Document No: STD-INSP-0123

Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 1 of 7

1.0 Purpose:
To establish and maintain the documented Procedure to ensure that the testing is carried out as per the
applicable specifications / standards.

2.0 Scope:
 This test method describes the procedure for conducting the boiling ferric sulfate—50 %
sulfuric acid test which measures the susceptibility of certain nickel-rich, chromium-
bearing alloys to intergranular corrosion.

 The uniform corrosion rate obtained by this test method, which is a function of minor
variations in alloy composition, may easily mask the intergranular corrosion components of
the overall corrosion rate on alloys N10276, N06022, N06059, and N06455.

3.0 Summary of Practice:

 The purpose of this test method is to detect susceptibility to intergranular corrosion as influenced by
variations in processing or composition, or both. Materials shown to be susceptible may or may not
be intergranularly corroded in other environments.

 A suitable sample of nickel-rich, chromium-bearing alloys, embedded in Ferric Sulphate –

Sulphuric acid for allocated boiling hours. After exposure in the boiling solution, the specimen is
measured by mass or calculated weight loss.

 The presence of intergranular corrosion is usually determined by comparing the calculated corrosion
rate to that for properly annealed material.

4.0 Reference Standards :

As per ASTM G28 and customer Specification
5.0 Environmental Condition:
Temperature : 23 ± 5 ̊C
Humidity : N.A

6.0 Instrument :
 A1-L glass Erlenmeyer flask with a ground 45/50 glass joint and four-bulb (minimum)
Allihn condenser with 45/50 ground glass joint are required and Hot Plate.

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 Document No: STD-INSP-0123
Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 2 of 7

 Specimen Supports—an open glass cradle capable of supporting the specimens with three –
four holes to increase circulation of the test solution around the specimen.

 Boiling Chips for prevent bumping.

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 Document No: STD-INSP-0123
Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 3 of 7
7.0 Test Specimen Preparation :
 Size of specimen Requirement:

 A specimen having a total surface area of 5 to 20 cm 2 is recommended.

 The intent is to test a specimen representing as nearly as possible the material as used in service.

 Sample with inclusion, porosity and slag is not allowed. Sample should be smooth machined,
cleaned and polished by 80, 120, 180 grit paper.

 The size of the sample submitted for test and the area from which it is to be taken (end or middle of
coil, midway surface and center, and so forth) shall be specified by the customer. The testing
apparatus dictates the final size of the specimen. The size should be such that it should provide easy
entrance and removal from the neck of the container.

 Specimens obtained by shearing should have the sheared edges machined or ground off prior to the
testing. Care should be taken while grinding to avoid overheating or burning.

 Any scale on the surface should be removed mechanically unless specific surface finish is to be
evaluated. Chemical removal is allowed in this case. Mechanical removal should be done by 120
grit iron free aluminum oxide abrasive.

 Each specimen sample should be de-greased using a cleansing solvent like acetone, ether prior to
testing.

7.1 Test Solution & Preparation :

 Prepare 600ml. of 50 % (49.4 to 50.9 %) solution as follows :

 First, measure 400ml. of Type IV reagent water in a 500ml. graduate and pour into the flask.

 Then measure 236 ml. of reagent-grade sulfuric acid (H2SO4) of a concentration which must be in
the range from 95.0 to 98.0 weight percent in a 250ml. graduate. Add the acid slowly to the water in
the flask to avoid boiling by the heat evolved. Externally cooling the flask with water during the
mixing will also reduce overheating.

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 Document No: STD-INSP-0123
Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 4 of 7
 Weigh 25 g of reagent grade ferric sulfate (contains about 75 % Fe2 (SO4)3) and add to the H2SO4
solution.

 Add boiling chips & Lubricate the ground glass of the condenser joint with silicone grease.
 Cover the flask with the condenser and circulate cooling water & Boil the solution until all ferric
sulfate is dissolved.

