ASTM G188-05(2021)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Leak Detector Solutions Intended for Use on Brasses and Other Copper Alloys
Standard Specification for Leak Detector Solutions Intended for Use on Brasses and Other Copper Alloys
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 Leak detector solutions may cause stress-corrosion cracking of different alloys. If a leak detector solution is found to cause stress-corrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186, it should not be used on brasses or other copper alloys. If a leak detector solution is found not to cause stress-corrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186, it may cause stress-corrosion cracking of copper or other alloys under unspecified conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for leak detector solutions suitable for use in checking the leakage of valves, pipes, fittings, joints, and so forth of a pressurized gas system fabricated from brasses and other copper alloys.
1.2 This specification deals with the stress-corrosion cracking aspect of leak detector solutions. The effectiveness, chemical, physical and mechanical properties of leak detector solutions are not within the scope of this specification.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Jul-2021
- Technical Committee
- G01 - Corrosion of Metals
- Drafting Committee
- G01.06 - Environmentally Assisted Cracking
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2007
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2006
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2005
- Effective Date
- 15-Jun-2005
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2004
- Effective Date
- 10-Sep-2003
- Effective Date
- 10-Jun-2003
- Effective Date
- 10-Jun-2002
Overview
ASTM G188-05(2021) is the international standard specification developed by ASTM International for leak detector solutions intended for use on brasses and other copper alloys. This standard is vital for organizations involved in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of pressurized gas systems utilizing brass, bronze, or other copper-based components. It focuses specifically on the risk of stress-corrosion cracking induced by leak detector fluids (LDFs) and establishes procedures to prevent such failures, ensuring the safe and reliable performance of gas systems.
The standard was developed in line with internationally recognized principles from the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, reinforcing its credibility and global applicability.
Key Topics
- Scope of Application: ASTM G188 specifies requirements for leak detector solutions used to identify leaks in pressurized gas systems constructed with brasses and copper alloys. The scope is limited to the stress-corrosion cracking aspect of these solutions.
- Stress-Corrosion Cracking: The main concern addressed is the potential of certain leak detector solutions to cause stress-corrosion cracking on copper-containing alloys. Solutions must be evaluated using ASTM Test Method G186.
- Quality Assurance: Manufacturers are required to develop and implement a quality assurance plan. Each batch of leak detector fluid, at a minimum, should be tested and certified to ensure it does not induce stress-corrosion cracking as per Test Method G186.
- Product Marking and Labeling: LDFs conforming to ASTM G188 must be clearly labeled, stating their compliance with the standard. If a solution fails the required test, warnings must be added to indicate it is not suitable for use on copper alloys.
- Certification: Only leak detector solutions passing the specified testing are certified for use, ensuring enhanced safety and reliability in gas system maintenance.
Applications
ASTM G188-05(2021) is primarily used in the following contexts:
- Quality Control for Leak Detector Fluids: Manufacturers use this standard to certify and market leak detector solutions that are safe for application on copper and brass-based gas system components.
- Maintenance and Inspection: Utilities, industrial gas suppliers, service technicians, and facility maintenance teams rely on compliant LDFs when checking for leaks in valves, pipes, fittings, and joints to prevent accidental stress-corrosion failures.
- Procurement and Specification Writing: Purchasing agents and system designers can reference this standard when selecting leak detection fluids, ensuring that these products will not have harmful effects on copper alloys.
- Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Organizations responsible for health, safety, and regulatory oversight incorporate this standard into their operating procedures to minimize risk and maintain compliance with international guidelines.
Related Standards
- ASTM G186 - Test Method for Determining Whether Gas-Leak-Detector Fluid Solutions Can Cause Stress Corrosion Cracking of Brass Alloys. This test method is the primary reference within ASTM G188 for evaluating LDFs.
- ASTM E300 - Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals. Provides guidelines for batch sampling and testing of LDFs as required under ASTM G188.
- ASTM G15 - Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Testing (withdrawn, but referenced for definitions in the context of this specification).
