ASTM E1681-03(2020)

Standard Test Method for Determining Threshold Stress Intensity Factor for Environment-Assisted Cracking of Metallic Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The parameters KEAC  or KIEAC  determined by this test method characterize the resistance to crack growth of a material with a sharp crack in specific environments under loading conditions in which the crack-tip plastic region is small compared with the crack depth and the uncracked ligament. The less restrictive thickness requirements of KEAC  are intended for those conditions in which the results are a strong function of the thickness of the specimen and the application requires the testing of specimens with thickness representative of the application. Since the chemical and mechanical influences cannot be separated, in some material/environment combinations, the thickness must be treated as a variable. A KEAC  or KIEAC  value is believed to represent a characteristic measurement of environment-assisted cracking resistance in a precracked specimen exposed to an environment under sustained tensile loading. A KEAC  or KIEAC  value may be used to estimate the relationship between failure stress and defect size for a material under any service condition, where the combination of crack-like defects, sustained tensile loading and the same specific environment would be expected to occur. (Background information concerning the development of this test method can be found in Refs (3-18).  
5.1.1 The apparent KEAC  or KIEAC  of a material under a given set of chemical and electrochemical environmental conditions is a function of the test duration. It is difficult to furnish a rigorous and scientific proof for the existence of a threshold (4, 5). Therefore, application of KEAC  or KIEAC  data in the design of service components should be made with awareness of the uncertainty inherent in the concept of a true threshold for environment-assisted cracking in metallic materials (6, 18). A measured KEAC  or KIEAC  value for a particular combination of material and environment may, in fact, represent an acceptably low rate of crack growth rather than an absolute upper limit f...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the environment-assisted cracking threshold stress intensity factor parameters, KIEAC  and KEAC, for metallic materials from constant-force testing of fatigue precracked beam or compact fracture specimens and from constant-displacement testing of fatigue precracked bolt-load compact fracture specimens.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to environment-assisted cracking in aqueous or other aggressive environments.  
1.3 Materials that can be tested by this test method are not limited by thickness or by strength as long as specimens are of sufficient thickness and planar size to meet the size requirements of this test method.  
1.4 A range of specimen sizes with proportional planar dimensions is provided, but size may be variable and adjusted for yield strength and applied force. Specimen thickness is a variable independent of planar size.  
1.5 Specimen configurations other than those contained in this test method may be used, provided that well-established stress intensity calibrations are available and that specimen dimensions are of sufficient size to meet the size requirements of this test method during testing.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 91.080.10 - Metal structures
• Technical Committee: E08 - Fatigue and Fracture
• Drafting Committee: E08.06 - Crack Growth Behavior

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: E1681 − 03 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Threshold Stress Intensity Factor for
1
Environment-Assisted Cracking of Metallic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1681; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the
D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean
environment-assisted cracking threshold stress intensity factor
Water
parameters, K and K , for metallic materials from
IEAC EAC
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
constant-force testing of fatigue precracked beam or compact
terials
fracture specimens and from constant-displacement testing of
E399 Test Method for Linear-Elastic Plane-Strain Fracture
fatigue precracked bolt-load compact fracture specimens.
Toughness of Metallic Materials
1.2 This test method is applicable to environment-assisted
E647 Test Method for Measurement of Fatigue Crack
cracking in aqueous or other aggressive environments.
Growth Rates
1.3 Materials that can be tested by this test method are not E1823 Terminology Relating to Fatigue and Fracture Testing
limited by thickness or by strength as long as specimens are of
G1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corro-
sufficient thickness and planar size to meet the size require- sion Test Specimens
ments of this test method.
G5 Reference Test Method for Making Potentiodynamic
Anodic Polarization Measurements
1.4 A range of specimen sizes with proportional planar
G15 Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Test-
dimensions is provided, but size may be variable and adjusted
3
ing (Withdrawn 2010)
for yield strength and applied force. Specimen thickness is a
variable independent of planar size.
3. Terminology
1.5 Specimen configurations other than those contained in
3.1 Definitions:
this test method may be used, provided that well-established
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to fracture testing
stress intensity calibrations are available and that specimen
used in this test method, refer to Terminology E1823.
dimensions are of sufficient size to meet the size requirements
3.1.2 For definitions of terms relating to corrosion testing
of this test method during testing.
used in this test method, refer to Terminology G15.
3.1.3 stress-corrosion cracking (SCC)—a cracking process
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
that requires the simultaneous action of a corrodent and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sustained tensile stress.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.4 stress intensity factor threshold for plane strain
–3/2
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. environment-assisted cracking (K [FL ])—the highest
IEAC
value of the stress intensity factor (K) at which crack growth is
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
not observed for a specified combination of material and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the environment and where the specimen size is sufficient to meet
requirements for plane strain as described in Test Method
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical E399.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.5 stress intensity factor threshold for environment-
–3/2
assisted cracking (K [FL ])—the highest value of the
EAC
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and Fracture and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E08.06 on Crack contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Growth Behavior. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally the ASTM website.
ε1 3
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E1681 - 03(2013) . The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/E1681-03R20. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1681 − 03 (2020)
stress intensity factor (K) at which crack growth is not compact [MC(W)] specimens,
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: E1681 − 03 (Reapproved 2013) E1681 − 03 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Threshold Stress Intensity Factor for
1
Environment-Assisted Cracking of Metallic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1681; 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.
1
ε NOTE—Note 4 in Fig. 7 was editorially corrected in May 2020.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the environment-assisted cracking threshold stress intensity factor parameters,
K and K , for metallic materials from constant-force testing of fatigue precracked beam or compact fracture specimens and
IEAC EAC
from constant-displacement testing of fatigue precracked bolt-load compact fracture specimens.
1.2 This test method is applicable to environment-assisted cracking in aqueous or other aggressive environments.
1.3 Materials that can be tested by this test method are not limited by thickness or by strength as long as specimens are of sufficient
thickness and planar size to meet the size requirements of this test method.
1.4 A range of specimen sizes with proportional planar dimensions is provided, but size may be variable and adjusted for yield
strength and applied force. Specimen thickness is a variable independent of planar size.
1.5 Specimen configurations other than those contained in this test method may be used, provided that well-established stress
intensity calibrations are available and that specimen dimensions are of sufficient size to meet the size requirements of this test
method during testing.
1.6 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.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E08.06 on Crack Growth
Behavior.
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2013Oct. 1, 2020. Published March 2014October 2020. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
ε2ε1
E1681 - 03(2008)(2013) . DOI: 10.1520/E1681-03R13E01.10.1520/E1681-03R20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1681 − 03 (2020)
E399 Test Method for Linear-Elastic Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness of Metallic Materials
E647 Test Method for Measurement of Fatigue Crack Growth Rates
E1823 Terminology Relating to Fatigue and Fracture Testing
G1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens
G5 Reference Test Method for Making Potentiodynamic Anodic Polarization Measurements
3
G15 Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Testing (Withdrawn 2010)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to fracture testing used in this test method, refer to Terminology E1823.
3.1.2 For definitions of terms relating to corrosion testing used in this test method, refer to Terminology G15.
3.1.3 stress-corrosion cracking (SCC)—a cracking process that requires the simultaneous action of a corrodent and sustained
tensile stress.
–3/2
3.1.4 stress intensity factor threshold for plane strain environment-assisted cracking (K [FL ])—the highest value of the
IEAC
stress intensity factor (K) at which crack growth is not observed for a specified combination of material and enviro
...