ISO 21153-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21153:2018 — Corrosion of metals and alloys — Measurement of environmentally assisted small crack growth rate. This standard specifies a method to determine the growth rate of small surface cracks in aqueous environments (including atmospheric exposure) by measuring crack-size change as a function of exposure time, and describes methods to generate crack precursors (including accelerated single‑pit generation).

Abstract

ISO 21153:2018 provides procedures for measuring environmentally assisted small crack growth rates applicable to stress‑corrosion cracking and corrosion‑fatigue propagation. It covers crack‑generation techniques, test specimen considerations, exposure conditions (aqueous and atmospheric), and measurement/recording of crack size versus exposure time to derive crack growth rate data useful for materials evaluation and life assessment.

General information

• Status: Published / Confirmed international standard.
• Publication date: 21 November 2018.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 77.060 (Corrosion of metals).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 20 pages.

Key bibliographic details above are taken from the ISO record and national mirror listings.

Scope

ISO 21153:2018 applies to the measurement of growth rates for small surface cracks in aqueous environments (this includes exposures in atmospheres with moisture). The method is intended to support studies of stress‑corrosion cracking and corrosion‑fatigue crack propagation, and to standardize procedures for generating crack precursors (such as controlled pitting) and for monitoring crack‑size evolution with time under controlled exposure conditions. The standard is intended for use where small‑crack behaviour influences component integrity or lifetime predictions.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and measurement of small surface crack growth rate in aqueous/atmospheric environments.
• Applicability to both stress‑corrosion cracking (SCC) and corrosion‑fatigue propagation.
• Methods for generating crack precursors, including accelerated single‑pit initiation techniques.
• Specimen preparation, exposure control, and crack‑size monitoring over time to derive growth‑rate curves.
• Data recording, reporting requirements, and interpretation guidance for comparing materials and environments.

These topics and requirements follow the procedures and examples summarized in the ISO document.

Typical use and users

Users include corrosion engineers, materials scientists, failure‑analysis laboratories, research and development groups, and asset‑owner engineering teams in industries where environmentally assisted cracking is a safety or lifetime concern — notably power generation (including nuclear), oil & gas, aerospace and automotive sectors. The standard supports laboratory test programmes, materials selection, qualification testing, and comparative research into mitigation and inspection intervals.

Related standards

ISO 21153:2018 is related to other ISO documents addressing corrosion testing and fracture mechanics methods. Relevant documents include parts of the ISO 7539 series (stress‑corrosion testing and specimen preparation) and ISO 12135 (unified method for quasistatic fracture‑toughness testing); newer parts of the 7539 family (for example guidance on pre‑cracked specimen testing) also intersect with the topics of precracking and crack propagation measurement. These related standards provide complementary specimen preparation, test‑procedure and fracture‑mechanics frameworks.

Keywords

corrosion; stress corrosion cracking (SCC); corrosion fatigue; small crack growth; crack precursor; pitting initiation; crack‑growth rate; aqueous environment testing; fracture mechanics; ISO 21153.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21153:2018 is an international standard that defines methods to measure the growth rate of small surface cracks caused or accelerated by environmental conditions (aqueous and atmospheric), primarily for use in corrosion‑related testing and evaluation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test methods to generate crack precursors, exposure and environmental control (aqueous and atmospheric), measurement of crack‑size evolution with exposure time, and interpretation of small‑crack growth data for stress‑corrosion and corrosion‑fatigue contexts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Corrosion/materials engineers, test laboratories, researchers, and asset owners in sectors such as power generation (including nuclear), oil & gas, aerospace and automotive — essentially anyone needing standardized small‑crack growth data for materials assessment or life prediction.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published in November 2018, ISO 21153:2018 is the current edition (first edition). The ISO record shows the document as published/confirmed in the ISO catalogue; users should check the ISO catalogue or national standards bodies for any later amendments or confirmations beyond 2018 when strict currency is required.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 21153 is a standalone document focused on small‑crack growth rate measurement but is conceptually and practically linked to the wider set of ISO corrosion and fracture‑testing standards (for example the ISO 7539 stress‑corrosion testing series and ISO 12135 on fracture toughness). Those related standards provide specimen preparation, SCC test procedures and fracture‑mechanics context that complement ISO 21153.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: corossion; stress corrosion cracking; corrosion fatigue; small crack growth rate; crack precursor; pitting; aqueous environment testing; fracture mechanics; materials testing; ISO 21153.