API RP 571 3.3 Amine Stress Corrosion
Cracking Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
3.3.1 Description of Damage -
correct answer ✅a) Amine SCC (or amine cracking) is the cracking
of steels under the combined action of tensile stress and an
aqueous alkanolamine solution used to removed (absorb) H2S
and/or CO2 and their mixture from various gas and liquid
hydrocarbon streams.
b) Amine cracking is a form of alkaline stress corrosion cracking
(ASCC).
c) It is most often found at or adjacent to non-postweld-heat-
treated (non-PWHT'd) carbon steel welds or in highly cold worked
parts.
d) Amine cracking should not be confused with several other types
of SCC that can occur in amine environments, which are further
described in 3.66 and 3.12.
3.3.2 Affected Materials -
correct answer ✅Carbon steel and low-alloy steels
3.3.3 Critical Factors -
correct answer ✅a) The critical factors are the level of tensile
stress, the type of amine, and temperature.
, API RP 571 3.3 Amine Stress Corrosion
Cracking Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
b) Increasing stress level increases the likelihood and severity of
cracking. Cracking is most often associated with high residual
stresses from welding or cold working that have not been removed
by an effective stress relieving heat treatment.
c) Cracking is more likely to occur in MEA and DEA services, but is
also found in most amines including MDEA and DIPA (ADIP).
d) Increasing temperature increases the likelihood and severity of
cracking; however, cracking has been reported down to ambient
temperatures with some amines, MEA in particular. Other than in
special cases (such as where the steel component is completely
clad or overlayed with stainless or other alloy and the welds are not
exposed), PWHT is now commonly recommended for all lean amine
systems (excluding fresh amine) at all operating temperatures,
regardless of amine type. Some refiners also PWHT'd rich amine
service equipment, whether for amine SCC resistance, wet H2S [SCC
and stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking (SOHIC)] resistance,
or both. Refer to API 945 for guidelines on PWHT for various amine
services.
e) Amine cracking is most often associated with lean amine
services, where a solution of amine and water is used. The pure
alkanolamine does not cause cracking. In rich amine services in H2S
removal systems, the H2S helps form an iron sulfide (FeS) film on
Cracking Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
3.3.1 Description of Damage -
correct answer ✅a) Amine SCC (or amine cracking) is the cracking
of steels under the combined action of tensile stress and an
aqueous alkanolamine solution used to removed (absorb) H2S
and/or CO2 and their mixture from various gas and liquid
hydrocarbon streams.
b) Amine cracking is a form of alkaline stress corrosion cracking
(ASCC).
c) It is most often found at or adjacent to non-postweld-heat-
treated (non-PWHT'd) carbon steel welds or in highly cold worked
parts.
d) Amine cracking should not be confused with several other types
of SCC that can occur in amine environments, which are further
described in 3.66 and 3.12.
3.3.2 Affected Materials -
correct answer ✅Carbon steel and low-alloy steels
3.3.3 Critical Factors -
correct answer ✅a) The critical factors are the level of tensile
stress, the type of amine, and temperature.
, API RP 571 3.3 Amine Stress Corrosion
Cracking Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
b) Increasing stress level increases the likelihood and severity of
cracking. Cracking is most often associated with high residual
stresses from welding or cold working that have not been removed
by an effective stress relieving heat treatment.
c) Cracking is more likely to occur in MEA and DEA services, but is
also found in most amines including MDEA and DIPA (ADIP).
d) Increasing temperature increases the likelihood and severity of
cracking; however, cracking has been reported down to ambient
temperatures with some amines, MEA in particular. Other than in
special cases (such as where the steel component is completely
clad or overlayed with stainless or other alloy and the welds are not
exposed), PWHT is now commonly recommended for all lean amine
systems (excluding fresh amine) at all operating temperatures,
regardless of amine type. Some refiners also PWHT'd rich amine
service equipment, whether for amine SCC resistance, wet H2S [SCC
and stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking (SOHIC)] resistance,
or both. Refer to API 945 for guidelines on PWHT for various amine
services.
e) Amine cracking is most often associated with lean amine
services, where a solution of amine and water is used. The pure
alkanolamine does not cause cracking. In rich amine services in H2S
removal systems, the H2S helps form an iron sulfide (FeS) film on
