ASTM A581/A581M-22a

Standard Specification for Free-Machining Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard for cold-finished wire and hot-finished free-machining stainless steel wire and wire rods in coils. Chemical analysis shall be performed on the steel and shall conform to the chemical composition requirements in carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, nickel and other trace elements. The stainless steel shall undergo mechanical testing and conform to the tensile strength requirement.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers free-machining stainless steels of cold-finished wire and hot-finished wire rods in coils. Wire rods are a semi-finished product primarily for the manufacture of wire. Wire includes rounds, squares, hexagons, and special shapes in free-machining stainless steels designed especially for optimum machinability and for general corrosion and high-temperature service.  
1.2 The following alloys are covered:  
1.2.1 Austenitic alloys: UNS numbers S20300, S30300, S30310, S30323, and S30345;  
1.2.2 Martensitic alloys: UNS numbers S41600, S41610, and S41623; and  
1.2.3 Ferritic alloys: UNS numbers S18200, S18235, S41603, S43020, and S43023.
Note 1: For wire other than for free-machining applications, see Specification A580/A580M.
Note 2: For Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars, see Specification A582/A582M.  
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI (metric) units are to be regarded separately as standard; within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in [brackets]. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.  
1.4 Unless the order specifies the applicable “M” specification designation, the material shall be furnished to the inch-pound units.  
1.5 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: 31-Oct-2022
• ICS: 77.140.65 - Steel wire, wire ropes and link chains
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.17 - Flat-Rolled and Wrought Stainless Steel

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:A581/A581M −22a
Standard Specification for
1
Free-Machining Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA581/A581M; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2,3
1.1 This specification covers free-machining stainless steels
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of cold-finished wire and hot-finished wire rods in coils. Wire
A555/A555M Specification for General Requirements for
rods are a semi-finished product primarily for the manufacture
Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
of wire. Wire includes rounds, squares, hexagons, and special
A580/A580M Specification for Stainless Steel Wire
shapes in free-machining stainless steels designed especially
A582/A582M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless
for optimum machinability and for general corrosion and
Steel Bars
high-temperature service.
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of
Steel Products
1.2 The following alloys are covered:
A941 TerminologyRelatingtoSteel,StainlessSteel,Related
1.2.1 Austenitic alloys: UNS numbers S20300, S30300,
Alloys, and Ferroalloys
S30310, S30323, and S30345;
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
1.2.2 Martensitic alloys: UNS numbers S41600, S41610,
Unified Numbering System (UNS)
and S41623; and
4
1.2.3 Ferritic alloys: UNS numbers S18200, S18235,
2.2 SAE Standard:
S41603, S43020, and S43023.
J 1086 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)
NOTE 1—For wire other than for free-machining applications, see
3. Terminology
Specification A580/A580M.
NOTE 2—For Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars, see Specification
3.1 Refer to Terminology A941 for terms related to steel,
A582/A582M.
stainless steel, and related alloys.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI
(metric) units are to be regarded separately as standard; within
4. Ordering Information
the text and tables, the SI units are shown in [brackets]. The
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all
values stated in each system are not exact equivalents;
requirements that are necessary for material ordered under this
therefore,eachsystemmustbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
specification. Such requirements may include, but are not
Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-
limited to, the following:
formance with the specification.
4.1.1 Quantity (weight),
1.4 Unless the order specifies the applicable “M” specifica-
4.1.2 Alloy UNS Designation (see Table 1),
tion designation, the material shall be furnished to the inch-
4.1.3 Condition (see Section 7 and Table 2),
pound units.
4.1.4 Finish (see Section 9),
4.1.5 Applicabledimensionsandtolerances,ifdifferentthan
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Specification A555/A555M, including size, thickness, width,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
and length or coil diameter (inside or outside diameter), and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
coil weights,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.6 Cross section (round, square, etc.),
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
A01.17 on Flat-Rolled and Wrought Stainless Steel. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022. Published November 2022. Originally Refer to Table X1.1 for guidance regarding type designations.
4
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as A581/A581M – 22. Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth
DOI: 10.1520/A0581_A0581M-22A. Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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A581/A581M−22a
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, %
UNS
C Phos-
Desig- Type
Car
...

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: A581/A581M − 22 A581/A581M − 22a
Standard Specification for
1
Free-Machining Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A581/A581M; 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*
1.1 This specification covers free-machining stainless steels of cold-finished wire and hot-finished wire rods in coils. Wire rods
are a semi-finished product primarily for the manufacture of wire. Wire includes rounds, squares, hexagons, and special shapes in
free-machining stainless steels designed especially for optimum machinability and for general corrosion and high-temperature
service.
1.2 The following alloys are covered:
1.2.1 Austenitic alloys: UNS numbers S20300, S30300, S30310, S30323, and S30345;
1.2.2 Martensitic alloys: UNS numbers S41600, S41610, and S41623; and
1.2.3 Ferritic alloys: UNS numbers S18200, S18235, S41603, S43020, and S43023.
NOTE 1—For wire other than for free-machining applications, see Specification A580/A580M.
NOTE 2—For Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars, see Specification A582/A582M.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI (metric) units are to be regarded separately as standard; within the text and
tables, the SI units are shown in [brackets]. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
1.4 Unless the order specifies the applicable “M” specification designation, the material shall be furnished to the inch-pound units.
1.5 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.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.17
on Flat-Rolled and Wrought Stainless Steel.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022Nov. 1, 2022. Published September 2022November 2022. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20142022
as A581/A581M – 95b (2014).A581/A581M – 22. DOI: 10.1520/A0581_A0581M-22.10.1520/A0581_A0581M-22A.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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A581/A581M − 22a
2. Referenced Documents
2,3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A555/A555M Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
A580/A580M Specification for Stainless Steel Wire
A582/A582M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
4
2.2 SAE Standard:
J 1086 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)
3. Terminology
3.1 Refer to Terminology A941 for terms related to steel, stainless steel, and related alloys.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all requirements that are necessary for material ordered under this
specification. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to, the following:
4.1.1 Quantity (weight),
4.1.2 Alloy UNS Designation (see Table 1),
4.1.3 Condition (see Section 7 and Table 2),
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, %
UNS
C Phos-
Desig- Type
Carbon, Manga-
B
A phorus, Sulfur Silicon, max Chromium Nickel Other Elements
B
nation
max nese
max
AUSTENITIC ALLOYS
S20300 XM-1 0.08 5.0–6.5 0.04 0.18–0.35 1.00 16.0–18.0 5.0–6.5 Cu 1.75–2.25
S30300 303 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.15 min 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 . . .
S30310 XM-5 0.15 2.5–4.5 0.20 0.25 min 1.00 17.0–19.0 7.0–10.0 . . .
S30323 303 Se 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.06 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 Se 0.15 min
S30345 XM-2 0.15 2.00 0.05 0.11–0.16 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 Mo 0.40–0.60
Al 0
...