scope:

ABSTRACT:

Many laboratory tests designed to assist in engineering decisions regarding materials selection have not received the desired user acceptance. Possible explanations for this situation are discussed with examples taken from test methods for evaluating stress corrosion cracking of alloys and crevice corrosion susceptibility of stainless steels in chloride systems. Suggested means of improving tests include: (I) improved definition of the limits of the corrosion system for which the test is designed, (2) use of the rank ordering concept in evaluating materials, (3) selecting rank ordering factors that are mechanistically sound and that have engineering significance, (4) correlating laboratory data with field experience to establish acceptable/unacceptable criteria for alloys for specific environments, and (5) standardizing test details so that comparable results can be obtained by different laboratories.