Mooring chains comprising high manganese steels and associated methods

A process for mooring a floating offshore structure, comprising:

• providing at least one flexible connection between a floating offshore structure located on a body of water and a rigid pile anchor located in a body of water, wherein the rigid pile anchor is secured to the earthen surface located below the body of water;
• maintain the position of the floating offshore structure on the body of water through the use of the flexible connection by transferring loading forces imposed upon the floating offshore structure, through the flexible connection and to the rigid pile anchor;
• wherein the flexible connection is comprised of a mooring chain, such mooring chain comprising:
• a plurality of links comprising an austenitic steel, the austenitic steel comprising:
• 0.4-0.8 wt. % C,
• 12-25 wt. % Mn,
• 4-15 wt. % Cr,
• a non-zero amount of Si<3 wt. % Si,
• a non-zero amount of Al<0.5 wt. % Al,
• a non-zero amount of N<0.1 wt. % N,
• <5 wt. % Mo, and
• balance Fe and inevitable impurities;
• wherein:
• the mooring chain is bare;
• at least a portion of the mooring chain is located in a periodic splash zone, wherein the portion of the mooring chain is periodically submerged under the body of water and periodically exposed to air above the body of water;
• and the body of water is sea water;
• and
• the austenitic steel in the periodic splash zone has a corrosion rate of about 0.2 to about 0.7 mils per year (mpy).