BRITISH STANDARD BS EN ISO

7539-3:1995
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Corrosion of metals and

alloys —
Stress corrosion
testing —
Part 3: Preparation and use of U-bend
specimens

The European Standard EN ISO 7539-3:1995 has the status of a

British Standard

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright British Standards Institution

Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS EN ISO 7539-3:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Iron and Steel
Standards Policy Committee (ISM/-) and Non-ferrous Metals Standards Policy
Committee (NFM/-) to Technical Committee ISM/NFM/8, upon which the
following bodies were represented:

Aluminium Federation
British Gas plc
British Steel Industry
Department of Trade and Industry (National Physical Laboratory)
Department of Transport (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Institution of Corrosion Science and Technology
Institution of Structural Engineers
Society of Chemical Industry
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Welding Institute

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Iron and Steel
Standards Policy Committee
and the Non-ferrous Metals
Standards Policy Committee,
was published under the
authority of the Board of BSI Amendments issued since publication
and comes into effect on
31 July 1990 Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 04-2000
8712 October Indicated by a sideline in the margin
1994
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference ISM/NFM/8
Draft for comment 88/36940 DC

ISBN 0 580 18792 6

Copyright British Standards Institution

Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS EN ISO 7539-3:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
1 Scope 3
2 Normative reference 3
3 Definitions 3
4 Principle 3
5 Specimens 3
6 Procedure 5
7 Assessment of results 5
8 Test report 5
Figure 1 — Typical stressed U-bends 4
Figure 2 — Methods of stressing U-bend specimens 4
Publications referred to Inside back cover

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

© BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
i
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS EN ISO 7539-3:1995

National foreword

This Part of BS EN ISO 7539 has been prepared under the direction of the
Engineering Sector Board. It is identical with ISO 7539-3:1989 Corrosion of
metals and alloys — Stress corrosion testing — Part 3: Preparation and use of
U-bend specimens, published by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO).
BS EN ISO 7539 comprises the following parts:
— Part 1: General guidance on testing procedures;
— Part 2: Preparation and use of bent-beam specimens;
— Part 3: Preparation and use of U-bend specimens;
— Part 4: Preparation and use of uniaxially loaded tension specimens;
— Part 5: Preparation and use of C-ring specimens;
— Part 6: Preparation and use of pre-cracked specimens;
— Part 7: Slow strain rate testing.
Cross-references
International Standard Corresponding British Standard
ISO 7539-1:1987 BS EN ISO 7539 Corrosion of metals and alloys —
Stress corrosion testing
Part 1:1995 Guide to testing procedures
(Identical)
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN ISO title page, pages 2 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 7539-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 1995
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 77.060

Descriptors: Metals, alloys, tests, corrosion tests, stress corrosion tests

English version

Corrosion of metals and alloys — Stress corrosion testing —

Part 3: Preparation and use of U-bend specimens
(ISO 7539-3:1989)

Corrosion des métaux et alliages — Essais de Korrosion de Metalle und Legierungen —

corrosion sous contrainte — Prüfung der Spannungsrißkorrosion —
Partie 3: Préparation et utilisation des Teil 3: Vorbereitung und Anwendung von
éprouvettes cintrées en U Bügelproben
(ISO 7539-3:1989) (ISO 7539-3:1989)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1995-04-08. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1995 All rights of reproduction and communication in any form and by any means reserved in all
countries to CEN and its members.
Ref No. EN ISO 7539-3:1995 E
Copyright British Standards Institution
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 EN ISO 7539-3:1995

Foreword
This European Standard has been taken over by the
Technical Committee CEN/TC 262, Protection of
metallic materials against corrosion, from the work
of ISO/TC 156, Corrosion of metals and alloys, of the
International Organization for
Standardization (ISO).
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
November 1995, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 1995.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations, the following countries are bound to
implement this European Standard: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

