ASTM A681-94(2004)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy
Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the chemical, mechanical, and physical requirements for available wrought alloy tool steel products.
1.2 These products, which include hot or cold finished bar, plate, sheet, strip, rod, wire, or forgings, are normally fabricated into tools, dies, or fixtures. The selection of a material for a particular application will depend upon design, service conditions, and desired properties.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: A 681 – 94 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Specification for
1
Tool Steels Alloy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 681; 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.
1. Scope 2.3 Federal Standards:
3
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking and Shipment (CivilAgencies)
1.1 This specification covers the chemical, mechanical, and
Fed. Std. No. 183 Continuous Identification Marking of
physical requirements for available wrought alloy tool steel
3
Iron and Steel Products
products.
2.4 Other Standards:
1.2 These products, which include hot or cold finished bar,
SAE J1086 Recommended Practice for Numbering Metals
plate, sheet, strip, rod, wire, or forgings, are normally fabri-
4
and Alloys (UNS)
cated into tools, dies, or fixtures.The selection of a material for
a particular application will depend upon design, service
3. Classification
conditions, and desired properties.
3.1 Material in accordance with this specification is classi-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
fied by chemical composition. Types correspond to respective
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
AISI designations.
for information only.
3.1.1 Hot Work Tool Steels, Identification H:
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.1.1 Types H10 to H19 are characterized by a controlled
2
chromium content along with other alloying elements.The first
2.1 ASTM Standards:
four, containing molybdenum, offer excellent toughness and
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for MechanicalTesting
high hardenability and are frequently used in cold work
of Steel Products
applications requiring toughness at relatively high hardness
A 561 Practice for Macroetch Testing of Tool Steel Bars
levels.
A 600 Specification for Tool Steel High Speed
3.1.1.2 Types H21 to H26 are characterized by a controlled
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
tungsten content along with other alloying elements. These
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
steels offer greater resistance to the softening effect of elevated
E3 Methods of Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
service temperatures but exhibit a lower degree of toughness.
E30 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Steel, Cast
3.1.1.3 Types H41 to H43 are low-carbon modifications of
Iron, Open-Hearth Iron, and Wrought Iron
molybdenum high speed tool steels (Note 1) and have charac-
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content
teristics similar to the tungsten types.
of Steel
E59 PracticeforSamplingSteelandIronforDetermination
NOTE 1—High-speed tool steels are covered in Specification A 600.
of Chemical Composition
3.1.2 Cold Work Tool Steels, Identification A—Types A2 to
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)
A10 cover a wide range of carbon and alloy contents but all
2.2 Military Standard:
have high hardenability and may be hardened in air. The low
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
carbon Types A8 and A9 have less wear resistance but offer
3
ment and Storage
greater toughness than others in this group.TypeA7, with high
carbon and vanadium, offers exceptional wear resistance but at
a very low level of toughness.
1
3.1.3 Cold Work Tool Steels, Identification D—Types D2 to
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D7 are characterized by high carbon and high chromium
A01.29 on Tool Steels.
contents and exhibit high resistance to abrasion. The types
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2004. Published January 2005. Originally
containing molybdenum may be hardened in air and offer a
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as A 681 – 94 (1999).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or high degree of dimensional stability in heat treatment.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
Available from the Standardization Documents, Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section Available from the Society ofAutomotive Engineers, 400 Commonwelth drive,
D 700 Robbins Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094 Attn: NPODS. Warrendale, PA 15096.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
A 681 – 94 (2004)
3.1.4 Cold Work Tool Steels, Identification O—Types O1 to
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.