Effects of water on the SCC of low carbon steel in ethanolic media

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the effect of water on the SCC of low carbon steel in ethanol in the absence of supporting salts. Design/methodology/approach – Slow strain rate test was done to determine SCC susceptibility. Fractured samples were examined using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Findings – While the results demonstrated that water alone had no effect on the SCC susceptibility of low carbon steel in ethanol, 2.5 volume per cent moisture gave indications of cracking tendencies. Originality/value – With South Africa and the world over turning to bioethanol and ethanol blended fuels as a means of reducing its carbon foot print, there are concerns over the corrosive nature of ethanol on common engineering metals like low carbon steels.