ASTM G46-94(2005)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Examination and Evaluation of Pitting Corrosion
Standard Guide for Examination and Evaluation of Pitting Corrosion
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
It is important to be able to determine the extent of pitting, either in a service application where it is necessary to predict the remaining life in a metal structure, or in laboratory test programs that are used to select the most pitting-resistant materials for service.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection of procedures that can be used in the identification and examination of pits and in the evaluation of pitting (See Terminology G 15) corrosion to determine the extent of its effect.
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.
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Designation: G46 − 94(Reapproved 2005)
Standard Guide for
1
Examination and Evaluation of Pitting Corrosion
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationG46;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Identification and Examination of Pits
4.1 VisualInspection—Avisualexaminationofthecorroded
1.1 Thisguidecoverstheselectionofproceduresthatcanbe
used in the identification and examination of pits and in the metal surface is usually beneficial, and this is done under
evaluation of pitting (See Terminology G15) corrosion to ordinary light, with or without the use of a low-power
determine the extent of its effect. magnifying glass, to determine the extent of corrosion and the
apparentlocationofpits.Itisoftenadvisabletophotographthe
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
corroded surface at this point so that it can be compared with
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the clean surface after the removal of corrosion products.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.1 If the metal specimen has been exposed to an un-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
knownenvironment,thecompositionofthecorrosionproducts
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
may be of value in determining the cause of corrosion. Follow
recommended procedures in the removal of particulate corro-
2. Referenced Documents
sion products and reserve them for future identification (see
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NACE RP-01-73).
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
4.1.2 To expose the pits fully, use recommended cleaning
G1Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corro-
procedures to remove the corrosion products and avoid solu-
sion Test Specimens
tions that attack the base metal excessively (see Practice G1).
G15TerminologyRelatingtoCorrosionandCorrosionTest-
It may be advisable during cleaning to probe the pits with a
3
ing (Withdrawn 2010)
pointed tool to determine the extent of undercutting or subsur-
G16Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion
face corrosion (Fig. 1). However, scrubbing with a stiff bristle
Data
brush will often enlarge the pit openings sufficiently by
2.2 National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard:
removal of corrosion products, or undercut metal to make the
NACE RP-01-73Collection and Identification of Corrosion pits easier to evaluate.
4
Products
4.1.3 Examine the cleaned metal surface under ordinary
lighttodeterminetheapproximatesizeanddistributionofpits.
3. Significance and Use
Follow this procedure by a more detailed examination through
a microscope using low magnification (20×).
3.1 It is important to be able to determine the extent of
4.1.4 Determine the size, shape, and density of pits.
pitting, either in a service application where it is necessary to
4.1.4.1 Pits may have various sizes and shapes. A visual
predict the remaining life in a metal structure, or in laboratory
examinationofthemetalsurfacemayshowaround,elongated,
test programs that are used to select the most pitting-resistant
or irregular opening, but it seldom provides an accurate
materials for service.
indication of corrosion beneath the surface. Thus, it is often
necessary to cross section the pit to see its actual shape and to
determine its true depth. Several variations in the cross-
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee G01 on Corrosion of
sectioned shape of pits are shown in Fig. 1.
Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.05 on Laboratory
4.1.4.2 It is a tedious job to determine pit density by
Corrosion Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally
counting pits through a microscope eyepiece, but the task can
approvedin1976.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin1999asG46–94(1999).DOI:
be made easier by the use of a plastic grid. Place the grid,
10.1520/G0046-94R05.
containing3to6-mmsquares,onthemetalsurface.Countand
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
record the number of pits in each square, and move across the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
grid in a systematic manner until all the surface has been
the ASTM website.
covered. This approach minimizes eyestrain because the eyes
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
can be taken from the field of view without fear of losing the
www.astm.org.
4
Insert in Materials Protection and Performance, Vol 12, June 1973, p. 65. area of intere
...
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