop strain only.
Closed end burst test – end fittings are attached independently at each pipe end and a resultant axial load is applied to the pipe. This test is realistic for real applications and subjects the pipe to combined hoop and axial strains.
External testing
For ultra high loads and some full size testing, Magma has a close relationship with external test houses and local universities to carry out additional tests including:
Collapse test (open and closed end) – because of the large loads and complexity involved in completing open and closed end collapse tests, Magma Global works with a specialist test house to push its m-pipe® to the limit.
Chemical testing – Magma uses specialist external test facilities for chemical testing of m-pipe®.