SPECIFICATION FOR TEST METHOD FOR
DETERMINATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TO STRESS
CORROSION CRACKING IN COPPER ALLOYS USING
AN AMMONIA VAPOR TEST
SB-858M
(Identical with ASTM Specification B 858M-95)
1. Scope 1.5 The values stated in SI units are the standard.
1.1 This test method describes a procedure that may 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all
be used to determine the presence of residual stresses of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
which may lead to stress corrosion cracking of wrought It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
copper alloy products. This test method uses an ammo- establish appropriate safety and health practices and
nia atmosphere to simulate service conditions under determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
which stress corrosion cracking may occur. prior to use.
1.2 This test method is only suitable for products
fabricated from copper alloys that are known to be
susceptible to stress corrosion cracking in ammonia 2. Referenced Documents
vapor atmospheres. It is intended to create an environ- 2.1 ASTM Standards
mental condition of reproducible severity, but it is well B 154 Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper
known that the critical step in the cracking mechanism and Copper Alloys
is the development of an environment in the condensate D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
film that occurs on the surface of the test specimen,
which is rich in copper complex ions. 2.2 Other Documents
ISO 6957 Copper Alloys — Ammonia Test for Stress
1.3 This test method is a conversion of ISO 6957, Corrosion Resistance
“Copper Alloys — Ammonia Test for Stress Corrosion
Resistance.”
3. Terminology
1.4 The severity of this test method depends upon
the pH of the corrosive solution. In Annex A1 are 3.1 Definitions
given four different atmospheres to which the product
3.1.1 applied stress — stress in a body due to
may be exposed, and the appropriate pH of the solution
application of an external load
to be used for the test, depending on the risk level
associated with the intended application. 3.1.2 residual stress — stresses that remain within
a body as the result of processing, which may include
1.4.1 The appropriate pH value for the test shall
plastic deformation or casting
be specified in the product specification, or as per
established agreement between the supplier and pur- 3.1.3 stress corrosion crack — spontaneous failure
chaser, with respect to the alloy and its intended of metals by cracking under combined action of corro-
application. sion and stress, residual or applied
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SB-858M 2001 SECTION II
4. Summary of Test Method 6.6 A clean organic solvent or hot alkaline solution.
4.1 The prepared test specimen is placed in a closed 6.7 Sulfuric Acid Solution (50 mL/L) — Slowly add
container and exposed to ammonia vapor at ambient 50 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) into water
temperature for 24 h. Upon removal from the test and dilute to 1 L.
atmosphere, the test specimen is examined for the
presence of cracks.
7. Apparatus
7.1 pH-meter;
5. Significance and Use
7.2 closed vessel, such as a desiccator; and
5.1 This test method is an accelerated test to determine
if a copper alloy product in a specific stress condition 7.3 equipment for examining test pieces at 10× to
will be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking when 15× magnification.
exposed to a particular atmospheric condition during
service with the appropriate risk level — see Annex
A1. This test method is generally intended to determine 8. Test Media
if a copper alloy product will crack because of internal 8.1 Slowly add sodium hydroxide solution to ammo-
stresses when subjected to the test, and is not intended nium chloride solution to give a test solution with a
for testing assemblies under applied stress. If used for pH-value appropriate to the intended application (see
this purpose it shall be for information only and not Annex A1). Maintain the solution at ambient tempera-
a cause for rejection of the assembly, its component ture and dilute with DI water up to a volume of 1 L.
parts, or the original mill product. Check the pH-value with the pH meter after dilution.
Prepare the solution preferably in a fume hood in a
laboratory using appropriate safe laboratory procedures
6. Reagents and Materials and store it in a closed vessel. Before use, check the
pH-value again, and adjust if necessary.
6.1 Purity of Reagents — Reagent grade chemicals
shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, 8.1.1 In the closed test vessel, the ratio of surface
it is intended that all reagents conform to the specifica- area of test solution to air volume of the vessel above
tions of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the the solution shall be a minimum of 20 cm2/L.
American Chemical Society where such specifications 8.2 The pickling solution for cleaning test pieces
are available. Other grades may be used, provided it before and after testing shall be 5% sulfuric acid. If
is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently necessary, for cleaning test pieces after testing, a small
high purity to permit its use without lessening the amount of hydrogen peroxide solution may be added
accuracy of the determination. to the pickling solution (for example, 20 to 30 mL
6.2 Purity of Water — Unless otherwise indicated, of hydrogen peroxide solution per liter of pickling
references to water shall be understood to mean reagent solution).
water as defined by Type IV or better, of Specification
D 1193.
9. Test Specimen Preparation
6.3 Ammonium Chloride Solution (4N) — Dissolve
107 g of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) in water and 9.1 The test specimen shall be prescribed in the
dilute to 500 mL. Store the solution in a closed vessel. material specification for the product or part being
tested. In the event that a test specimen size is not
6.4 Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), 30–35% technical prescribed in a given rod, wire, or tube specification,
grade. CAUTION — Hydrogen peroxide in high con- a full cross section having a minimum length of 152
centrations can cause severe skin burns. mm shall be tested.
