A105/A105M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for
Piping Applications
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
C665 Specification for Mineral-Fiber Blanket Thermal Insu-
lation for Light Frame Construction and Manufactured
Housing
C692 Test Method for Evaluating the Influence of Thermal
Insulations on External Stress Corrosion Cracking Ten-
dency of Austenitic Stainless Steel
C739 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
Insulation
C795 Specification for Thermal Insulation for Use in Con-
tact with Austenitic Stainless Steel
C871 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Thermal Insu-
lation Materials for Leachable Chloride, Fluoride, Silicate,
and Sodium Ions
C1696 Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and
Related Coating Products
G1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corro-
sion Test Specimens
G16 Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion
Data
G31 Guide for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing of
Metals
G46 Guide for Examination and Evaluation of Pitting Cor-
rosion
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: Refer to Terminology C168 for definitions
relating to insulation.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The test method uses controlled amounts of test solu-
tions delivered drip wise onto a defined area of small flat
coupons of carbon steel for the purpose of producing,
comparing, and measuring the corrosion that occurs on the
carbon steel due to the exposure.
4.2 The test is conducted at elevated temperatures, greatly
accelerating the corrosion in comparison with corrosion at
room temperature. The heat makes the solution evaporate
quickly, allowing an air (oxygen) interface and making thou-
sands of wet-dry-wet cycles possible in a short time.
4.3 Quantitative measurements of corrosion are determined
from the weight change (loss) due to the corrosion of the tested
coupons. Reference tests prepared with known concentrations
of solutions that are conducive to the corrosion of the tested
metal are compared with water solutions containing ions
extracted from insulation samples. Calculations of MLCR in
mils-per-year (MPY) made using the methods of Practice G1
are recorded as the quantitative measurement. The measure-
ments are used to determine compliance with the applicable
ASTM material specifications on a pass/fail basis when com-
pared to the corrosion reference solutions that were tested at
the same time as the insulation extraction solutions. No other
comparisons shall be made.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Results from this accelerated corrosion test shall not be
considered as an indicator of the useful life of the metal
equipment. Many factors need consideration for applicability
to specific circumstances. Refer to Guide C1696 and Practice
G31 for additional information.
5.2 Corrosion associated with insulation is an important
concern for insulation manufacturers, specification writers,
designers, contractors, users and operators of the equipment.
Some material specifications contain test methods (or reference
test methods contained in other material specifications), for use
in evaluating the insulation with regard to the corrosion of
steel, copper, and aluminum. In some cases these tests are not
applicable or effective and have not been evaluated for preci-
sion and bias.
5.3 A properly selected, installed, and maintained insulation
system will reduce the corrosion that often occurs on an
un-insulated structure. However, when the protective weather-
resistant covering of an insulation system fails, the conditions
for the aqueous environment necessary for corrosion under
insulation (CUI) often develop. It is possible the insulation
contains, collects, or concentrates corrosive agents, or a com-
bination thereof, often found in industrial and coastal environ-
ments. If water is not present, these electrolytes cannot migrate
to the metal surface. The electrochemical reaction resulting in
the aqueous corrosion of metal surfaces cannot take place in
the absence of water and electrolytes. Additional environmen-
tal factors contributing to increased corrosion rates are oxygen,
and elevated-temperature (near boiling point).
5.4 Chlorides and other corrosive ions are common to many
environments. The primary corrosion preventative is to protect
insulation and metal from contamination and moisture. Insu-
lation covers, jackets, and metal coating of various kinds are
often used to prevent water infiltration and contact with the
metal.
5.5 This procedure can be used to evaluate all types of
thermal insulation and fireproofing materials (industrial,
commercial, residential, cryogenic, fire-resistive, insulating
cement) manufactured using inorganic or organic materials,
faced or unfaced, for which a filtered extraction solution can be
obtained.
5.6 This procedure can also be applicable to insulation
accessories including jacketing, covers, adhesives, cements,
and binders associated with insulation and insulation products.
5.7 Heat treatment of the insulation (as recommended by the
manufacturer up to the maximum potential exposure tempera-
ture) can be used to simulate possible conditions of use.
5.8 Adhesives can be tested by first drying followed by
water extraction or by applying a known quantity of the test
adhesive to a test piece of insulation and then extracting.
5.9 Insulating cements can be tested by casting a slab,
drying, and extracting or by using the uncured insulating
cement powder for extraction.
C1617 − 24
2