7.3 Testing boiling cycle :

 The boiling ferric sulfate-sulfuric acid test may be applied to the following alloys in the wrought
condition:
Sl No. Alloy Testing time, h
1 N06007 120
2 N06022 24
3 N06030 120
4 N06059 24
5 N06200 24
6 N06455 24
7 N06600 24
8 N06625 120
9 N06686 24
10 N06985 120
11 N08020 120
12 N08367 24
13 N08800 120
14 N08825 120
15 N10276 24

8.0 Test Method / procedure :

 Place the specimen in the glass cradle, remove the condenser, immerse the cradle by means of a
hook in the actively boiling solution and immediately replace the condenser. A fresh solution should
be used for each test.

 Mark the liquid level on the flask with wax crayon to provide a check on vapor loss which would
result in concentration of the acid. If there is an appreciable change in the level (a 0.5-cm or more
drop), repeat the test with fresh solution and with a fresh specimen or a reground specimen.

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 Document No: STD-INSP-0123
Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 5 of 7
 Continue immersion of the specimen for the length of time specified in above table (Section 7.3),
then remove the specimen, rinse in water and acetone, and dry.

 Weigh the specimen and subtract this mass from the original mass.

 If the corrosion rate is extraordinarily high in Method A, as evidenced by a change in color (green)
of the solution, additional ferric sulfate must be added during the test. The amount of ferric sulfate
that must be added, if the total mass loss of all specimens exceeds 2 g as indicated by an
intermediate weight, is 10 g for each 1 g of dissolved alloy. This does not apply to Method B.
 In this method, several specimens of the same alloy may be tested simultaneously. The number (3 or
4) is limited only by the number of glass cradles that can be fitted into the flask and the
consumption of ferric sulfate. Only one sample should be tested in a flask for Method B.

9.0 Calculation & Interpretation of results :

9.1 Calculation:
 Measure the effect of the acid solution on the material.

Corrosion rate = (K x W) / (A x T x D)
Where:
 K = a constant (see below table),
 T = time of exposure, h, to the nearest 0.01 h,
 A = area, cm2, to the nearest 0.01 cm2,
 W = mass loss, g, to the nearest 0.001 g, and
 D = density, g/cm3 (see below table).

Corrosion rate Density

Constant K in
Corrosion Rate Units
corrosion rate UNS Designation Density, g/cm3
Desired
equation
mils per year (mpy) 3.45 × 106 N06007 8.31
inches per year (ipy) 3.45 × 103 N06022 8.69
inches per month (ipm) 2.87 × 102 N06030 8.22
millimeters per year (mm/Y) 8.76 × 104 N06059 8.80
micrometers per year (μm/y) 8.76 × 107 N06200 8.50
pedometers per second (pm/s) 2.78 × 106 N06455 8.64
grams per square meter-hour
1.00 x 104 x DB N06600 8.41
(g/m2-h)
milligrams per square
2.40 x 106 x DB N06625 8.44
decimeter-day (mdd)
micrograms per square meter-
2.78 x 106 x DB N06686 8.73
second (μg/m 2-s)
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 Document No: STD-INSP-0123
Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 6 of 7
-- -- N06985 8.31
-- -- N08020 8.05
-- -- N08367 8.06
-- -- N08800 8.03
-- -- N08825 8.14
-- -- N10276 8.87

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 Document No: STD-INSP-0123
Issue 02
Issue Date
TEST METHOD
Revision 00
Revision Date -
IGC Practice ‘A’ (ASTM G28)
Page 7 of 7

9.2 Interpretation of results:

 The presence of intergranular corrosion is usually determined by comparing the calculated corrosion
rate to that for properly annealed material.

 As an alternative or in addition to calculating a corrosion rate from mass loss data, metallographic
examination may be used to evaluate the degree of intergranular corrosion. The depth of attack
considered acceptable shall be determined between buyer and seller.

10.0 Recording of observations:

 Record all the data in Form No.

11.0 Estimation of uncertainly:

 Reported Uncertainty of calibration certificate of weighing scale (Normal Distribution)
 Reported Uncertainty of calibration certificate of measuring scale (i.e. vernier caliper or
micrometer) (Normal Distribution)

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