A laboratory test to determine the corrosion-resisting qualities of welded stainless steel. This test is carried out by subjecting welding samples to the action of boiling 65% nitric acid for five 48-hour periods. After each test the specimen is washed in water but is not polished or scraped. It is then dried, weighed and immersed in fresh acid. Four observations are made for each period: weight loss, overall penetration, appearance of weld and base metal, and the relative attack on the heat-affected zone.

The specimens are exposed to the boiling acid in a glass apparatus with condensers to prevent loss of acid by evaporation. The test is used to determine metal quality and also to show intergranular sensitivity caused by large weight losses.

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