ASTM E1077-01

Standard Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for estimating the depth of decarburization of steels irrespective of the composition, matrix microstructure, or section shape. The following basic procedures may be used:  
1.1.1 Screening methods.  
1.1.2 Microscopical methods.  
1.1.3 Microindentation hardness methods.  
1.1.4 Chemical analysis methods.  
1.2 In case of a dispute, the rigorous quantitative or lineal analysis method (see 7.3.5 and 7.3.6) shall be the referee method. These methods can be employed with any cross-sectional shape. The chemical analytical methods generally reveal a greater depth of decarburization than the microscopical methods but are limited to certain simple shapes and by availability of equipment. These techniques are generally reserved for research studies. The microindentation hardness method is suitable for accurate measurements of hardened structures with relatively homogeneous microstructures.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound equivalents are in parentheses and may be approximate.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2001
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.14 - Quantitative Metallography

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1077-91(1997) - Standard Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM E1077-01e1 - Standard Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A534-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Carburizing Steels for Anti-Friction Bearings
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A756-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Stainless Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A228/A228M-18 - Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Music Spring Quality
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B874-96(2018) - Standard Specification for Chromium Diffusion Coating Applied by Pack Cementation Process
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E3-11(2017) - Standard Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A485-17(2022) - Standard Specification for High Hardenability Antifriction Bearing Steel
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A295/A295M-14(2020) - Standard Specification for High-Carbon Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A866-18 - Standard Specification for Medium Carbon Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F2282-18 - Standard Specification for Quality Assurance Requirements for Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire, Rods, and Bars for Mechanical Fasteners
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B848/B848M-21 - Standard Specification for Powder Forged (PF) Ferrous Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1077 – 01
Standard Test Methods for
Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel
1
Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1077; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
These test methods may be used to estimate the average or greatest depth of decarburization in
hardened or non-hardened steel products. The test methods described range from simple screening
tests to more statistically rigorous test methods depending upon the needs of the investigation.
2
1. Scope A 919 Terminology Relating to Heat Treatment of Metals
3
E 3 Practice for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for estimating the
3
E 7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
depth of decarburization of steels irrespective of the composi-
E 340 Test Method for MicroIndention Hardness Metals
tion, matrix microstructure, or section shape. The following
3
and Alloys
basic procedures may be used:
E 350 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel,
1.1.1 Screening methods.
Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and
1.1.2 Microscopical methods.
4
Wrought Iron
1.1.3 Microindentation hardness methods.
E 384 Test Method for Microindention Hardness of Mate-
1.1.4 Chemical analysis methods.
3
rials
1.2 In case of a dispute, the rigorous quantitative or lineal
3
E 407 Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
analysis method (see 7.3.5 and 7.3.6) shall be the referee
E 415 Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectro-
method. These methods can be employed with any cross-
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metric Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel
sectional shape. The chemical analytical methods generally
E 1951 Guide for Calibrating Reticals and Light Micro-
reveal a greater depth of decarburization than the microscopi-
3
scope Magnifications
cal methods but are limited to certain simple shapes and by
availability of equipment. These techniques are generally
3. Terminology
reserved for research studies. The microindentation hardness
3.1 Definitions:
method is suitable for accurate measurements of hardened
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods, see
structures with relatively homogeneous microstructures.
Terminology E 7 and Definitions E 44.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard. The inch-pound equivalents are in parentheses and
3.2.1 average depth of decarburization—the mean value of
may be approximate.
five or more measurements of the total depth of decarburiza-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tion.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 average free-ferrite depth—the mean value of five or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
more measurements of the depth of complete decarburization.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.3 complete decarburization—loss of carbon content at
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the surface of a steel specimen to a level below the solubility
2. Referenced Documents limit of carbon in ferrite so that only ferrite is present.
3.2.4 free-ferrite depth—the perpendicular distance from
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the surface of the specimen to that location where the structure
is no longer fully ferritic, that is, other transformation products
are observed.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on
Metallography and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on
2
Quantitative Metallography. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02.
3
Current edition approved March 10, 2001. Published May 2001. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
4
published as E 1077 – 85. Last previous edition E 1077 – 91 (1997). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E 1077
NOTE 1—The term free ferrite has also been used to describe globular,
6.2 Specimens for screening tests using bulk hardness tests,
isolated grains of proeutectoid ferrite in the microstructure of medium-
such as the Rockwell test, should be small enough so that they
carbon hypoeutectoid steels.
can be properly supported on the anvil of the tester. The
3.2.5 maximum depth of decarburization—the largest mea- specimen surface should not be altered except for
...