ASTM B826-09

Corrosivity monitoring of test environments provides a means to monitor an integrated value of test corrosivity which cannot be evaluated from test parameters themselves, such as temperature, humidity, and gas concentration. As such the monitor value can be used for specification purposes such as test validation. Electrical resistance monitoring of conductors exposed to corrosive media is a well-established practice. ^{, , ,}

The resistance method assumes uniform corrosion over the entire surface of the exposed metal conductor segment. Local corrosion such as pitting, crevice, or grain boundary corrosion may provide invalid estimates of test corrosivity. Marked changes in slope of the curve of electrical resistance ratio versus time may indicate undesired processes which can be due to deficiencies in the test atmosphere or in the monitor itself.

Because of limitations of the diffusion process within the corrosion product formed on the metal conductor segment of the RM probe when passivating corrosion films are formed, resistance monitoring may not be useful for test chamber monitoring purposes for very long test exposures. Chamber monitoring is dependent on detecting changes in the rate of corrosion of the RM as an indicator signal that specified gas concentrations must be reverified. However, low corrosion rates limit the absolute value of the rate of change of corrosion rate with change of test conditions; for parabolic film growth processes, the growth rate decreases with time limiting the sensitivity of the RM at extended test times.

Since corrosion rate can be a complex function of test parameters in MFG tests with any given metal primarily responsive to a subset of the gases in the MFG environment, more than one type metal resistance probe is required in order to assist in maintenance of relative gas concentrations. For such test specifications, values of resistance ratios must be referred to ratios obtained under known test conditions as supplied by the test specifier. Information relating to the sensitivity of various metals to various corrodants has been published. ^,

RM probes can be useful from 1 % of thickness consumed upward to 50 % of thickness consumed by the corrosion film growth. Conductor thicknesses between 25 nm and 0.2 mm have been reported and common sizes are available commercially.

1.1 This test method provides a means for monitoring corrosivity of environmental tests that involve exposure to corrosive gases.

1.2 This test method uses a resistance monitor (RM) probe fabricated from a chosen metal conductor, with one conductor segment uncovered to permit exposure of the chosen metal conductor to the corrosive gas mixture and the second conductor segment covered to protect the metal conductor of this segment from direct attack by the corrosive gas mixture. The covered conductor segment provides a reference for evaluating changes in the uncovered segment. The ratio of the resistance of the exposed segment to that of the covered segment provides a measure of the amount of metal conductor that has reacted with the corrosive gas test environment to form poorly conducting corrosion product, thus providing a measure of test corrosivity.

1.3 Resistance monitoring is applicable to a broad range of test conditions by selection of the appropriate metal conductor and initial metal thickness.

1.4 This method is similar in intent to Test Methods B808.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.