1.1 This standard covers the testing of metals subjected to tensile stresses for resistance to cracking failure in acidified aqueous environments containing H2S. Carbon and low-alloy steels are commonly tested for EC (environmental cracking) resistance at room temperature where SSC (sulfide stress cracking) susceptibility is typically high. For other types of alloys the correlation of EC susceptibility with temperature is more complicated.
1.2 This standard describes the reagents, test specimens, and equipment to use, discusses base material and test specimen properties, and specifies the test procedures to follow. This standard describes four test methods:
Method A: tensile test;
Method B: bent-beam test;
Method C: C-ring test;
Method D: double cantilever beam (DCB) test.
Chapters 1 through 8 of this standard give general comments that apply to all four test methods. Chapters 9 through 12 indicate the test method to follow for each type of test specimen. General guidelines to help to determine the aptness of each test method are given at the beginning of each test method description (Chapters 9 through 11). Reporting of the test results is also discussed.
1.3 Metals can be tested for resistance to EC at temperatures and pressures that are either ambient (atmospheric) or elevated.
1.3.1 For testing at ambient conditions, the test procedures can be summarized as follows: stressed test specimens are immersed in acidified aqueous environments containing H2S. Applied loads at convenient increments can be used to obtain EC data.
1.3.2 For testing at temperatures higher than 27℃, at either atmospheric or elevated pressure, Chapter 8 describes an alternative test technique. All methods (A, B, C, and D) are adaptable to this technique.
1.4 Warning for safety: H2S is a kind of highly toxic gas which must be treated with care (see Appendix A).
