ASTM B577-93(2004)

Standard Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe procedures for determining the presence of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) in products made from deoxidized and oxygen-free copper.
1.2 Inch-pound units are the standard. SI values given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 The test methods appear in the following order:
1.4 This test method describes a procedure by which the presence of cuprous oxide is determined by polarized light microscopy examination at a minimum magnification of 75.
1.5 This test method describes a procedure by which the presence of cuprous oxide is determined by microscopical examination under normal illumination at a minimum magnification of 75 after thermal treatment of the specimens.
1.6 This test method describes a procedure by which the presence of cuprous oxide (hydrogen embrittlement) is determined by bending thermally treated specimens into a flattened "U" shape.
1.7 This test method describes a procedure in which the presence of cuprous oxide (hydrogen embrittlement) is determined by subjecting thermally treated specimens to a predetermined number of bends.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2004
• Technical Committee: B05 - Copper and Copper Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B05.06 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B577-93(1998) - Standard Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Replaced By: ASTM B577-93(2004)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B640-12a(2021) - Standard Specification for Welded Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B75/B75M-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B280-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Service
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B42-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Pipe, Standard Sizes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B1014-20 - Standard Specification for Welded Copper and Copper Alloy Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes with a Textured Surface(s)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B302-17 - Standard Specification for Threadless Copper Pipe, Standard Sizes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B743-23 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube in Coils
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B837-19 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube for Natural Gas and Liquified Petroleum (LP) Gas Fuel Distribution Systems
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B447-12a(2021) - Standard Specification for Welded Copper Tube
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B170-99(2020) - Standard Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper—Refinery Shapes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B919-19 - Standard Specification for Welded Copper Heat Exchanger Tubes With Internal Enhancement
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B187/B187M-20 - Standard Specification for Copper, Bus Bar, Rod, and Shapes and General Purpose Rod, Bar, and Shapes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B1003-16 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube for Linesets
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: B 577 – 93 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Methods for
Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement
1
Susceptibility) in Copper
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 577; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 3.1.2 embrittlement—the reduction of the normal ductility
in a metal as a result of a physical or chemical change.
1.1 These test methods describe procedures for determining
3.1.2.1 Embrittlement, as it relates to these test methods, is
the presence of cuprous oxide (Cu O) in products made from
2
the loss of ductility caused by the reaction of cuprous oxide in
deoxidized and oxygen-free copper.
the copper material when exposed at elevated temperatures to
1.2 Inch-pound units are the standard. SI values given in
a reducing atmosphere.
parentheses are for information only.
3.1.3 oxygen-free copper—electrolytic copper produced
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
substantially free of cuprous oxide without the use of metallic
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
or metalloidal deoxidizers as determined by metallographic
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
examination at 753 under polarized light,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.3.1 Oxygen may be present up to a maximum of 5 ppm
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
in Copper UNS No. C10100 and 10 ppm in Copper UNS No.
1.4 The test methods appear in the following order:
C10200.
Sections
4. Summary of Test Methods
Microscopical Examination without Thermal Treatment 9-11
Microscopical Examination after Thermal Treatment 12-14
4.1 The presence of cuprous oxide is determined either by
Closed Bend Test after Thermal Treatment 15-17
microscopical examination under polarized light or by methods
Reverse Bend Test after Thermal Treatment 18-20
that involve heating the test specimens in a hydrogen-rich
2. Referenced Documents
atmosphere and rapidly cooling the specimens without undue
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: exposure to air followed by a microscopical examination or a
E 3 Practice for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
suitable bend test.
E 883 Guide for Reflected-Light Photomicrography
5. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
5.1 These test methods determine whether copper products
3.1 Definitions:
will be resistant to embrittlement when exposed to elevated
3.1.1 deoxidized copper—material produced substantially
temperatures in a reducing atmosphere.
free of cuprous oxide, by the use of metallic or metalloidal
5.1.1 It is assumed that all who use these test methods will
deoxidizers, as determined by metallographic examination at
be trained personnel capable of performing these procedures
753 under polarized light.
skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed
3.1.1.1 Oxygen may be present as residual deoxidation
in a properly equipped facility.
products.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Test Method A—Metallographic equipment of the type
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper
described in Practice E 3 and Guide E 883 suitably equipped
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.06 on
with a polarized light illuminating device.
Methods of Test.
Current edition approved May 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally 6.2 Test Methods B, C, and D:
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as B 577 – 93 (1998).
6.2.1 Metallographic equipment of the type described in
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Practice E 3 and Guide E 883 provided with normal illumina-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
tion.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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B 577 – 93 (2004)
6.2.2 A furnace of sufficient capacity, capable of maintain- 10. Procedure
ing the required reducing atmosphere while the specimens are
10.1 The test specimens taken transverse to and bounded by
being heated. A rapid cooling device using either water or a
an original surface of the material are mounted and polished in
reducing atmosphere is required.
accordance with Practice E 3.
6.2.3 A machinist vise with replac
...