PETROMASTER No.

: PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

OPERATING PROCEDURE
INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST PRACTICE
“A”AS PER ASTM A-262-02a Ra 2008

PETROMASTER
QA / QC Dept.

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 PETROMASTER No. : PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

Approval History
Rev. Date Pages Prepared By Reviewed By Approved By

0 Sep 01, 2016 First Issue Lab Engineer Team Lead Division Manager

01 Dec 10. 2017 Second Issue Lab Engineer Team Lead Division Manager

PETROMASTER
QA / QC Dept.

CONTROLLED
COPY No:_______________

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 PETROMASTER No. : PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

Contents

1.0 PURPOSE:.........................................................................................................................................4
2.0 SCOPE:.............................................................................................................................................4
3.0 RANGE:............................................................................................................................................4
4.0 INSTRUMENT:..................................................................................................................................4
5.0 ETCHING SOLUTION:........................................................................................................................4
6.0 SENSITIZATION:................................................................................................................................4
8.0 REFERENCE:.....................................................................................................................................4
9.0 PROCEDURE:....................................................................................................................................4
10.0 CLASSIFICATION OF ETCH STRUCTURE............................................................................................5
11.0 REPORT............................................................................................................................................7
12.0 RECORDS..........................................................................................................................................7

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This document is the property of PETROMASTER and must not be copied, loaned or information it contains be disclosed to a third
party without the written consent of PETROMASTER.
 PETROMASTER No. : PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

1.0 PURPOSE: Procedure for selection of etchant for etching metallographic samples of
metal.

2.0 SCOPE: Susceptibility to intergranular attack associated with the precipitation of

chromium carbides is readily detected by this test. Practice A—Oxalic Acid Etch Test
for Classification of Etch Structures of Austenitic Stainless Steels. The oxalic acid etch
test is used for acceptance of material but not for rejection of material.

3.0 RANGE: NA

4.0 INSTRUMENT: Microscope of Magnification upto 1000x, Polishing Machine, Etching

Apparatus Furnace for Sensitization.

5.0 ETCHING SOLUTION:

The solution used for etching is prepared by adding 100 g of reagent grade oxalic
acid crystals (H2C2O4•2H2O) to 900 mL of distilled water and stirring until all
crystals are dissolved.

6.0 SENSITIZATION:
Extra-low–carbon grades, and stabilized grades, such as 304L, 316L, 317L, 321,
and 347, are tested after sensitizing heat treatments at 675°C (1250°F), which is
the range of maximum carbide precipitation. These sensitizing treatments must
be applied before the specimens are submitted to the oxalic acid etch test. The
most commonly used sensitizing treatment is 1 h at 675°C (1250°F).

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party without the written consent of PETROMASTER.
 PETROMASTER No. : PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

7.0 TEST SPECIMEN:

The size of test specimen is 1” x 1”. Whenever practical, a polished area of 1
cm2 or more is desirable.
8.0 REFERENCE:

9.0 PROCEDURE:

A) Sensitize the specimen to 675oC for one hour if the material is low grade
Carbon, i.e, 304L, 316L or stabilized grades 321, and 347.

B) Polish the specimen up to 1000 grit and in diamond polishing machine for
mirror finish.

C) Etch the polished specimen at 1 A/cm2 for 1.5 min to obtain the correct current
density.

D) Dry the dull surface of the specimen and observe under Metallurgical
microscope.

E) The etched cross-sectional areas should be thoroughly examined by complete

traverse from inside to outside diameters of rods and tubes, from face to face on
plates, and across all zones such as weld metal, weld-affected zones, and base
plates on specimens containing welds.

10.0 CLASSIFICATION OF ETCH STRUCTURE :

a) Step Structure —Steps only between grains, no ditches at grain boundaries.

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 PETROMASTER No. : PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

b) l Structure: Some ditches at grain boundaries in addition to steps, but no single

grain completely surrounded by ditches.

c) Ditch Structure: One or more grains completely surrounded by ditches.

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 PETROMASTER No. : PM/MET/WI/013

OPERATING PROCEDURE Issue : 02

(WORK INSTRUCTION)
Date : 10/12/2017

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION TEST Rev. : 02

PRACTICE

11.0 REPORT:
Sensitization, Etching Solution, Magnification, Type of Microstructure,Remark in
AMCO/MEC/FR/004

12.0 RECORDS

Record Number Name of the Record Retention Period

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