Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)

Metals are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in the right environment. Stress corrosion cracking is caused by the environment, susceptible material and tensile stress. The occurrence of SCC on Canadian pipelines is a serious public safety issue. There are two types of SCC: high pH (intergranular cracking) and near neutral pH (transgranular cracking). Transgranular cracking is particularly prevalent in Canada. The National Energy Board held two public inquiries on SCC. The 1995 inquiry presents 27 recommendations to promote public safety on Canada's buried oil and gas pipelines.