A262 Practice for Welds 2

[goodbadgood]

Hi guys,

I have a confusion with the timing of the electrolytic etching on Austenitic Stainless steels welds. On parent Austenitic steels 1 min is mentioned in ASTM A262 for 1cm2 area if the sample and it gives us good etching results but when we give 1 min time for etching to welded samples then welded area becomes over etched and gives wrong indication of sensitization. If we give less than 1 min to welded sample better results we got better results but in this case we are voilaiting the clause of A262 Practice A.

Any of you guys have faced this issue?

 

[EdStainless]

The etch time is not a firm requirement, a good etch is.
Adjust accordingly.
Depending on the age of your solution and sample size you may only need 10-15 sec.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[metengr]

If you review A 262 Practice A, the wording is should and not shall, see below
Etching Conditions—The polished specimen should be
etched at 1 A/cm2 for 1.5 min.

In most codes and standards, should – indicates a preferred but not mandatory requirement.

 

[goodbadgood]

Hi thanks for your clarifications. Just wanted to be sure in case some client asked this question.