Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) continues to be a major barrier to the safe, reliable transportation of
ethanol in underground transmission pipelines. Ongoing research, funded by PRCI and PHMSA, has
produced significant progress in reducing this barrier. Because of this research, we are developing a
better understanding of the controlling factors, monitoring methods, and mitigation methods. This
paper provides an update on this recent progress.
Keywords: ethanol pipelines, stress corrosion cracking, SCC inhibitors, metallurgy, ethanol-gasoline
blends