The present work is concerned with the corrosion behavior of ASTM A106 B grade and AISI316 stainless steel in the presence of three different environments: a mixture or an emulsion formed by oil-KOH-nickel acetate solution, a KOH (40 wt. %) solution and a nickel acetate (14 wt. %) solution, which are representative fluids used during a PDVSA proprietary process for improving heavy crude oils. Corrosion rate measurements and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior were evaluated through
weight loss (in the laboratory and in situ measurements), and mechanical testing (constant load and slow strain rate tests). In the emulsion the corrosion rate was almost undetectable for both steels and the evidence suggested that no SCC had taken place. However, the corrosion rate of the carbon steel in 40wt.% KOH solution at 130°C was 2.8 mm/y, showing the presence of pitting corrosion. On the other hand, the stainless steel showed an undetectable corrosion rate. Though SCC was not observed in any of the materials tested in presence of KOH at both 30 and 130°C, a deterioration in the mechanical properties was found for the high temperature case for carbon steel. During nickel acetate solution tests at 130°C, the A 106 steel showed a relatively high corrosion rate (5.9 mm/y) and the formation of pits. For the stainless steel case, acetate solution had no corrosive effect whatsoever. This last environment offered no SCC susceptibility for any material at both temperatures tested.