ASTM B154-12

Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is an accelerated test for detecting the presence of residual (internal) stresses that might result in failure of individual parts in storage or in service due to stress corrosion cracking.  
5.2 This test method is not intended for use on assemblies or parts under applied stress. If used for that purpose, the results shall be for information only and not a cause for rejection of the assembly, its component parts, or the original mill product.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the technique for conducting the mercurous nitrate test for residual stresses in wrought copper alloy mill products.Note 1—For any particular copper alloy, reference should be made to the material specification.Note 2—Test Method B858 may be considered as a possible alternative test method which does not involve the use of mercury.Note 3—This test method is considered historically reliable for determining the potential state of residual stress in copper alloys, but not promoted for use due to the hazards relating to mercury use and environmentally appropriate disposal.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 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 determines the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary and hazard statements see Sections 1, 6, and 7. (Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA's website – http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm – for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state may be prohibited by state law.)

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2012
• ICS: 77.120.30 - Copper and copper alloys
• Technical Committee: B05 - Copper and Copper Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B05.06 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B154-05 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Replaced By: ASTM B154-12e1 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B956-19e1 - Standard Specification for Welded Copper and Copper-Alloy Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes with Integral Fins
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B543/B543M-18 - Standard Specification for Welded Copper and Copper-Alloy Heat Exchanger Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B371/B371M-19 - Standard Specification for Copper-Zinc-Silicon Alloy Rod
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B135/B135M-17 - Standard Specification for Seamless Brass Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B395/B395M-18 - Standard Specification for U-Bend Seamless Copper and Copper Alloy Heat Exchanger and Condenser Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F3042-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Nonferrous Hex Socket, Slotted Headless, and Square Head Set Screws
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B858-06(2018) - Standard Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B950-22 - Standard Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B552-19 - Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Copper–Nickel Tubes for Water Desalting Plants
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F467M-06a(2018) - Standard Specification for Nonferrous Nuts for General Use (Metric)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM B19-20 - Standard Specification for Cartridge Brass Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, and Disks
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F1387-23 - Standard Specification for Performance of Piping and Tubing Mechanically Attached Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• 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-Oct-2012

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: B154 − 12
StandardTest Method for
1
Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B154; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method describes the technique for conducting 2.1 ASTM Standards:
the mercurous nitrate test for residual stresses in wrought B846Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
copper alloy mill products. B858TestMethodforAmmoniaVaporTestforDetermining
NOTE 1—For any particular copper alloy, reference should be made to
Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper
the material specification.
Alloys
NOTE2—TestMethodB858maybeconsideredasapossiblealternative
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
test method which does not involve the use of mercury.
NOTE 3—This test method is considered historically reliable for
3. Terminology
determining the potential state of residual stress in copper alloys, but not
promoted for use due to the hazards relating to mercury use and
3.1 For terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer to
environmentally appropriate disposal.
Terminology B846.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
4. Summary of Test Method
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only.
4.1 The prepared test specimen is completely immersed in
the mercurous nitrate test solution for 30 min at ambient
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
temperature. Upon removal from the solution, the test speci-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
men is wiped and immediately examined visually for cracks.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determines the applica-
5. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
precautionary and hazard statements see Sections 1, 6, and7. 5.1 This test method is an accelerated test for detecting the
(Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many presence of residual (internal) stresses that might result in
state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central failure of individual parts in storage or in service due to stress
corrosion cracking.
nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its
vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.
5.2 Thistestmethodisnotintendedforuseonassembliesor
Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury
parts under applied stress. If used for that purpose, the results
containing products. See the applicable product Material
shall be for information only and not a cause for rejection of
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website –
the assembly, its component parts, or the original mill product.
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm – for additional informa-
tion. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or 6. Reagents and Materials
mercury containing products into your state may be prohibited
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
by state law.)
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee B05 on Copper
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.06 on
2
Methods of Test. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as B154–05. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/B0154-12. 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
1

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B154 − 12
Analytical Reagent of the American Chemical Society where shaking until there is an excess as indicated by the pink color,
3
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, which persists for several minutes.
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently 6.5.4 Add iron (II) sulfate (FeSO ) crystals until the
4
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of solution,whenshaken,becomesclear.Thentitratethesolution
the determination.
...

Designation: B154 − 05 B154 − 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B154; 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 (´) 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*
1.1 This test method describes the technique for conducting the mercurous nitrate test for residual stresses in wrought copper
alloy mill products.
NOTE 1—For any particular copper alloy, reference should be made to the material specification.
NOTE 1—For any particular copper alloy, reference should be made to the material specification.
NOTE 2—Test Method B858 may be considered as a possible alternative test method which does not involve the use of mercury.
NOTE 3—This test method is considered historically reliable for determining the potential state of residual stress in copper alloys, but not promoted
for use due to the hazards relating to mercury use and environmentally appropriate disposal.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.3 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 determines the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary and hazard statements see Sections 1, 6, and 7.(Warning—Mercury is a definite
health hazard in use and disposal.)has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause
central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.
Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website – http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm – for additional information. Users should be
aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state may be prohibited by state law.)
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
B858 Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 For terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The prepared test specimen is completely immersed in the mercurous nitrate test solution for 30 min at ambient temperature.
Upon removal from the solution, the test specimen is washedwiped and immediately examined visually for cracks.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is an accelerated test for detecting the presence of residual (internal) stresses that might result in failure
of individual parts in storage or in service due to stress corrosion cracking.
5.2 This test method is not intended for use on assemblies or parts under applied stress. If used for that purpose, the results shall
be for information only and not a cause for rejection of the assembly, its component parts, or the original mill product.
6. Reagents and Materials
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all
reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagent of the American Chemical Society where such
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B154 − 12
3
specifications are available. Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high purity
to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be understood to mean Type IV reagent water or
better, as defined of Specification D1193.
6.3 Mercurous Nitrate Solution—The solution shall be an aqueous mercurous nitrate solution containing 10 g of mercurous
nitrate solution (HgNO ) and 10 mL of nitiric acid (HNO ) (sp gr 1.42) per litre of solution.
3 3
6.4 Preparation—The aqueous mercurous nitrate solution shall be prepared by either of the following procedures, A or B. Used
solutions may be replenished as described in 6.5.
6.4.1 Procedure A—Dissolve 11.4 g of HgNO ·2H O or 10.7 g of HgNO ·H O in approximately 40 mL of distilled water
3 2 3 2
acidified with 10 mL of HNO (sp gr 1.42). After the crystals are completely dissolved, dilute the s
...