The environmental effects on the susceptibility and crack growth of near-neutral pH stress corrosion
cracking (SCC) were characterized using mechanical testing, hydrogen permeation and potential drop
measurements. The investigated environmental parameters were dissolved CO2, HCO3
-, pH, sulfate and chloride, sulfide and organics (9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS), Laurentian humic acid
(LHA) and Laurentian fulvic acid (LFA)).
Sufficient hydrogen concentration was critical for the susceptibility of near-neutral pH SCC.
Hydrogen concentration was directly proportional to the concentration of sulfide (HS-), and the %RAratio
decreased linearly with the logarithm of sulfide concentration. Organic compounds, like AQDS,
LHA and LFA, had an inhibitive effect on the crack growth rates, and also reduced the hydrogen
concentration. Higher CO2 concentrations led to a decrease in solution pH. However the addition of
HCO3 - may result in the formation of a ferrous carbonate film that could protect the underlying steel and
slow the corrosion process.
Key words: Stress corrosion cracks, pipelines, hydrogen permeation, sulfide, AQDS, LHA, LFA,
carbonates, dormancy