Batch II racks

The various participants adopted different procedures for interim inspection, in many cases invalidating their results. To avoid this in subsequent tests and to obtain more meaningful information, a test protocol was elaborated at the second RCM. 

Another set of racks manufactured by KFKI from the original batch of alloys was handed out at the second RCM. 

The procedure adopted for preparing the coupons of this batch was slightly different. The surfaces of the coupons were mechanically polished, as opposed to the plain machine finishing that had been adopted for the coupons of Batch I. The racks of Batch II (Fig. 4.4) did not contain the glass ampoules with the tiny tensile test type coupons, and the coupons in each rack of Batch II 

The 6063 coupons of this batch were passivated in water at 95°C for 24 h and were scratched to simulate the effect of surface oxide damaged during handling. Two or more racks were handed out to each of the participants. The racks were to be removed after one and two years of exposure in the storage basins. 

The Argentine experience included the exposure of six racks at various storage sites. Four of the six racks (from Batch II) included some Argentine alloy coupons and two of the racks contained only Argentine coupons. Table 4.6 gives the position of the coupons in the racks. 

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