escc meaning in oil and gas

External stress corrosion cracking or environmental stress corrosion cracking (ESCC) refers to stress<p> corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel (304L, 316L and 317L) in general. The product in the<p> vessel, tank or pipe is only supplying the heat to promote the cracking mechanism. Process spills or leaks<p> would add to the problem, but usually the normal moisture penetrating conventional insulation systems<p> containing chlorides will cause cracking. Temperatures from 140ºF to 250ºF (60ºC to 12 1ºC) seem to be<p> the range where the ESCC normally occurs.<p> <p>