The temperatures required to produce fully oxidized white liquor are capable of causing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) on the 300 series of austenitic stainless steels (304L/316L). This report outlines the likely mechanisms for SCC of 316L/304L in white liquor oxidizer systems, and suggests ways in which SCC can be prevented. Case histories are given and alternative alloys are suggested. Keywords: stainless steels, kraft process, stress corrosion cracking, caustic, oxygen, corrosion,
nickel-base alloys.