1. Scope

1.1 This practice, known as the embrittlement-detector method, covers the apparatus and procedure for determining the embrittling or nonembrittling characteristics of the water in an operating boiler. The interpretation of the results shall be restricted to the limits set forth in Section . Note 1The embrittlement detector was designed to reproduce closely the conditions existing in an actual boiler seam. It is considered probable that the individual conditions of leakage, concentration, and stress in the boiler seam can equal those in the detector. The essential difference between the detector and the boiler is that the former is so constructed and operated that these three major factors act simultaneously, continuously, and under the most favorable circumstances to produce cracking; whereas, in the boiler the three factors are brought together only under unique circumstances. Furthermore, in the detector any cracking is produced in a small test surface that can be inspected thoroughly, while the susceptible areas in a boiler are large and can be inspected only with difficulty. In these respects the embrittlement detector provides an accelerated test of the fourth condition necessary for embrittlement, the embrittling nature of the boiler water.

Note 2

Cracks in a specimen after being subjected to this test indicate that the boiler water can cause embrittlement cracking, but not that the boiler in question necessarily has cracked or will crack.

1.2 The effectiveness of treatment to prevent cracking, as well as an indication of whether an unsafe condition exists, are shown by this practice. Such treatments are evaluated in terms of method specimen resistance to failure.

1.3 The practice may be applied to embrittlement resistance testing of steels other than boiler plate, provided that a duplicate, unexposed specimen does not crack when bent 90 on a 2-in. (51-mm) radius.

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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

A108 Specification for Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished

A515/A515M Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, for Intermediate- and Higher-Temperature Service

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens

E883 Guide for Reflected-Light Photomicrography

E1351 Practice for Production and Evaluation of Field Metallographic Replicas

Keywords

boiler water; cracking; detector; embrittlement; intercrystalline; Boiler feedwater; Corrosivity--water; Embrittlement; Pressure vessel steel forgings; USBM test; Water corrosivity ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 27.060.30 (Boilers and heat exchangers)

DOI: 10.1520/D0807-05

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.