ASTM B858-06(2018)

Standard Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is an accelerated test to determine if a copper alloy product will be susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking when exposed to a particular atmospheric condition during service with the appropriate risk level—see Annex A1.  
5.1.1 This test method is generally intended to determine if a copper alloy product will crack because of internal stresses when subjected to the test, and is not intended for testing assemblies under applied stress. If used for this purpose, it 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 a procedure to determine the presence of residual stresses in wrought copper alloy products that may lead to stress corrosion cracking. An ammonia vapor atmosphere is used as an accelerated test.  
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 vapor atmospheres. It is intended to create an environmental condition of reproducible severity.
Note 1: It is well known that the critical step in the cracking mechanism is the development of an environment in the condensate film that occurs on the surface of the test specimen, and is rich in copper complex ions.  
1.3 The severity of this test method depends upon the pH of the corrosive solution. In Annex A1 are given four different atmospheres to which the product may be exposed, and the appropriate pH of the solution to be used for the test, depending on the risk level associated with the intended application.  
1.3.1 The appropriate pH value for the test shall be specified in the product specification, or as per established agreement between the supplier and purchaser, with respect to the alloy and its intended application.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2018
• 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 B858-06(2012) - Standard Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM B846-19a - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM B846-19 - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM B154-12e1 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Refers: ASTM B154-12 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Refers: ASTM B846-11a - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM B846-11 - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Refers: ASTM B846-09a - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM B846-09 - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM B846-06a - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM B846-06 - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 15-May-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM B846-05 - Standard Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2005
• Refers: ASTM B154-05 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005
• Refers: ASTM B154-01 - Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2001

Overview

ASTM B858-06(2018), titled Standard Test Method for Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys, is a crucial international standard issued by ASTM International. This method establishes a reliable, accelerated test for evaluating whether wrought copper alloy products are prone to stress corrosion cracking when exposed to ammonia vapor atmospheres. By simulating hostile environmental conditions, the standard provides manufacturers and users with a meaningful assessment of product durability under service-like conditions, focusing on residual stresses inherent to fabrication processes.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application

  • Applies to wrought copper alloy products with known susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking in ammonia vapor atmospheres.
  • Not suitable for testing assemblies under applied load; intended primarily for evaluating effects of internal residual stresses.

• Testing Environment

  • Utilizes a controlled ammonia vapor atmosphere to create a reproducible, accelerated corrosion attack.
  • The severity of the test is governed by the pH of the ammonia solution, which must be specified in product documentation or through agreement between supplier and purchaser.

• Procedure Highlights

  • Test specimens are exposed to ammonia vapor at a controlled temperature for a defined duration (typically 24 hours).
  • After exposure, parts are cleaned and visually examined (using 10× to 15× magnification) for presence of cracks.
  • The test solution pH is chosen based on the risk level and intended application environment.

• Safety and Compliance

  • Adheres to internationally recognized principles from the World Trade Organization’s TBT Committee.
  • Users are responsible for implementing appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices.

Applications

Implementing ASTM B858-06(2018) offers practical value across numerous industries where the long-term integrity of copper alloy components is critical:

• Quality Control in Manufacturing

  • Provides an accelerated assessment of residual stress-related cracking risks before components are deployed, aiding manufacturers in meeting quality standards and customer specifications.
  • Supports process optimization by helping identify and mitigate stress corrosion cracking risks during product development and post-fabrication.

• Material Selection and Specification

  • Assists engineers and designers in selecting appropriate copper alloys for environments where stress corrosion is a concern, notably in HVAC, marine, and power transmission applications.
  • Ensures components destined for ammonia-rich or highly humid conditions meet service-life expectations and safety requirements.

• Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

  • Aligns with international best practices and facilitates compliance with procurement contracts or regulatory mandates that call for documented resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
  • Provides end-users and purchasers with confidence in the operational reliability of copper alloy products.

Related Standards

For comprehensive corrosion resistance testing and copper alloy assessment, the following ASTM standards are closely related:

• ASTM B154: Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys – an alternative approach for assessing stress corrosion cracking.
• ASTM B846: Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys – provides definitions and guidance pertaining to material terms referenced in B858.
• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water – specifies water quality for preparing test solutions.

