Overview
ISO 13573:2012 - Corrosion of metals and alloys: Test method for thermal‑cycling exposure testing under high‑temperature corrosion conditions for metallic materials defines a standardized methodology for thermal cycling (cyclic oxidation) corrosion testing of metallic materials in gaseous environments. The standard covers series measurements on single test pieces exposed to repeated, controlled temperature cycles between ambient and elevated temperatures. Tests with ultra‑short dwell times (minutes or seconds) are explicitly outside its scope. ISO 13573:2012 can also be adapted to other materials with appropriate modifications.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test pieces: rectangular plates, discs or cylinders with a minimum surface area of ~2 300 mm² and minimum thickness of 1.5 mm; final surface finish using abrasives with mean particle diameter ≈ 15 µm; careful cleaning, drying and mass measurement (repeatability within 0.05 mg).
- Test atmosphere and gas supply: closed‑system preferred; continuous, controlled gas flow with humidity control (recommended specific humidity ~20 g/kg for air) and hygrometer monitoring; avoid condensation during cooling.
- Apparatus design: controlled transition between hot and cold environments (movable supports or furnaces), isolation of test chamber from ambient air when applicable, and capability to reproduce thermal cycles reliably.
- Temperature measurement and control: use of calibrated thermocouples (Type S or R recommended up to ~1 700 °C), thermocouple calibration per ASTM references, and defined tolerances for test-piece temperature (e.g., ±2 °C for ≤300 °C rising to ±7 °C for 800–1 000 °C; >1 200 °C by agreement).
- Measurements and evaluation: procedures for recording gross and net mass change, classification of scale (adherent, spalled, delaminated), detection of breakaway corrosion, and post‑test metallographic evaluation.
- Documentation: detailed reporting of test conditions, apparatus, gas composition/humidity, thermal cycle parameters and mass‑change analysis.
Practical applications and users
ISO 13573:2012 is used by:
- Materials engineers and corrosion specialists evaluating high‑temperature oxidation resistance of alloys (e.g., stainless steels, nickel‑based alloys).
- R&D and quality laboratories developing or qualifying materials/ coatings for gas‑turbine, power generation, petrochemical, furnace and exhaust‑system applications.
- Suppliers and purchasers specifying reproducible cyclic oxidation test methods for material selection, lifetime assessment, and failure analysis.
Keywords: ISO 13573:2012, thermal cycling, cyclic oxidation testing, high‑temperature corrosion, corrosion testing, metallic materials, thermal‑cycling exposure testing.
Related standards
Relevant normative and reference documents include ASTM E220, ASTM E230, ASTM E633, ISO 26146 and other ASTM/ISO standards on thermocouples, specimen preparation and metallography referenced within ISO 13573:2012.