ASTM A481-05(2020)

Standard Specification for Chromium Metal

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard requirements for several grades of chromium metal. Materials shall undergo chemical analysis procedures and shall adhere to specified chemical composition requirements. The metals shall also adhere to standard sizes, tolerances, and friability ratings according their grades.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers several grades of chromium metal.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2020
• ICS: 77.120.40 - Nickel, chromium and their alloys
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.18 - Castings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A481-05(2015) - Standard Specification for Chromium Metal
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10(2015) - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Alloying Materials, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10 - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM E363-09 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Chromium and Ferrochromium
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM E11-04 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM E363-83(2003)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Chromium and Ferrochromium
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003
• Refers: ASTM E11-95 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM E11-01 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10(2020) - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Alloying Materials, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E363-23 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Chromium and Ferrochromium
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020

Overview

ASTM A481-05(2020): Standard Specification for Chromium Metal provides the internationally recognized requirements for several grades of chromium metal. Established by ASTM International, this specification details the chemical composition, physical characteristics, sizing, tolerances, and analysis procedures for chromium metal. The standard supports quality assurance in both manufacturing and procurement by clearly defining properties and required tests, ensuring chromium products meet strict consistency and performance expectations.

Key Topics

• Grades: The standard covers multiple grades of chromium metal, with defined minimums for chromium content and maximums for trace elements and impurities.
• Chemical Composition: Detailed limits for elements such as carbon, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron, manganese, hydrogen, oxygen, vanadium, copper, and other trace metals. For example:
  • Grade A: Minimum 99.0% chromium, with low allowable impurities.
  • Grade B: Minimum 99.4% chromium with even lower impurity thresholds.
• Sizes and Tolerances: Chromium metal is available in various forms including plate and pellets, with standard sizes and tolerances specified according to ASTM E11 sieve designations.
• Friability Ratings: The standard incorporates a code system for friability (resistance to breakage), helping ensure suitability for different handling and processing requirements.
• Chemical Analysis Procedures: Requires chemical analysis per ASTM E363, or other validated methods with equivalent results. Referee analysis falls back to the ASTM E363 methodology in case of disputes.
• Compliance and Documentation: Each shipment must include analysis data for specified elements. Non-compliance with the referenced requirements may result in rejection.

Applications

Chromium metal plays a vital role in several industrial and manufacturing sectors due to its unique properties such as high corrosion resistance, hardness, and capacity to form alloys. Key applications governed by ASTM A481-05(2020) include:

• Metallurgy and Alloy Production: Essential for producing stainless steel, superalloys, and various industrial alloys where consistent chromium content is critical for desired mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties.
• Chemical Manufacturing: Used as a base material in the production of chromium compounds for pigments, catalysis, and plating processes.
• Electronics and Specialty Components: Pure chromium is employed in electronics, magnetics, and other high-precision fields that demand tightly controlled metallurgical properties.
• Research and Development: Academic and industrial laboratories use certified grades of chromium metal for experimental purposes where purity and trace element levels are crucial.

The standard ensures that chromium procured for these applications meets essential safety, performance, and consistency requirements, facilitating global trade and compliance with international regulations.

Related Standards

Organizations working with chromium metal materials may also reference the following ASTM standards:

• ASTM A1025/A1025M: General requirements for ferroalloys and other alloying materials.
• ASTM E11: Specification for woven wire test sieve cloth and test sieves, used for determining particle size and tolerances.
• ASTM E363: Test methods for chemical analysis of chromium and ferrochromium.

Compliance with ASTM A481-05(2020) helps manufacturers and purchasers ensure product quality, maintain regulatory adherence, and support best practices in material selection and processing. For further information or purchase of the standard, visit the ASTM International website.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:A481 −05 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Chromium Metal
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A481; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Chemical Composition
1.1 This specification covers several grades of chromium 4.1 The various grades shall conform to the requirements as
metal. to chemical composition specified in Tables 1 and 2.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 4.2 The manufacturer shall furnish an analysis of each
as the standard. shipment showing the elements specified in Table 1.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 The values shown in Table 2 are expected maximums.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Upon request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall furnish
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
an analysis for any of these elements on a cumulative basis
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
over a period mutually agreed upon between the manufacturer
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and the purchaser.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Size
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The various grades are available in sizes as listed in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Table 3.
A1025/A1025M Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Al-
5.2 The sizes listed in Table 3 are typical as shipped from
loying Materials, General Requirements
the manufacturer’s plant. These alloys exhibit varying degrees
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
of friability; therefore, some attrition may be expected in
Sieves
transit, storage, and handling. A quantitative test is not avail-
E363 Test Methods for ChemicalAnalysis of Chromium and
able for rating relative friability of ferroalloys. A code system
Ferrochromium
has been developed, therefore, for this purpose, and a number
rating each product type is shown in the last column of Table
3. General Conditions for Delivery
3. Definitions applicable to these code numbers are given in
3.1 Materials furnished to this specification shall conform to
Specification A1025/A1025M.
the requirements of Specification A1025/A1025M, including
any supplementary requirements that are indicated in the
6. Chemical Analysis
purchase order. Failure to comply with the general require-
6.1 The chemical analysis of the material shall be made in
ments of Specification A1025/A1025M constitutes nonconfor-
accordance with the procedure for the ferroalloys as described
mance with this specification. In case of conflict between the
in Test Methods E363 or alternative methods, agreed upon by
requirements of this specification and Specification A1025/
the purchaser and supplier, that will yield equivalent results.
A1025M, this specification shall prevail.
6.2 If alternative methods of analysis are used, in case of
discrepancy, Test Methods E363 shall be used for referee.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
6.3 Where no method is given in Test Methods E363 for the
A01.18 on Castings.
analysis for a particular element, the analysis shall be made in
Current edition approved March 1,
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