1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

A form of corrosion in which susceptible types of metals will break by a combination of stress within the metal and the specific type of corrosion. Sulfide corrosion of ferrous alloys and chloride corrosion of stainless steels are two common type of SCC. When high-strength steel remains in contact with hydrogen sulfide (or sulfide ion) in a water-mud environment, sulfide SCC may occur. Tool joints, hardened parts of blowout preventers and valve trim are particularly susceptible to brittle failure caused by sulfide SCC. For this reason, along with toxicity risks of hydrogen sulfide gas, it is essential that water muds be kept entirely free of soluble sulfides and especially hydrogen sulfide at low pH.

Alternate Form: stress corrosion cracking