ASTM B154-16(2022)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B154 − 16 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B154; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method describes the technique for conducting 2.1 ASTM Standards:
the mercurous nitrate test for residual stresses in wrought B846Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
copper alloy mill products. B858TestMethodforAmmoniaVaporTestforDetermining
NOTE 1—For any particular copper alloy, reference should be made to
Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Copper
the material specification.
Alloys
NOTE2—TestMethodB858maybeconsideredasapossiblealternative
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
test method which does not involve the use of mercury.
NOTE 3—This test method is considered historically reliable for
determining the potential state of residual stress in copper alloys, but not 3. Terminology
promoted for use due to the hazards relating to mercury use and
3.1 For terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer to
environmentally appropriate disposal.
Terminology B846.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
4. Summary of Test Method
standard.
4.1 The prepared test specimen is completely immersed in
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the mercurous nitrate test solution for 30 min at ambient
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
temperature. Upon removal from the solution, the test speci-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
men is wiped and immediately examined visually for cracks.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Test specimen and test supplies are discarded in accordance
mines the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
with all federal, state, and local requirements.
For specific precautionary and hazard statements see Sections
1,6,and7.(Warning—Mercuryhasbeendesignatedbymany
5. Significance and Use
regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause
serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been dem- 5.1 This test method is an accelerated test for detecting the
onstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. presence of residual (internal) stresses that might result in
Use caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing failure of individual parts in storage or in service due to stress
products,orboth.SeetheapplicableproductSafetyDataSheet corrosion cracking.
(SDS) for additional information. The potential exists that
5.2 Thistestmethodisnotintendedforuseonassembliesor
selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is
parts under applied stress. If used for that purpose, the results
prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine
shall be for information only and not a cause for rejection of
legality of sales in their location.)
the assembly, its component parts, or the original mill product.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
6. Reagents and Materials
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Analytical Reagent of the American Chemical Society where
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee B05 on Copper
and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.06 on
Methods of Test. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as B154–16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/B0154-16R22. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B154 − 16 (2022)
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, shaking until there is an excess as indicated by the pink color,
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently which persists for several minutes.
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of 6.5.4 Add iron (II) sulfate (FeSO ) crystals until the
the determination. solution,whenshaken,becomesclear.Thentitratethesolution
with 0.1 N potassium thiocyanate (KCNS) solution to the
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
appearance of a reddish brown color. Repeat this procedure
to water shall be understood to meanType IVreagent water or
with 50 mL of a standard 1% weight per volume of HgNO
better, as defined in Specification D1193.
solution.
6.3 Mercurous Nitrate Solution—The solution shall be an
6.5.5 The ratio, R, of the number of millilitres of KCNS
aqueous mercurous nitrate solution containing 10 g of mercu-
solution required to titrate the spent solution, to the number of
rousnitratesolution(HgNO )and10mLofnitricacid(HNO )
3 3
millilitres required to titrate the standard solution, determines
(sp gr 1.42) per litre of solution.
the number of millilitres, X, of 10 volume percent HgNO in 3
volume percent HNO solution required to replenish 1 L of
6.4 Preparation—The aqueous mercurous nitrate solution
spent solution. Values of R and X for a litre volume are given
shallbepreparedbyeitherofthefollowingprocedures,AorB.
in Table 1.
Used solutions may be replenished as described in 6.5.
6.4.1 Procedure A—Dissolve 11.4 g of HgNO ·2HOor
3 2
7. Hazards
10.7 g of HgNO ·H O in approximately 40 mL of distilled
3 2
water acidified with 10 mL of HNO (sp gr 1.42). After the
7.1 Warning—Mercury is a definite health hazard in use
crystals are completely dissolved, dilute the solution with
and disposal.
water to 1000 mL. (Warning—The mercurous nitrate crystals
7.2 Suggested Mercurous Nitrate Disposal:
areobtainableinboththemonohydrateanddihydrateformand
7.2.1 To mercurous nitrate solutions add sodium hydroxide
should be handled with caution because of their highly toxic
(NaOH) to pH 10 to 11.
effects.) (Warning—When weighing crystals, the weight of
7.2.2 Filter precipitated mercury and other heavy metals.
the water of crystallization should be taken into consideration.
7.2.3 Though the filtrate is low in free mercurous or
The mercurous nitrate crystals are photosensitive and when
mercuric ions, it must be further treated before disposal.
they have turned yellow are difficult to dissolve.) (Warning—
Care should be exercised when handling and mixing chemi-
cals. Qualified personnel using appropriate chemical-
TABLE 1 Replenishment of Spent Mercurous Nitrate Solution to
laboratorytechniquesshouldonlydothehandlingandmixing.)
1 % Concentration
6.4.2 Procedure B—Dissolve 76 g of mercury in 114 mLof
NOTE 1—X=111.1 (1− R)
diluted HNO (1 part water to 1 part HNO ) (sp gr 1.42).
3 3
Carefullydilutewithdistilledwaterto1000mL.Thisprovides
where:
a concentration of 100 g of HgNO after a slight loss due to
3 R = fractionofmercuryremaininginsolution(determinedbytitration),
heating. Add the water in small portions while stirring to
and
X = number of millilitres of 10 volume percent mercurous nitrate
prevent local overdilution.This gradual dilution, together with
solution to be added to 1 L of spent mercurous nit
...