Abstract: The sample pretreatment method significantly affects the accuracy and repeatability of the intergranular corrosion depth measurement results. In this paper, the pretreatment methods for the corrosion depth measurement in standard of GB/T 7998-2023 and GB/T 7998-2005(The following were abbreviated as 2023 edition and 2005 edition, respectively), and the mechanical pretreatment method were adopted respectively for design of a comparative test to explore the effects of three pretreatment methods (nitric acid passivation, dilute nitric acid descaling, and mechanical removal of oxide film) on the test results of intergranular corrosion depth and corrosion grade of aluminum alloys. The results showed that after alkaline etching, if nitric acid (with mass fraction of approximately 68%, referring to concentrated nitric acid) was used for pretreatment, the sample would undergo passivation and no intergranular corrosion occured; after alkaline etching, if 25% (mass fraction) nitric acid was used for pretreatment, the depth of intergranular corrosion of the sample was significantly increased; if the oxide film on the sample surface was directly removed by mechanical method for the intergranular corrosion test, the depth of intergranular corrosion of the sample was also relatively obvious. The results of intergranular corrosion by 2023 edition standard pretreatment method showed significant differences compared to those by 2005 edition standard. It is recommended that the standard revisers clearly define the purpose of pretreatment based on actual production inspections, so that the standard could be better applied in production inspections.