This test method is designed to compare alloys and may be used as one method of screening materials prior to service. In general, this test method is more useful for stainless steels than the boiling magnesium chloride test of Practice G 36. The boiling magnesium chloride test cracks materials with the nickel levels found in relatively resistant austenitic and duplex stainless steels, thus making comparisons and evaluations for many service environments difficult.

This test method is intended to simulate cracking in water, especially cooling waters that contain chloride. It is not intended to simulate cracking that occurs at high temperatures (greater than 200°C or 390°F) with chloride or hydroxide.

Note 1—The degree of cracking resistance found in full-immersion tests may not be indicative of that for some service conditions comprising exposure to the water-line or in the vapor phase where chlorides may concentrate.

Correlation with service experience should be obtained when possible. Different chloride environments may rank materials in a different order.

In interlaboratory testing, this test method cracked annealed UNS S30400 and S31600 but not more resistant materials, such as annealed duplex stainless steels or higher nickel alloys, for example, UNS N08020 (for example 20Cb-3⁴ stainless). These more resistant materials are expected to crack when exposed to Practice G 36 as U-bends. Materials which withstand this sodium chloride test for a longer period than UNS S30400 or S31600 may be candidates for more severe service applications.

The repeatability and reproducibility data from Section 12 and Appendix X1 must be considered prior to use. Interlaboratory variation in results may be expected as occurs with many corrosion tests. Acceptance criteria are not part of this test method and if needed are to be negotiated by the user and the producer.

1.1 This test method describes a procedure for conducting stress-corrosion cracking tests in an acidified boiling sodium chloride solution. This test method is performed in 25% (by mass ) sodium chloride acidified to pH 1.5 with phosphoric acid. This test method is concerned primarily with the test solution and glassware, although a specific style of U-bend test specimen is suggested.

1.2 This test method is designed to provide better correlation with chemical process industry experience for stainless steels than the more severe boiling magnesium chloride test of Practice G36. Some stainless steels which have provided satisfactory service in many environments readily crack in Practice G36, but have not cracked during interlaboratory testing using this sodium chloride test method.

1.3 This boiling sodium chloride test method was used in an interlaboratory test program to evaluate wrought stainless steels, including duplex (ferrite-austenite) stainless and an alloy with up to about 33% nickel. It may also be employed to evaluate these types of materials in the cast or welded conditions.

1.4 This test method detects major effects of composition, heat treatment, microstructure, and stress on the susceptibility of materials to chloride stress-corrosion cracking. Small differences between samples such as heat-to-heat variations of the same grade are not likely to be detected.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.