6.5 Sodium Hydroxide Solution (300–500 g/L) — 9.2 The presence of burrs on the test specimen may
Dissolve 300–500 g of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) into contribute to acceleration of stress corrosion cracking
water and dilute to 1 L. Warning — Sodium hydroxide if not removed prior to the ammonia vapor test. The
can cause chemical burns to the skin and eyes. Use burrs shall be removed by fine file or abrasive paper
of proper safety equipment is advised. to facilitate this test.
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PART B — NONFERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SB-858M
9.3 Degrease the test specimen using the clean organic sufficiently clean from corrosion products to allow
solvent or alkaline solution. observation of possible cracks. After rinsing in water
and drying in warm air, examine the surface of the
9.4 After degreasing, clean the test piece in the
test piece for cracks at a magnification of 10× to 15×.
pickling solution and immediately thereafter thoroughly
rinse it, first in cold running water, then in hot water, 10.5 Before inspection, deform the test piece slightly
and finally, completely dry it in a stream of warm air. by bending or flattening to open up fine cracks to
make them more easily observable.
10.6 Metallographic examination may be used to
10. Test Procedure
determine the metallurgical nature of any observed
10.1 Allow the dry test piece to reach the exposure cracks.
temperature specified below, and transfer it immediately
to the closed vessel (see 7.2) at the same temperature,
and containing the freshly prepared test solution at the 11. Test Report
specified pH-value (see 8.1).
11.1 The test report shall contain the following
10.1.1 Suspend (or place) the test piece in such information:
a way that the ammonia vapor has free access to all
11.1.1 sample identification;
surfaces, not less than 50 mm above the test solution
surface. 11.1.2 reference to the test method used;
[Link] When placed on a porcelain support 11.1.3 the pH-value used for the solution producing
within the test vessel, the region of the test piece the ammoniacal atmosphere;
within 5 mm of the support shall be disregarded when
11.1.4 the number of replicate test pieces tested;
inspecting for cracks.
11.1.5 the test results: cracks or no cracks (as
[Link] The test piece shall be placed no less required in the appropriate product specification);
than 10 mm from the inside walls of the test vessel.
11.1.6 any other features of the material noted
[Link] When more than one test piece is placed during the determination; and
in the vessel, the test pieces shall be no less than 10
mm apart. 11.1.7 the date of the test.
10.2 The volume of the test solution shall be at
least 200 mL per square decimeter of test piece surface. 12. Precision and Bias
The exposure temperature shall be between 20°C and
12.1 No statement is made about the precision or
30°C and shall be kept constant to within ±1°C during
bias of this test method since the procedure is directed
the test. In case of dispute, the temperature shall be
at a subjective visual interpretation of condition of the
kept at 25°C ± 1°C.
specimen and its relation to an applicable product
10.3 The exposure time shall be 24 h. specification.
10.4 After exposure, remove the test piece from the
closed vessel and immediately clean it in pickling
13. Keywords
solution for a few minutes at ambient tmperature (below
40°C), or until the surfaces of the test piece are 13.1 ammonia test; residual stress; stress corrosion
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SB-858M 2001 SECTION II
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. REPRESENTATIVE pH-VALUES pH-Value Safety
Corrosiveness of Atmosphere Requirement
A1.1 On the basis of the known correlation between Low High
the behavior of test pieces in the ammonia vapor test
and the behavior of copper alloy products under service Low 8.3 9.5
conditions, the following pH-values are considered as Indoor atmosphere conditions
Moderate 9.5 10.0
being representative of atmospheres of different corro- Indoor atmosphere with risk of formation of
siveness and corresponding to different safety require- condensation
ments. Outdoor atmosphere, temperate climate 9.8 10.0
High
A1.1.1 An appropriate risk level (pH-value) shall Atmosphere with ammoniacal pollution, 10.0 10.5
be specified in the product specification. for example in stables
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. RATIONALE (COMMENTARY) X1.2 This test method does not attempt to compare
the effectiveness of the test to other test methods,
X1.1 This standard was developed to address the
including the mercurous nitrate test, Test Method B
demand for a test method for determination of the
154, nor does it attempt to quantify its relative effective-
presence of residual stresses in copper alloy products
ness on various copper alloy products. These issues
which may lead to stress corrosion cracking other than
must be addressed on a case by case basis, since such
the mercurous nitrate test, Test Method B 154. This
products and tests are specific for their respective
test method is a conversion of ISO 6957 “Copper
requirements and applications.
Alloys — Ammonia Test for Stress Corrosion Resist-
ance.” Research work performed by Mattsson, et al.,
validates the technical integrity of the test method.
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