Materials being considered for use in, or to contain, aqueous media in high pressure steam plants or water-cooled nuclear reactor plant systems require a measure of the resistance to general corrosion under the anticipated environmental conditions. Laboratory data are usually obtained by exposing test materials to simulated environmental conditions for various lengths of time. The general methods used for test may be similar, but techniques and procedures usually vary widely. The lack of standardized test methods for high temperature water corrosion testing results in data which are not always comparable or which are of limited utility because of difference in testing techniques, method of analyses, or deficiencies in the reporting of results.

This lack of uniformity in corrosion testing prompted NACE Unit Committee T-7D on High Purity and Power Plant Water to make this standard method of test available to increase the utility and reliability of high temperature aqueous corrosion data. The standard is also intended to aid users of such data by indicating how the data were obtained and the possible limitations for application to selection of materials or environmental conditions for high temperature water systems.

The method described herein is intended primarily for the evaluation of metals used for structural components and for containment of aqueous solutions. The method does not apply to the testing of metals used for cladding fissionable materials or for neutron absorbing materials in water-cooled nuclear reactors.

1.1 This standard establishes a suggested laboratory method for determining the extent and the rate of uniform corrosion of metals in high temperature water or aqueous solutions at temperatures greater than 212 F (100 C) but less than approximately 680 F (360 C).

1.2 The data obtained are intended to provide a quantitative measure of the general corrosion resistance of metallic materials being used or being considered for use in high purity water systems.

1.3 The suggested test method is intended to standardize laboratory test procedures and to aid in evaluating the anticipated general corrosion behavior of metallic materials in aqueous systems.

1.4 The method described herein is directed principally to the evaluation of metals normally used for containment or structural components in high pressure, high temperature aqueous systems.

Historical Document 1971