NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

The Influence of Simulated Fuel-Grade Ethanol on Fatigue Crack Propagation in Pipeline and Storage Tank Steels

Published

Author(s)

Jeffrey W. Sowards, Timothy S. Weeks, Joseph D. McColskey

Abstract

This study presents an evaluation of fatigue crack propagation in three steel materials (A36, X52, and X70) in a simulated fuel grade ethanol environment. A fracture mechanics testing approach was used to determine crack propagation rates as a function of the stress intensity factor amplitude (Δ_K). Results of this testing and the fracture analysis indicate that all three of the materials are susceptible to enhanced fatigue damage in fuel grade ethanol environments. Here we show the damage mechanism is attributed to susceptibility of each material to ethanol stress corrosion cracking under fatigue loading conditions and propose a model for determining crack growth rates in SFGE.
Citation
Corrosion Science
Volume
75
Pub Type
Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

A36, bioethanol, crack propagation, fatigue, fuel grade ethanol, pipeline steel, storage tank steel, stress corrosion cracking, X52, X70
Metals

Citation

Sowards, J. , Weeks, T. and McColskey, J. (2013), The Influence of Simulated Fuel-Grade Ethanol on Fatigue Crack Propagation in Pipeline and Storage Tank Steels, Corrosion Science, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2013.06.026 (Accessed October 7, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created October 1, 2013, Updated November 10, 2018
Was this page helpful?