2 © BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale

WARNING — U-bend specimens made from
high strength materials may fracture rapidly;
pieces may fly off at high velocity and can be
dangerous. Personnel installing and
examining specimens must be made aware of
this possibility and be protected against
injury.
1 Scope
1.1 This part of ISO 7539 covers procedures for
designing, preparing and using U-bend test
specimens for investigating the susceptibility of a
metal to stress corrosion.
The term “metal” as used in this part of ISO 7539
includes alloys.
1.2 U-bend specimens may be used to test a variety
of product forms. They are used principally for
sheet, plate or flat extruded material, which
conveniently provides flat specimens of rectangular
cross-section, but may also be employed for wire or
rod, or for machined specimens of circular
cross-section. They can also be used for parts joined
by welding.
1.3 The U-bend test is frequently used to establish
whether a metal is susceptible to stress corrosion
cracking in a given environment. It is used in
laboratories to screen materials for susceptibility for
specific applications and in service environments to
assess the risk of failure.
1.4 The principal advantages of the test are its
simplicity and its consequent adaptability for use in
plant. A disadvantage is that stresses cannot be
quantified with accuracy and if this is desired an
alternative method of stressing should be used.
2 Normative reference
The following standard contains provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions
of this part of ISO 7539. At the time of publication,
the edition indicated was valid. All standards are
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based
on this part of ISO 7539 are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent edition of the standard indicated below.
Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of
currently valid International Standards.
ISO 7539-1:1987, Corrosion of metal and alloys —
Stress corrosion testing — Part 1: General guidance
on testing procedures.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this part of ISO 7539, the
definitions given in ISO 7539-1 are applicable.
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
© BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
EN ISO 7539-3:1995
4 Principle
4.1 The test consists in exposing to the corroding
medium a piece of metal bent into a U-shape and
held in a manner which ensures that there are
initial tensile stresses ranging up to the yield point
over a proportion of the surface. In the act of forming
specimens, varying amounts of cold work may be
introduced and this deformation may influence the
stress corrosion cracking tendency as compared to
that of the material in the original condition.
4.2 The test may be performed under laboratory
conditions by exposing the specimens to simulated
service conditions or it may be carried out in the
actual service environment at the location of
interest.
4.3 The objective of the test is either to establish
whether a metal is suitable for a proposed
application or to assess the risk of stress corrosion
cracking of metals used in existing plant under
service conditions.
4.4 Wide variations in test results may be obtained
for a given metal and environment even when
testing nominally identical specimens and the
replication of tests is frequently necessary. If
specimens are prepared to different sizes or
orientations or are subjected to different stressing
procedures, test results may be even more variable.
5 Specimens
5.1 A variety of specimen shapes and sizes can be
employed and Figure 1 shows examples of
specimens often used. Figure 2 indicates some
methods of forming the specimens. To simulate
crevice conditions, it is possible to form a second
specimen over the first, thereby creating a crevice
between the two, and to test the composite
specimen [see Figure 1 d)].
5.2 When stressing specimens by fastening after
forming, care should be taken to ensure that the
deflection is restored to that obtained at the end of
the forming operation.
5.3 Specimens for use in service conditions should
be securely fixed to avoid movement through the
system and should be accessible for inspection or
removal. Their design and method of fixing should
be considered as a whole.
5.4 If more than one metal is present in a system,
specimens should be electrically insulated to avoid
galvanic effects.
5.5 Specimens should be fabricated from
representative material with due regard to such
factors as rolling direction and heat treatment.
If relevant, welded specimens should be tested, and
the configuration in service should be borne in mind
when preparing the specimens.
3
 EN ISO 7539-3:1995

Figure 1 — Typical stressed U-bends

Figure 2 — Methods of stressing U-bend specimens

5.6 For laboratory testing a fine surface finish is
frequently used since it allows early detection of
cracks, but for in-service testing a surface finish
representative of the plant should be employed. For
further comments relating to surface condition,
ISO 7539-1 should be consulted.
5.7 Specimens should be degreased prior to testing
and should be handled with care thereafter.
5.8 Specimens should be examined, after forming,
for cracks that may have developed before exposure
to the test environment. It may also be desirable to
prepare additional specimens for use as controls for
later comparison (see 7.4).
5.9 Where it is necessary to mark the specimen for
purposes of identification, the methods given in
ISO 7539-1 should be followed.

4 © BSI 04-2000
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright British Standards Institution

Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale

6 Procedure
6.1 The aim should be to test under all likely service
conditions and over a period which includes
start-up, shut-down and other changes in conditions
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
as well as the normal design conditions.
6.2 Interfaces between fluid phases represent likely
areas for stress corrosion cracking as do locations
where temperature gradients exist, where
condensate may form or where local boiling may
occur.
Locations where gradients may occur in the
chemical composition of the fluid, especially in the
concentration of oxidizing or reducing agents, also
represent hazard areas. These factors should be
taken into account when planning the location of
specimens.
6.3 Location of specimens to permit safe
examination and removal can be a major problem,
especially with equipment under pressure, and may
make it impossible to test all locations.
7 Assessment of results
7.1 Before specimens are examined it is necessary to
check that relaxation of tension has not invalidated
the test, for example by failure of the fastening.
7.2 Examination of specimens is generally by eye or
low-power microscopy. In laboratory tests replicate
specimens are frequently used to facilitate
periodical examination and to determine exposure
time when cracks are first observed. For in-service
tests, the use of replicate specimens and regular
examination is often impractical. In such cases, the
specimens should be examined after an arbitrary
exposure time sufficiently long to cover all
anticipated variations in service conditions. A test
period of 5 weeks to 10 weeks is often considered
appropriate for process plant.
Copyright British Standards Institution
© BSI 04-2000
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
EN ISO 7539-3:1995
7.3 To open small cracks further stressing may be
used. Metallographic sections through the specimen
should be prepared to detect minor cracks.
7.4 Since some cracks may have origins other than
stress corrosion it is necessary, if cracks are
detected, to examine similarly stressed specimens
that have not been exposed to the corroding
environment for comparison.
7.5 The test should be regarded as basically a “go/no
go” test and minor differences in behaviour,
e.g. in time to first crack, or in size of crack, should
not be considered significant.
7.6 Any cracking observed, unless positively proved
to have occurred for some reason other than stress
corrosion, should be considered as indicative of
failure.
7.7 Lack of cracking in service tests, after a specified
period of exposure, should be regarded as indicative
of behaviour in practice only so long as the
conditions of service are not appreciably altered
from those existing during the test.
8 Test report
The test report should include the following
information:
a) full description of the test material, including
composition and structural conditions, type of
product and section thickness from which
specimens were taken;
b) orientation, type and size of test specimens and
their surface preparation;
c) test environment, including location of
specimens for in-service tests;
d) the times at which observations were made
and when cracks became visible.
5
 --`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

6
Copyright British Standards Institution
blank
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS EN ISO 7539-3:1995

Publications referred to

See national foreword.

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

© BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS EN ISO
7539-3:1995
BSI — British Standards Institution
BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Revisions

British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.

It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.

BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.

Buying standards

Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the

BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,
unless otherwise requested.

Information on standards

BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.

Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

Copyright

Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written
permission from BSI.

This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.

If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
BSI Tel: 020 8996 7070.
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright British Standards Institution

Reproduced by IHS under license with BSI - Uncontrolled Copy
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale