ASTM E1268-01(2016)

Standard Practice for Assessing the Degree of Banding or Orientation of Microstructures

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is used to assess the nature and extent of banding or orientation of microstructures of metals and other materials where deformation and processing produce a banded or oriented condition.  
5.2 Banded or oriented microstructures can arise in single phase, two phase or multiphase metals and materials. The appearance of the orientation or banding is influenced by processing factors such as the solidification rate, the extent of segregation, the degree of hot or cold working, the nature of the deformation process used, the heat treatments, and so forth.  
5.3 Microstructural banding or orientation influence the uniformity of mechanical properties determined in various test directions with respect to the deformation direction.  
5.4 The stereological methods can be applied to measure the nature and extent of microstructural banding or orientation for any metal or material. The microindentation hardness test procedure should only be used to determine the difference in hardness in banded heat-treated metals, chiefly steels.  
5.5 Isolated segregation may also be present in an otherwise reasonably homogeneous microstructure. Stereological methods are not suitable for measuring individual features, instead use standard measurement procedures to define the feature size. The microindentation hardness method may be used for such structures.  
5.6 Results from these test methods may be used to qualify material for shipment in accordance with guidelines agreed upon between purchaser and manufacturer, for comparison of different manufacturing processes or process variations, or to provide data for structure-property-behavior studies.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure to qualitatively describe the nature of banded or oriented microstructures based on the morphological appearance of the microstructure.  
1.2 This practice describes stereological procedures for quantitative measurement of the degree of microstructural banding or orientation.  
Note 1: Although stereological measurement methods are used to assess the degree of banding or alignment, the measurements are only made on planes parallel to the deformation direction (that is, a longitudinal plane) and the three-dimensional characteristics of the banding or alignment are not evaluated.  
1.3 This practice describes a microindentation hardness test procedure for assessing the magnitude of the hardness differences present in banded heat-treated steels. For fully martensitic carbon and alloy steels (0.10–0.65 %C), in the as-quenched condition, the carbon content of the matrix and segregate may be estimated from the microindentation hardness values.  
1.4 This standard does not cover chemical analytical methods for evaluating banded structures.  
1.5 This practice deals only with the recommended test methods and nothing in it should be construed as defining or establishing limits of acceptability.  
1.6 The measured values are stated in SI units, which are regarded as standard. Equivalent inch-pound values, when listed, are in parentheses and may be approximate.  
1.7 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: 31-Dec-2015
• ICS: 07.030 - Physics. Chemistry
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.14 - Quantitative Metallography

