Astm G49 2011
Astm G49 2011
Astm G49 2011
1. Scope
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 This practice covers the use of axially loaded, quantitatively stressed ASTM standard tension test specimens for
investigating the resistance to stress-corrosion cracking of
metallic materials in all types of product forms. Consideration
is given to important factors in the selection of appropriate
specimens, the design of loading equipment, and the effects of
these factors on the state of stress in the specimen as corrosion
occurs.
2. Referenced Documents
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
G49 85 (2011)
specimen, this factor should be given careful consideration
with regard to the object of the investigation. Although larger
specimens may be more representative of most actual
structures, they often cannot be machined from product forms
to be evaluated; and they present more difficulties in stressing
and handling in the laboratory. Also, larger specimens of some
materials may require longer exposure periods than smaller
specimens.
5.3 Smaller cross-section specimens are widely used because they (1) have a greater sensitivity to the initiation of
stress-corrosion cracking, (2) usually give test results more
quickly, and (3) permit greater convenience in testing. On the
other hand, the smaller specimens are more difficult to
machine, and their performance is more likely to be influenced
by extraneous stress concentrations resulting from non-axial
loading, corrosion pits, etc. Therefore, specimens less than
about 10 mm (0.4 in.) in gauge length or 3.0 mm (0.12 in.) in
diameter are not recommended for general use.
5.4 Tension specimens containing machined notches have
been used in studies of stress-corrosion cracking and hydrogen
embrittlement (3). The presence of a notch induces a triaxial
stress state at the root of the notch wherein the actual stress will
be greater by a concentration factor dependent on the notch
geometry. Advantages of such specimens include the probable
localization of cracking to the notch region and acceleration of
failure. However, unless directly related to practical conditions
of usage, spurious results may ensue.
FIG. 1 Effect of Loading Method and Extent of Cracking or Corrosion Pattern on Average Net Section Stress
6. Stress Considerations
6.1 There are several factors that may introduce bending
moments on specimens, such as a longitudinal curvature,
misalignment of threads on threaded-end round specimens, and
the corners of sheet-type specimens. The significance of these
factors is greater for specimens with smaller cross sections.
Even though eccentricity in loading can be minimized to equal
the same standards accepted for tension testing machines,
inevitably, there is some variation in the tensile stress around
the circumference of the test specimen which can be of such
magnitude that it will introduce considerable error in the
desired stress. Tests should be made on specimens with strain
gages affixed to the specimen surface (around the circumference in 90 or 120 intervals) to verify strain and stress
uniformity and determine if machining practices and stressing
jigs are of adequate tolerance and quality.
7. Stressing Methods
7.1 General Considerations:
7.1.1 Tension specimens may be subjected to a wide range
of stress levels associated with either elastic or elastic and
plastic strain. Because the stress system is intended to be
essentially uniaxial (except in the case of notched specimens),
great care must be exercised in the construction of stressing
frames so that bending stresses are avoided or minimized.
7.1.2 Although a number of different stressing frames have
been used with tension specimens, three basic types are
considered herein: constant (sustained) load, constant strain
(deformation), and continuously increasing strain. A constant
load can be obtained with dead weight, but truly constant strain
loading is seldom achieved because a stressing frame with
infinite stiffness would be required. Stress-corrosion test results
G49 85 (2011)
G49 85 (2011)
8. Preparation of Specimens
G49 85 (2011)
has occurred. With specimens stressed by constant load, severe
localized or generalized corrosion can lead to mechanical
fracture by simple reduction of the cross-section area, as
illustrated in Fig. 1. While this can also happen with constantstrain loaded specimens as a result of severe localized pitting
corrosion, it is not likely to happen as a result of severe
uniform corrosion.
10.3 It must be cautioned that constant-strain loaded specimens not having fractured may contain stress-corrosion cracks.
Numerous small cracks developing in close proximity may
cause relaxation of the stress. In such cases, metallographic
examination can be used to establish whether or not there is
stress-corrosion cracking present.
9. Exposure of Specimens
9.1 The environmental testing conditions will depend upon
the intent of the test but, ideally, should be the same as those
prevailing for the intended use of the alloy or relatable to the
anticipated service conditions.
11. Report
11.1 In addition to an account of the results of each test, the
following essential information should be recorded:
11.1.1 Full description of the test material(s), including
composition and temper, type of manufactured product, section
thickness, and sampling procedure (location of test specimens),
11.1.2 Orientation, type, size, and number of test specimens,
and their surface preparation,
11.1.3 Stressing procedure,
11.1.4 Test environment and period of exposure, and
11.1.5 Criterion of specimen failure.
10. Inspection
10.1 One of the advantages of the direct-tension type of
specimen is that when stress-corrosion cracking occurs, it
generally results in complete fracture of the specimen, which is
easy to detect. However, when there is some uncertainty as to
the presence of cracks due, for example, to the presence of
corrosion products on the specimen surface, it may be
necessary, at the conclusion of the test, to chemically clean the
specimen to facilitate adequate inspection.
12. Keywords
12.1 constant load; constant strain; quantitative stress;
stress-corrosion cracking; stress-corrosion test specimen; tension specimens
10.2 It must be emphasized that fracture of the test specimen does not necessarily signify that stress-corrosion cracking
REFERENCES
(1) Romans, H. B., Stress Corrosion Test Environments and Test
Durations, Symposium on Stress Corrosion Testing, ASTM STP 425,
ASTM, 1967, pp. 182208.
(2) Craig, H. L., Jr., Sprowls, D. O., and Piper, D. E., Stress Corrosion
Cracking, Handbook on Corrosion Testing and Evaluation, W. H.
Ailor, Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1971 , pp. 231290.
(3) Denhard, E. E., Jr., and Gaugh, R. R., Application of an Accelerated
Stress Corrosion Test to Alloy Development, Symposium on Stress
Corrosion Testing, ASTM STP 425, ASTM, 1967, p. 41.
(4) Brown, B. F., Ed., Stress Corrosion Cracking in High Strength Steel
and in Titanium and Aluminum Alloys, Naval Research Laboratory,
Washington, DC (Stock No. 08510058), 1972, pp. 173.
(5) Lifka, B. W., Sprowls, D. O., and Kelsey, R. A., Investigation of
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
G49 85 (2011)
Magnesium Aluminum Alloy, Corrosion Science, Vol 5, 1965, pp.
711716; or Propagation of Stress Corrosion Cracks in Austenitic
Stainless Steel, British Corrosion Journal, Vol 1, No. 2, 1965, pp.
6771.
(10) Henthorne, M., and Parkins, R. N., British Corrosion Journal, Vol 2,
1967, pp. 186192, and Proceedings of Third International Congress
on Metallic Corrosion, Moscow, 1966, pp. 309318 (available from
NACE).
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/