Conclusion
ASTM G188-05(2021) plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and safety of leak detector solutions used on brasses and copper alloys in pressurized gas systems. By specifying requirements aimed at preventing stress-corrosion cracking, the standard supports robust maintenance practices and reduces the risk of system failures, protecting both assets and personnel. Organizations sourcing or using leak detector solutions should verify compliance with ASTM G188 to achieve optimal safety and performance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM G188-05(2021) is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Leak Detector Solutions Intended for Use on Brasses and Other Copper Alloys". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 6.1 Leak detector solutions may cause stress-corrosion cracking of different alloys. If a leak detector solution is found to cause stress-corrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186, it should not be used on brasses or other copper alloys. If a leak detector solution is found not to cause stress-corrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186, it may cause stress-corrosion cracking of copper or other alloys under unspecified conditions. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers the requirements for leak detector solutions suitable for use in checking the leakage of valves, pipes, fittings, joints, and so forth of a pressurized gas system fabricated from brasses and other copper alloys. 1.2 This specification deals with the stress-corrosion cracking aspect of leak detector solutions. The effectiveness, chemical, physical and mechanical properties of leak detector solutions are not within the scope of this specification. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 6.1 Leak detector solutions may cause stress-corrosion cracking of different alloys. If a leak detector solution is found to cause stress-corrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186, it should not be used on brasses or other copper alloys. If a leak detector solution is found not to cause stress-corrosion cracking in accordance with Test Method G186, it may cause stress-corrosion cracking of copper or other alloys under unspecified conditions. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers the requirements for leak detector solutions suitable for use in checking the leakage of valves, pipes, fittings, joints, and so forth of a pressurized gas system fabricated from brasses and other copper alloys. 1.2 This specification deals with the stress-corrosion cracking aspect of leak detector solutions. The effectiveness, chemical, physical and mechanical properties of leak detector solutions are not within the scope of this specification. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 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.
ASTM G188-05(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 77.120.30 - Copper and copper alloys. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM G188-05(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM G186-05(2011), ASTM G15-07, ASTM G15-06, ASTM G186-05, ASTM G15-05, ASTM G15-04, ASTM G15-03a, ASTM G15-03, ASTM G15-02. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM G188-05(2021) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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: G188 −05 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Leak Detector Solutions Intended for Use on Brasses and
Other Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G188; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification is intended for purchasing agents to use in purchase orders for leak detection
fluids (LDF). The primary purpose of the specification is to assign the responsibility for passing
Specification G186 to the manufacturers of these products. Previously the only corrosion related
specification for LDFs was an obsolete Military Specification that required that the LDF not exceed
acorrosionrateof100mpyinatotalimmersiontest.Theproblemofstresscorrosioncrackingofbrass
has shown up as a major cause of failures in compressed gas service of brass components resulting
from ammonia used to adjust the pH of LDFs. This specification will give the industrial gas industry
a means to prevent these failures in the future.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for leak
detector solutions suitable for use in checking the leakage of E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
G15 Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Test-
valves, pipes, fittings, joints, and so forth of a pressurized gas
system fabricated from brasses and other copper alloys. ing (Withdrawn 2010)
G186 Test Method for Determining Whether Gas-Leak-
1.2 This specification deals with the stress-corrosion crack-
Detector Fluid Solutions Can Cause Stress Corrosion
ing aspect of leak detector solutions. The effectiveness,
Cracking of Brass Alloys
chemical, physical and mechanical properties of leak detector
solutions are not within the scope of this specification.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 Gas Leak Detector Solutions—Also known as leak
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
detection fluids, leak detector solutions, bubble solutions, and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and to
soap solutions, designated in this standard as LDFs, are fluids
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
used to detect leaks in pressurized gas systems by the forma-
use.
tion of bubbles at the leak site.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 Other Definitions—For other definitions used in this
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
specification, refer to Terminology G15.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4. Performance Requirements
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 The leak detector solution shall not show stress-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
corrosion cracking of copper alloy specimens as shown in Test
Method G186.
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Corrosion of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.06 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Environmentally Assisted Cracking. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in
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