ASTM_G_188_-_05_2011.pdf

Designation:G18805(Reapproved 2011)Standard Specification forLeak Detector Solutions Intended for Use on Brasses andOther Copper Alloys1This standard is issued under the fixed designation G188;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis specification is intended for purchasing agents to use in purchase orders for leak detectionfluids(LDF).The primary purpose of the specification is to assign the responsibility for passingSpecification G186 to the manufacturers of these products.Previously the only corrosion relatedspecification for LDFs was an obsolete Military Specification that required that the LDF not exceeda corrosion rate of 100 mpy in a total immersion test.The problem of stress corrosion cracking of brasshas shown up as a major cause of failures in compressed gas service of brass components resultingfrom ammonia used to adjust the pH of LDFs.This specification will give the industrial gas industrya means to prevent these failures in the future.1.Scope1.1 This specification covers the requirements for leakdetector solutions suitable for use in checking the leakage ofvalves,pipes,fittings,joints,and so forth of a pressurized gassystem fabricated from brasses and other copper alloys.1.2 This specification deals with the stress corrosion crack-ing aspect of leak detector solutions.The effectiveness,chemical,physical and mechanical properties of leak detectorsolutions are not within the scope of this specification.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and to determine theapplicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial ChemicalsG15 Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Test-ing(Withdrawn 2010)3G186 Test Method for Determining Whether Gas-Leak-Detector Fluid Solutions Can Cause Stress CorrosionCracking of Brass Alloys3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 Gas Leak Detector SolutionsAlso known as leakdetection fluids,leak detector solutions,bubble solutions,andsoap solutions,designated in this standard as LDFs,are fluidsused to detect leaks in pressurized gas systems by the forma-tion of bubbles at the leak site.3.1.2 Other DefinitionsFor other definitions used in thisspecification,refer to Terminology G15.4.Performance Requirements4.1 The leak detector solution shall not show stress corro-sion cracking of copper alloy specimens as shown in TestMethod G186.4.2 Additional requirements are not part of this specificationbut may be negotiated by mutual agreement between theparties concerned.5.Sampling5.1 The manufacturer of the LDF shall be responsible fordeveloping and carrying out a plan for sampling its products inaccordance with Practice E300.6.Significance and Use6.1 Leak detector solutions may cause stress corrosioncracking of different alloys.If a leak detector solution is foundto cause stress corrosion cracking in accordance with Test1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 onCorrosion of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.06 onEnvironmentally Assisted Cracking.Current edition approved March 1,2011.Published April 2011.Originallyapproved in 2005.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as G18805.DOI:10.1520/G0188-05R11.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 Method G186,it should not be used on brasses or other copperalloys.If a leak detector solution is found not to cause stresscorrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186,itmay cause stress corrosion cracking of copper or other alloysunder unspecified conditions.7.Certification7.1 Certification of products conforming to this specifica-tion is mandatory.8.Product Marking8.1 Products conforming to this specification shall have astatement that the LDF meets the requirements of this specifi-cation on the product label.9.Quality Assurance9.1 The LDF manufacturer shall be responsible for devel-oping and implementing a quality assurance plan that willprovide assurance that its products intended for use on systemscontaining copper alloys,including brass and bronze,pass TestMethod G186.As a minimum it is suggested that,for LDFsproduced in batch processes,each batch sha