ASTM G186-05(2021)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Whether Gas-Leak-Detector Fluid Solutions Can Cause Stress Corrosion Cracking of Brass Alloys
Standard Test Method for Determining Whether Gas-Leak-Detector Fluid Solutions Can Cause Stress Corrosion Cracking of Brass Alloys
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Brass components are routinely used in compressed gas service for valves, pressure regulators, connectors and many other components. Although soft brass is not susceptible to ammonia SCC, work-hardened brass is susceptible if its hardness exceeds about 54 HR 30T (55HRB) (Rockwell scale). Normal assembly of brass components should not induce sufficient work hardening to cause susceptibility to ammonia SCC. However, it is has been observed that over-tightening of the components will render them susceptible to SCC, and the problem becomes more severe in older components that have been tightened many times. In this test, the specimens are obtained in the hardened condition and are strained beyond the elastic limit to accelerate the tendency towards SCC.
5.2 It is normal practice to use LDFs to check pressurized systems to assure that leaking is not occurring. LDFs are usually aqueous solutions containing surfactants that will form bubbles at the site of a leak. If the LDF contains ammonia or other agent that can cause SCC in brass, serious damage can occur to the system that will compromise its safety and integrity.
5.3 It is important to test LDFs to assure that they do not cause SCC of brass and to assure that the use of these products does not compromise the integrity of the pressure containing system.
5.4 It has been found that corrosion of brass is necessary before SCC can occur. The reason for this is that the corrosion process results in cupric and cuprous ions accumulating in the electrolyte. Therefore, adding copper metal and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) to the aqueous solution accelerates the SCC process if agents that cause SCC are present. However, adding these components to a solution that does not cause SCC will not make stressed brass crack.
5.5 Repeated application of the solution to the specimen followed by a drying period causes the components in the solution to concentrate thereby further increasing the rate of cracking. This also simulates se...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers an accelerated test method for evaluating the tendency of gas leak detection fluids (LDFs) to cause stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of brass components in compressed gas service.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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
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: G186 − 05 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Whether Gas-Leak-Detector Fluid Solutions
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Can Cause Stress Corrosion Cracking of Brass Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G186; 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 G15TerminologyRelatingtoCorrosionandCorrosionTest-
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ing (Withdrawn 2010)
1.1 This test method covers an accelerated test method for
G37Practice for Use of Mattsson’s Solution of pH 7.2 to
evaluating the tendency of gas leak detection fluids (LDFs) to
Evaluate the Stress-Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of
cause stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of brass components in
Copper-Zinc Alloys
compressed gas service.
G38 Practice for Making and Using C-Ring Stress-
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Corrosion Test Specimens
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3. Terminology
and are not considered standard.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 Gas Leak Detector Solutions—Also known as leak
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
detection fluids, leak detector solutions, bubble solutions, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
soap solutions, designated in this standard as LDFs, are fluids
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
used to detect leaks in pressurized gas systems by the forma-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion of bubbles at the leak site.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.1.2 The terminology used herein, if not specifically de-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the finedotherwise,shallbeinaccordancewithTerminologyG15.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4. Summary of Test Method
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 This test method consists of three steps: The first step
consistsofrunningasampleofthetestspecimenstoverifythat
2. Referenced Documents
they are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking using Matts-
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
son’sSolution(seePracticeG37).Thesecondstepistoexpose
B135SpecificationforSeamlessBrassTube[Metric]B0135
the specimens to a solution that does not cause SCC to verify
_B0135M
thatthetestenvironmentdoesnotcontaincomponentsthatcan
B135MSpecification for Seamless Brass Tube [Metric]
cause SCC to brass. The third step is to test the LDF to
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(Withdrawn 2017)
determine if it causes SCC of the brass specimens within 15
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
wetting and evaporation cycles.
G1Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corro-
4.2 The specimen used in this test is a C-ring stressed to
sion Test Specimens
createatleast0.65%strainintheouterfibersofthespecimen.
4.3 Macroscopic examination of the specimens is carried
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on
out after every second wetting cycle and if cracking is
Corrosion of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.06 on
suspected the specimen is examined at higher magnifications
Environmentally Assisted Cracking.
for confirmation. Metallographic sectioning through the
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as G186–05 (2016). stressed area is used to verify minor cracking at the end of the
DOI: 10.1520/G0186-05R21.
fifteen cycles.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.4 LDFs that cause SCC in any specimens within 15
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
wetting cycles are considered to have failed this test and not
the ASTM website.
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suitable for use in pressurized gas systems with brass compo-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. nents.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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G186 − 05 (2021)
5. Significance and Use 6.3 In this test, the susceptib
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