ASTM B577-93(1998)

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.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.  
1.4 The test methods appear in the following order:  Sections Microscopical Examination without Thermal Treatment 9 to 11 Microscopical Examination after Thermal Treatment 12 to 14 Closed Bend Test after Thermal Treatment 15 to 17 Reverse Bend Test after Thermal Treatment 18 to 20

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Oct-1998
• ICS: 77.120.30 - Copper and copper alloys
• Technical Committee: B05 - Copper and Copper Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B05.06 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM B577-93(2004) - Standard Test Methods for Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility) in Copper
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM B88-22 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B743-23 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube in Coils
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B170-99(2020) - Standard Specification for Oxygen-Free Electrolytic Copper—Refinery Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B950-22 - Standard Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Copper and Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B42-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Pipe, Standard Sizes
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B88M-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube (Metric)
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B272-12(2019) - Standard Specification for Copper Flat Products with Finished (Rolled or Drawn) Edges (Flat Wire and Strip)
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B640-12a(2021) - Standard Specification for Welded Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B372-22 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper and Copper-Alloy Rectangular Waveguide Tube
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B360-20 - Standard Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Capillary Tube for Restrictor Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B447-12a(2021) - Standard Specification for Welded Copper Tube
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B837-19 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube for Natural Gas and Liquified Petroleum (LP) Gas Fuel Distribution Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B919-19 - Standard Specification for Welded Copper Heat Exchanger Tubes With Internal Enhancement
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998
• Referred By: ASTM B49-20 - Standard Specification for Copper Rod for Electrical Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1998

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 1998)
Standard Test Methods for
Detection of Cuprous Oxide (Hydrogen Embrittlement
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 * the copper material when exposed at elevated temperatures to
a reducing atmosphere.
1.1 These test methods describe procedures for determining
3.1.3 oxygen-free copper—electrolytic copper produced
the presence of cuprous oxide (Cu O) in products made from
substantially free of cuprous oxide without the use of metallic
deoxidized and oxygen-free copper.
or metalloidal deoxidizers as determined by metallographic
1.2 Inch-pound units are the standard. SI values given in
examination at 753 under polarized light,
parentheses are for information only.
3.1.3.1 Oxygen may be present up to a maximum of 5 ppm
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
in Copper UNS No. C10100 and 10 ppm in Copper UNS No.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
C10200.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Methods
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The presence of cuprous oxide is determined either by
1.4 The test methods appear in the following order:
microscopical examination under polarized light or by methods
Sections
that involve heating the test specimens in a hydrogen-rich
Microscopical Examination without Thermal Treatment 9-11
atmosphere and rapidly cooling the specimens without undue
Microscopical Examination after Thermal Treatment 12-14
exposure to air followed by a microscopical examination or a
Closed Bend Test after Thermal Treatment 15-17
suitable bend test.
Reverse Bend Test after Thermal Treatment 18-20
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.1 These test methods determine whether copper products
E 3 Methods of Preparation of Metallographic Specimens will be resistant to embrittlement when exposed to elevated
E 883 Guide for Reflected-Light Photomicrography temperatures in a reducing atmosphere.
5.1.1 It is assumed that all who use these test methods will
3. Terminology
be trained personnel capable of performing these procedures
3.1 Definitions:
skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed
3.1.1 deoxidized copper—material produced substantially
in a properly equipped facility.
free of cuprous oxide, by the use of metallic or metalloidal
6. Apparatus
deoxidizers, as determined by metallographic examination at
753 under polarized light.
6.1 Test Method A—Metallographic equipment of the type
3.1.1.1 Oxygen may be present as residual deoxidation described in Methods E 3 and Guide E 883 suitably equipped
products.
with a polarized light illuminating device.
3.1.2 embrittlement—the reduction of the normal ductility 6.2 Test Methods B, C, and D:
in a metal as a result of a physical or chemical change.
6.2.1 Metallographic equipment of the type described in
3.1.2.1 Embrittlement, as it relates to these test methods, is Methods E 3 and Guide E 883 provided with normal illumina-
the loss of ductility caused by the reaction of cuprous oxide in
tion.
6.2.2 A furnace of sufficient capacity, capable of maintain-
ing the required reducing atmosphere while the specimens are
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper
being heated. A rapid cooling device using either water or a
and Copper Alloysand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.06on
Methods of Test. reducing atmosphere is required.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 1993. Published February 1994. Originally
6.2.3 A machinist vise with replaceable matching pairs of
published as B 577 – 73. Last previous edition B 577 – 88.
jaw mandrels of various radii contours.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
*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.
B 577 – 93 (1998)
7. Sampling 10.2 The polished, but unetched, surface of the specimens
are examined under reflected polarized light at a minimum
7.1 Sampling shall be in accordance with the requirements
magnification of 753.
of the specification under which the material was ordered.
10.2.1 Cuprous oxide will appear as ruby-red particles.
8. Test Specimens 10.2.2 Cuprous oxide will appear as blue particles under
white light.
8.1 Longitudinal specimens, that is, specimens whose axes
are parallel to the direction of working are preferable. How-
11. Application
ever, equally reliable results can be obtained with specimens in
11.1 This test method is applicable to Copper UNS Nos.
which the axis is perpendicular to the directions of working.
8.2 Specimens shall be of dimensions suitable for the C10100, C10200, C10300, C10400, C10500, C10700, C11700,
and C12000.
performance of the required tests. Where necessary to cut a
specimen from an oversize piece of material, at least one of the
TEST METHOD B—MICROSCOPICAL
original surfaces of the material shall be retained in the test
EXAMINATION AFTER THERMAL TREATMENT
specimen. Suggested dimensions for test specimens are given
in the following table (for Procedures C or D):
12. Scope
Wrought Products Suggested Dimensions for
Test Specimens
12.1 This test method describes a procedure by which the
presence of cuprous oxide is determined by microscopical
Flats (wire, strip, sheets, bar, thickness—that of the product but should not
and plate) exceed ⁄2 in. (13 mm) examination under normal illumination at a minimum magni-
width—approx. ⁄2 in. (13 mm)
fication of 753 after thermal treatment of the specimens.
length—approx. 6 in. (152 mm)
Shapes and forgings To the extent that the dimensions of the ma-
terial permit, the dimensions of the test 13. Procedure
specimens are those suggested for the flat
13.1 Heat the cleaned and degreased specimens which
products specimens.
(Where the product dimensions, particularly retain at least one original surface for 20 to 40 min in an
length, as in the case of forgings, do not
atmosphere of at least 10 % hydrogen within a furnace held at
permit taking a specimen, the total
a temperature of 1562 6 45°F (850 6 25°C).
product may then become the test spec-
imen for examination by Procedures A
13.2 After the heat treatment, immediately remove and
or B.)
quench the specimens in water without undue exposure to air
Wire or rod diameter or distance between parallel
or quickly cool the specimens in the same atmosphere.
surfaces—that of the product but not t
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