Abstract Presented paper summarizes results of sulphide stress cracking resistance of hot rolled tubes made of carbon steels. Two grades of steels - X52 and X60, that were manufactured according to API 5L Specification - have been tested in as-received state (after hot rolling) and after laboratory quenching from 870°C temperature into water and subsequent tempering at 600°C for 2 hours. Obtained results have shown that sulphide stress cracking resistance of steels depends strongly on their microstructure as in the case of hydrogen induced cracking. Heats containing bands of ferrite and pearlite or even bands of non-tempered bainite or martensite exhibited a poor resistance to sulphide stress cracking and failed at stresses well below the yield point when tested according to NACE TM 0177, Method A. Quenching and tempering had a beneficial effect on sulphide stress cracking resistance despite the fact that mechanical properties and hardness increased considerably. The critical stress for sulphide stress cracking increased about 180 - 200 MPa after quenching and tempering. Differences have also been found in values of hydrogen diffusion coefficient for different structures. This coefficient was evaluated by means of electrochemical hydrogen permeation on thin membranes prepared of studied steels. The hydrogen diffusion coefficient was significantly lower for quenched and tempered state. All the results indicate that microstructure plays an important role in the case of sulphide stress cracking. If this fact is not respected, materials non-resistant to sulphide stress cracking can be chosen.