This environment provides a way of evaluating the resistance of stainless steels and related alloys to intergranular stress corrosion cracking. Failure is accelerated by the presence of increasing amounts of intergranular precipitate. Results for the polythionic acid test have not been correlated exactly with those of intergranular corrosion tests. Also, this test may not be relevant to stress corrosion cracking in chlorides or caustic environments.

The polythionic acid environment may produce areas of shallow intergranular attack in addition to the more localized and deeper cracking mode of attack. Examination of failed specimens is necessary to confirm that failure occurred by cracking rather than mechanical failure of reduced sections.

1.1 This practice describes procedures for preparing and conducting the polythionic acid test at room temperature, 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F), to determine the relative susceptibility of stainless steels or other related materials (nickel-chromium-iron alloys) to intergranular stress corrosion cracking.

1.2 This practice can be used to evaluate stainless steels or other materials in the "as received" condition or after being subjected to high-temperature service, 482 to 815°C (900 to 1500°F), for prolonged periods of time.

1.3 This practice can be applied to wrought products, castings, and weld metal of stainless steels or other related materials to be used in environments containing sulfur or sulfides. Other materials capable of being sensitized can also be tested in accordance with this test.

1.4 This practice may be used with a variety of stress corrosion test specimens, surface finishes, and methods of applying stress.

1.5 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems 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 more specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.