The Role of Calcareous Soils in SCC of X52 Pipeline Steel

Abstract

ABSTRACTSusceptibility to external stress corrosion cracking (ESCC) of API X52 pipeline steel in calcareous soil containing different moisture content has been investigated using slow strain rate tests (SSRT). This type of soil is common of the state of Campeche Mexico and has a pH around 8. The results indicate that X52 pipeline steel was susceptible to external SCC only in the saturated calcareous soil, showing some micro cracks in the gage section of the SSR specimen. It was observed that some micro cracks were found at the bottom of micro-pits. Which indicate that first develop a pit and this evolved with time and micro-strain like a crack. Few micro cracks were observed as initiation of SCC close to surface failure. The mechanism of SCC may be influenced by formation and rupture film of carbonates.