Intergranular corrosion tests such as ASTM G28, Practices A and E and RCC-M MC1300 are often used
to verify the resistance of nickel alloys to intergranular corrosion. The inherent differences in wrought
products and weld metals can cause differences in test results for these two materials. A weld metal
cast structure, which is less homogenous than wrought metals, is often measured against commonly
used wrought metal acceptance criteria. These tests are difficult for welding products to pass regardless
of weld quality. Intergranular corrosion test results are reported for Ni-Cr-Fe weld metals and are
correlated with chromium content and intergranular carbide precipitation. Finally, effects of these
variables on actual service performance in environments such as nuclear power plant high-purity water
are compared with measured acceptance test corrosion rates.
KEY WORDS: Corrosion, Testing, Acceptance, Intergranular, Weld, Weld Metal, Stress Corrosion Cracking, High Purity Water, Deaeration, Sodium Hydroxide, Sensitization, Nickel Alloys, Alloy 600 (UNS N06600), Alloy 690
(UNS N06690), Filler Metal 82 (UNS N06082), Welding Electrode 182 (UNS W86182), Welding Electrode 152 (UNS W86152), Filler Metal 52 (UNS N06052), Filler Metal 52M