External stress corrosion cracking (SCC) was first reported on underground pipelines in the mid-1960’s this mode of failure continues to be an integrity threat to the pipeline industry. In response to this threat,
the industry has funded research to reproduce the cracking in the laboratory, to gain a better understanding of the controlling factors, and to develop means to mitigate cracking. This paper reviews the history of the
development of the test techniques used in these laboratory studies. Techniques discussed include the slow strain rate technique, the tapered tensile test technique, constant displacement rate and cyclic load techniques with pre-cracked compact type specimens, and several electrochemical test techniques. Keywords: stress corrosion cracking, underground pipelines, SCC test techniques, slow strain rate, fracture
mechanics, electrochemistry