ASTM A597/A597M-14(2020)

Standard Specification for Cast Tool Steel

ABSTRACT
This specification covers tool steel compositions appropriate for usable shapes cast by pouring directly into suitable molds and for master heats for remelting and casting. Grades of the tool steel covered in this specification include air- and oil-hardening grades such as CA-2, CD-2, CD-5, CM-2, CS-5, CS-7, CH-12, CH-13, and CO-1. The steel shall be made by one or more of the following processes: electric-arc furnace or induction furnace and may be argon-oxygen decarburization refined. Each of the steel shall undergo chemical analysis and shall conform to the chemical composition specification for carbon, manganese, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, cobalt, tungsten, and nickel. Material shall be packed and marked with heat or lot number, specification number, steel type, and form to ensure safe delivery and proper identification.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers tool steel castings having chemical compositions similar to those of the standard wrought grades.  
1.2 Several grades are covered and are designated by chemical composition shown in Table 1.    
Composition, %  
Grade  
CS-7  
CH-12  
CH-13  
CD-51  
Element  
UNS  
T91907  
Carbon  
0.45–0.55  
0.30–0.40  
0.30–0.42  
0.85–1.00  
Manganese  
0.40–0.80  
0.75 max  
0.75 max  
1.00–1.30  
Silicon  
0.60–1.00  
1.50 max  
1.50 max  
1.50 max  
Sulfur  
0.03 max  
0.03 max  
0.03 max  
0.03 max  
Phosphorus  
0.03 max  
0.03 max  
0.03 max  
0.03 max  
Chromium  
3.00–3.50  
4.75–5.75  
4.75–5.75  
0.40–1.00  
Molybdenum  
1.20–1.60  
1.25–1.75  
1.25–1.75  
...  
Vanadium  
...  
0.20–0.50  
0.75–1.20  
0.30 max  
Cobalt  
...  
...  
...  
...  
Tungsten  
...  
1.00–1.70  
...  
0.40–0.60  
Nickel  
...  
...  
...  
...  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. Inch-pound units are applicable to material ordered to Specification A597 and SI units for material ordered to A597M.  
1.4 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: 77.140.80 - Iron and steel castings
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.29 - Tool Steels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A597/A597M-14 - Standard Specification for Cast Tool Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM A957/A957M-18a - Standard Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-18c - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-18b - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM A957/A957M-18 - Standard Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 15-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-18a - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 15-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-18 - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-17 - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-16 - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2016
• Refers: ASTM A957/A957M-15a - Standard Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM A957/A957M-15 - Standard Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM A957/A957M-14 - Standard Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-14b - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-14a - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM A781/A781M-14 - Standard Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014

Overview

ASTM A597/A597M-14(2020): Standard Specification for Cast Tool Steel provides requirements for tool steel compositions designed for direct casting into usable shapes and for master heats intended for remelting and subsequent casting. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures consistency, reliability, and quality for tool steel castings used in a wide range of industrial applications. The specification covers a variety of air- and oil-hardening tool steel grades, stipulating their chemical composition, allowed production processes, and necessary markings for identification.

This standard supports both inch-pound and SI units, offering flexibility for international trade and manufacturing requirements. It is recognized globally as aligning with the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for standardized practices.

Key Topics

• Scope and Grades Covered:
  The specification addresses multiple grades of cast tool steel, such as CA-2, CD-2, CD-5, CS-5, CM-2, CS-7, CH-12, CH-13, and CD-51. Each grade’s chemical composition is defined with maximum and minimum values for elements such as carbon, manganese, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, cobalt, and nickel.

• Manufacturing Processes:

  • Steel must be produced by electric-arc furnace or induction furnace methods.
  • Argon-oxygen decarburization may be used as a refining process.
  • Heat treatment is by agreement between manufacturer and purchaser.
  • Welding is restricted and allowed only upon purchaser approval.

• Chemical Composition:
  Each grade must meet prescribed chemical requirements for elements such as:

  • Carbon, manganese, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, sulfur, and phosphorus.
  • Some elements are optional and their inclusion must be specified by the purchaser.

• Order and Identification Requirements:
  Orders must detail:

  • Quantity and specification
  • Steel grade
  • Drawing or pattern number with dimensional tolerances
  • Additional required options or supplementary requirements
  • All materials are to be marked with heat or lot number, specification number, steel type, and form for proper identification.

• Units and Standards Compliance:

  • Both inch-pound (A597) and SI (A597M) units are standard, but should not be intermingled.
  • Conformance to referenced standards such as ASTM A781/A781M and A957/A957M may be required for general and investment castings.

Applications

Cast tool steel produced according to ASTM A597/A597M is widely used in demanding tooling and industrial applications where properties like hardness, toughness, and resistance to wear are critical. Typical applications include:

• Metalworking and forming dies
• Cutting tools and molds
• Master heats for secondary remelting and custom component casting
• Engineering components where precise chemical composition and reliable traceability are required

By referencing this standard, manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users can ensure their cast tool steels meet international quality benchmarks and can be confidently used in high-value equipment and tooling.

Related Standards

For comprehensive casting and tool steel projects, the following ASTM standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM A597/A597M:

• ASTM A781/A781M: Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
• ASTM A957/A957M: Specification for Investment Castings, Steel and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use

These referenced standards detail general and specific requirements for steel castings, ensuring a consistent framework for specification and testing across industries.

Keywords: ASTM A597/A597M, cast tool steel, tool steel castings, chemical composition, steel standards, industrial steel, molding, steel grades, foundry standards, manufacturing quality, international standards, ASTM.

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: A597/A597M −14 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Cast Tool Steel
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA597/A597M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* fication A781/A781M, including any supplementary require-
ments that are indicated in the purchase order. Failure to
1.1 This specification covers tool steel castings having
comply with the general requirements of Specification A781/
chemicalcompositionssimilartothoseofthestandardwrought
A781M constitutes nonconformance with this specification. In
grades.
case of conflict between the requirements of this specification
1.2 Several grades are covered and are designated by
and Specification A781/A781M, this specification shall pre-
chemical composition shown in Table 1.
vail.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.2 Investment castings furnished to this specification shall
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
conform to the requirements of Specification A957/A957M,
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
including any supplementary requirements that are indicated in
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
the purchase order. Failure to comply with the general require-
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
ments of Specification A957/A957M constitutes nonconfor-
used independently of the other, and values from the two
mance with this specification. In the case of conflict between
systemsshallnotbecombined.Inch-poundunitsareapplicable
the requirements of this specification and Specification A957/
to material ordered to Specification A597 and SI units for
A957M, Specification A957/A957M shall prevail.
material ordered to A597M.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 4. Ordering Information
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 Orders for material under this specification should
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
include the following information:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.1 Quantity,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1.2 Specification, including year date,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1.3 Grade of steel,
4.1.4 Description of the casting by pattern number or
2. Referenced Documents
drawing. Dimensional tolerances should be included on the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
drawing.
A781/A781M Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy,
4.1.5 Options in the specification, and.
Common Requirements, for General Industrial Use
4.1.6 Supplementary requirements desired, including stan-
A957/A957M Specification for Investment Castings, Steel
dards of acceptance.
and Alloy, Common Requirements, for General Industrial
Use
5. Materials and Manufacture
3. General Conditions for Delivery
5.1 Heat treatment, if any, shall be as agreed between the
3.1 Except for investment castings, material furnished to producer and the purchaser.
this specification shall conform to the requirements of Speci-
5.2 Welding shall not be performed on these grades except
by approval of the purchaser.
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. Chemical Composition
A01.29 on Tool Steels.
Current edition approved March 1, 2020. Published March 2020
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