Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Astm A604-93
Astm A604-93
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
A 604
between manufacturer and purchaser. quently at mid-radius which are generally carbide enriched.
6.2 For illustrative purposes some of the commonly used This condition may be easily confused with freckles in some
etching reagents are as follows: materials.
6.2.1 Hydrochloric Acid—A solution of 1 part commercial 9.1.4 Class 4: Ring Pattern—One or more concentric rings
concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl, sp gr 1.19) and 1 part evidenced by a differential in etch texture associated with
water is more generally used than any other macroetching minor composition gradients and ingot solidification.
reagent. This solution may be heated without significant 9.2 Macroetch photographs show examples of each of the
change in concentration, and may be reused if it has not conditions revealed by macroetch testing, with five degrees of
become excessively contaminated or weakened. Etching is severity, identified as A, B, C, D, and E for each condition.
generally done with the solution at a temperature of approxi- Degree A exhibits the minimum occurrence of each condition
mately 160°F. detectable by visual examination of the etched surface, while
6.2.2 Hydrochloric Acid-Sulfuric Acid Mixture—A mixture degrees B, C, D, and E represent increasing severity of
containing 50 % water, 38 % commercial concentrated HCl, occurrence.
and 12 % commercial concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO 4, sp gr 9.3 For each condition, or combination of conditions, rat-
1.84) is sometimes used in place of the previously mentioned ings shall be obtained by comparing each macroetched section
50 % HCl solution. The statements in the previous paragraph with the standard photographs. Bar or billet sections to 225 in.2
regarding reuse and temperature of etchant are applicable to cross-sectional area may be rated against these standards.
this reagent. Larger sizes may be rated by agreement between manufacturer
and purchaser, but caution must be exercised in interpretation
6.2.3 Aqua Regia—A solution consisting of 1 part concen-
of such results. Figs. 1-20 have been reduced 44% in area from
trated nitric acid (HNO3, sp gr 1.42) and 2 parts concentrated
the standard photographs.
HCl is used on corrosion and heat-resistant materials of the
9.4 If the appearance of a given condition does not exactly
18 % chromium, 8 % nickel type and higher alloy types. This
match one of the five standard photographs, it shall be assigned
reagent is used at room temperature.
the rating of the standard that it most nearly matches.
NOTE 1—The reagents in 6.2.1, 6.2.2, and 6.2.3 should be used under 9.5 No standards for acceptance are stated or implied in
ventilating hoods or with some provision to remove the corrosive fumes. these illustrations. The extent to which each condition may be
6.2.4 Nitric Acid—This etchant consists of 5 % HNO3 permissible varies with the intended application, and such
solution in alcohol or water, and is generally used at room standards should be stated in the applicable product specifica-
temperature. When this reagent is used, the etch disk must have tion, or may be the subject of negotiation between manufac-
a smooth surface. turer and purchaser.
7. Etching Containers
7.1 Macroetching must be done in containers that are
resistant to attack from the etching reagents. Caution must be
exerted to prevent the occurrence of electrolytic couples which
can cause uneven attacks and misleading results.
2
A 604
3
A 604
4
A 604
5
A 604
6
A 604
7
A 604
8
A 604
9
A 604
10
A 604
11
A 604
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
12
A 604
high-temperature applications that did not exhibit satisfactory alloys may contain discontinuities peculiar to this process
properties when melted by other methods. which are disclosed upon macroetch examination.
X1.3 Macroetch Characteristics
X1.3.1 Consumable electrode vacuum-melted steels and
13
A 604
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your
views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at
610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org).
14