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1268 − 01 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Assessing the Degree of Banding or Orientation of
1
Microstructures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1268; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Segregation occurs during the dendritic solidification of metals and alloys and is aligned by
subsequent deformation. Solid-state transformations may be influenced by the resulting microsegre-
gation pattern leading to development of a layered or banded microstructure. The most common
example of banding is the layered ferrite-pearlite structure of wrought low-carbon and low-carbon
alloy steels. Other examples of banding include carbide banding in hypereutectoid tool steels and
martensite banding in heat-treated alloy steels. This practice covers procedures to describe the
appearance of banded structures, procedures for characterizing the extent of banding, and a
microindentationhardnessprocedurefordeterminingthedifferenceinhardnessbetweenbandsinheat
treated specimens. The stereological methods may also be used to characterize non-banded
microstructures with second phase constituents oriented (elongated) in varying degrees in the
deformation direction.
1. Scope 1.5 This practice deals only with the recommended test
methods and nothing in it should be construed as defining or
1.1 This practice describes a procedure to qualitatively
establishing limits of acceptability.
describethenatureofbandedororientedmicrostructuresbased
on the morphological appearance of the microstructure. 1.6 The measured values are stated in SI units, which are
regarded as standard. Equivalent inch-pound values, when
1.2 This practice describes stereological procedures for
listed, are in parentheses and may be approximate.
quantitative measurement of the degree of microstructural
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
banding or orientation.
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—Although stereological measurement methods are used to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
assess the degree of banding or alignment, the measurements are only
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
madeonplanesparalleltothedeformationdirection(thatis,alongitudinal
plane) and the three-dimensional characteristics of the banding or align- bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ment are not evaluated.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This practice describes a microindentation hardness test
2
procedure for assessing the magnitude of the hardness differ-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ences present in banded heat-treated steels. For fully marten-
A370Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
sitic carbon and alloy steels (0.10–0.65%C), in the as-
of Steel Products
quenched condition, the carbon content of the matrix and
A572/A572MSpecification for High-Strength Low-Alloy
segregate may be estimated from the microindentation hard-
Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel
ness values.
A588/A588MSpecification for High-Strength Low-Alloy
Structural Steel, up to 50 ksi [345 MPa] Minimum Yield
1.4 This standard does not cover chemical analytical meth-
Point, with Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance
ods for evaluating banded structures.
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E7Terminology Relating to Metallography
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallog-
raphy and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on Quantitative
2
Metallography. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016. Published April 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1268–01(2007). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1268-01R16 the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1268 − 01 (2016)
NOTE 1—The test grid lines have been shown oriented perpendicular (A) to the deformation axis and parallel (B) to the deformation axis. The counts
for N , N , P , and P are shown for counts made from top to bottom (A) or from left to right (B).
' || ' ||
NOTE 2—T indicates a tangent hit and E indicates that the grid line ended within the particle; both situations are handled as shown.
FIG. 1 Illustration of the Counting of Particle Interceptions
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1268 − 01 (Reapproved 2007) E1268 − 01 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Assessing the Degree of Banding or Orientation of
1
Microstructures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1268; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Segregation occurs during the dendritic solidification of metals and alloys and is aligned by
subsequent deformation. Solid-state transformations may be influenced by the resulting microsegre-
gation pattern leading to development of a layered or banded microstructure. The most common
example of banding is the layered ferrite-pearlite structure of wrought low-carbon and low-carbon
alloy steels. Other examples of banding include carbide banding in hypereutectoid tool steels and
martensite banding in heat-treated alloy steels. This practice covers procedures to describe the
appearance of banded structures, procedures for characterizing the extent of banding, and a
microindentation hardness procedure for determining the difference in hardness between bands in heat
treated specimens. The stereological methods may also be used to characterize non-banded
microstructures with second phase constituents oriented (elongated) in varying degrees in the
deformation direction.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes a procedure to qualitatively describe the nature of banded or oriented microstructures based on the
morphological appearance of the microstructure.
1.2 This practice describes stereological procedures for quantitative measurement of the degree of microstructural banding or
orientation.
NOTE 1—Although stereological measurement methods are used to assess the degree of banding or alignment, the measurements are only made on
planes parallel to the deformation direction (that is, a longitudinal plane) and the three-dimensional characteristics of the banding or alignment are not
evaluated.
1.3 This practice describes a microindentation hardness test procedure for assessing the magnitude of the hardness differences
present in banded heat-treated steels. For fully martensitic carbon and alloy steels (0.10–0.65 %C), in the as-quenched condition,
the carbon content of the matrix and segregate may be estimated from the microindentation hardness values.
1.4 This standard does not cover chemical analytical methods for evaluating banded structures.
1.5 This practice deals only with the recommended test methods and nothing in it should be construed as defining or establishing
limits of acceptability.
1.6 The measured values are stated in SI units, which are regarded as standard. Equivalent inch-pound values, when listed, are
in parentheses and may be approximate.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on Quantitative Metallography.
Current edition approved May 1, 2007Jan. 1, 2016. Published May 2007 April 2016. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
E1268 – 01.E1268 – 01(2007). DOI: 10.1520/E1268-01R07.10.1520/E1268-01R16
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1268 − 01 (2016)
NOTE 1—The test grid lines have been shown oriented perpendicular (A) to the deformation axis and parallel (B) to the deformation axis. The counts
for N , N , P , and P are shown for counts made from top to bottom (A) or from left to right (B).
' || ' ||
NOTE 2—T indicates a tangent hit and E indicates that the grid line ended within the particle; both situations are handled as shown.
FIG. 1
...