Keywords

ammonia vapor test, ASTM B858, copper alloy, stress corrosion cracking, residual stress, accelerated corrosion test, material qualification, quality control, corrosion resistance standards, ammonia atmospheric corrosion

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B858 − 06 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Ammonia Vapor Test for Determining Susceptibility to
Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B858; 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.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This test method describes a procedure to determine the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
presence of residual stresses in wrought copper alloy products
that may lead to stress corrosion cracking.An ammonia vapor
2. Referenced Documents
atmosphere is used as an accelerated test.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This test method is only suitable for products fabricated
B154Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper
from copper alloys that are known to be susceptible to stress
Alloys
corrosion cracking in ammonia vapor atmospheres. It is in-
B846Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
tended to create an environmental condition of reproducible
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
severity.
NOTE 1—It is well known that the critical step in the cracking
3. Terminology
mechanism is the development of an environment in the condensate film
3.1 For definitions of terms related to copper and copper
that occurs on the surface of the test specimen, and is rich in copper
complex ions. alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
1.3 TheseverityofthistestmethoddependsuponthepHof 3.2 Definitions:
the corrosive solution. In Annex A1 are given four different
3.2.1 applied stress, n—stress in a body as a result of
atmospheres to which the product may be exposed, and the application of an external load.
appropriate pH of the solution to be used for the test,
4. Summary of Test Method
depending on the risk level associated with the intended
application.
4.1 The prepared test specimen is placed in a closed
1.3.1 TheappropriatepHvalueforthetestshallbespecified
container and exposed to ammonia vapor with a specific pH at
in the product specification, or as per established agreement
ambient temperature for 24 h. Upon removal from the test
between the supplier and purchaser, with respect to the alloy
atmosphere, the test specimen is examined for the presence of
and its intended application.
cracks.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
5. Significance and Use
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
standard.
5.1 This test method is an accelerated test to determine if a
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the copper alloy product will be susceptible to stress-corrosion
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the cracking when exposed to a particular atmospheric condition
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- during service with the appropriate risk level—see AnnexA1.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 5.1.1 This test method is generally intended to determine if
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. a copper alloy product will crack because of internal stresses
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- when subjected to the test, and is not intended for testing
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- assembliesunderappliedstress.Ifusedforthispurpose,itshall
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the be for information only and not a cause for rejection of the
assembly, its component parts, or the original mill product.
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
Methods of Test. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as B858 – 06 (2012). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/B0858-06R18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B858 − 06 (2018)
6. Apparatus cleaning test pieces after testing, a small amount of hydrogen
peroxide solution may be added to the pickling solution (for
6.1 pH meter.
example, 20 to 30 mL of hydrogen peroxide solution per litre
6.2 Closed vessel, such as a desiccator.
of pickling solution).
6.3 Equipment for examining test pieces at 10× to 15×
9. Test Specimen Preparation
magnification.
9.1 The test specimen size shall be prescribed in the
7. Reagents and Materials
specification of the product or part being tested. In the event
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be that a test specimen size is not prescribed in a given rod, wire,
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that or tube specification, a full cross section having a minimum
length of 152 mm shall be tested.
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Analytical Reagents of theAmerican Chemical Society where
9.2 The presence of burrs on the test specimen may con-
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
tribute to acceleration of stress corrosion cracking if not
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
removed before the ammonia vapor test. The burrs shall be
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
removed by fine file or abrasive paper to facilitate this test.
the determination.
9.3 Degrease the test specimen using the clean organic
7.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
solvent or alkaline solution.
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
9.4 After degreasing, clean the test piece in the pickling
by Type IV or better, of Specification D1193.
solution and immediately thereafter thoroughly rinse it, first in
7.3 Ammonium Chloride Solution (4N)—Dissolve 107 g of
cold running water, then in hot water, and finally, completely
ammonium chloride (NH Cl) in water and dilute to 500 mL.
dry it in a stream of warm air.
Store the solution in a closed vessel.
10. Test Procedure
7.4 Hydrogen Peroxide (H O ), 30 to 35% technical grade.
2 2
(Warning—Hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations can 10.1 Allow the dry test piece to reach the exposure tem-
cause severe skin burns. Use of proper safety equipment is
perature specified below, and transfer it immediately to the
advised.) closedvessel(see6.2)atthesametemperature,andcontaining
thefreshlypreparedtestsolutionatthespecifiedpHvalue(see
7.5 Sodium Hydroxide Solution (300 to 500 g/L)—Dissolve
8.1).
300 to 500 g o
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