ASTM A834-95(2020)

Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Iron Castings for General Industrial Use

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard common requirements for iron castings to be used for general industrial applications. The castings shall be made in a workman-like manner and shall conform to the dimensions on drawings furnished by the purchaser before manufacture is started. A lot shall consist of one of the following: all the metal from a single heating in a batch-type melting furnace; all the metal poured from two or more batch-type melting furnaces into a single ladle or a single casting; or all the metal poured from a continuous melting furnace for a given period of time between changes in charge, processing conditions, or aim-for chemistry, whichever is the shorter period. Specimens shall undergo tension tests and shall conform to the specified tensile strength requirements. Chemical analysis such as spectrographic methods shall be performed to determine the chemical composition which shall be in accordance to the carbon content requirement of the specimen. Visual inspection shall also be done to ensure that the casting surface is free of adhering sand, scale, cracks, and hot tears.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a group of requirements that are mandatory requirements when used in conjunction with the following iron casting specifications issued by ASTM:    
ASTM Specification2  
A47/A47M  
A48/A48M  
A197/A197M  
A220/A220M  
A278/A278M  
A319  
A395/A395M  
A436  
A439/A439M  
A518/A518M  
A532/A532M  
A536  
A571/A571M  
A823  
A842  
A874/A874M  
A897/A897M  
1.2 This specification also covers a group of supplementary requirements which may be applied to the above specifications as indicated herein. These are provided for use when additional testing or inspection is desired and apply only when specified individually by the purchaser in the order.  
1.3 The requirements of the individual material specification, and this general specification, shall prevail in the sequence named.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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: 30-Apr-2020
• ICS: 77.140.80 - Iron and steel castings
• Technical Committee: A04 - Iron Castings
• Drafting Committee: A04.01 - Grey and White Iron Castings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A834-95(2015) - Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Iron Castings for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A247-24 - Standard Test Method for Visual Evaluation of Graphite in Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM A823-99(2023) - Standard Specification for Statically Cast Permanent Mold Gray Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A571/A571M-01(2023)e1 - Standard Specification for Austenitic Ductile Iron Castings for Pressure-Containing Parts Suitable for Low-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A532/A532M-10(2023) - Standard Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast Irons
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A197/A197M-00(2023)e1 - Standard Specification for Cupola Malleable Iron
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A319-71(2020) - Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Elevated Temperatures for Non-Pressure-Containing Parts
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A436-84(2020) - Standard Specification for Austenitic Gray Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A278/A278M-01(2020) - Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Pressure-Containing Parts for Temperatures Up to 650 °F (350 °C)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A532/A532M-10(2019) - Standard Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast Irons
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A823-99(2019) - Standard Specification for Statically Cast Permanent Mold Gray Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A197/A197M-00(2019) - Standard Specification for Cupola Malleable Iron
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A571/A571M-01(2019) - Standard Specification for Austenitic Ductile Iron Castings for Pressure-Containing Parts Suitable for Low-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A536-84(2019)e1 - Standard Specification for Ductile Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019

Overview

ASTM A834-95(2020) - Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Iron Castings for General Industrial Use is an international standard developed by ASTM. This specification outlines the fundamental requirements for iron castings intended for a broad range of industrial applications. It serves as a unifying set of rules and guidelines that must be applied in conjunction with specific ASTM iron casting standards.

The primary objectives of ASTM A834-95(2020) are to ensure consistent material quality, uniform inspection processes, and reliable mechanical and chemical properties across iron castings. The specification addresses aspects such as workmanship, tensile and chemical property testing, sampling procedures, inspection protocols, packaging, and quality assurance practices.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability: Defines mandatory requirements and supplementary testing options for iron castings, complementing key ASTM casting specifications like A47, A48, A197, and others.
• Material Integrity: Requires robust mechanical testing (such as tension tests) and chemical analysis, including mandatory checks for carbon content and other elemental constituents where specified.
• Workmanship and Surface Quality: Mandates all castings meet dimensional specifications provided by purchasers and be free from visual surface defects, such as cracks, sand, scale, and hot tears.
• Sampling and Inspection: Establishes standard practices for sampling castings, with clear definitions for lot composition based on furnace type and pouring method.
• Supplementary Requirements: Allows for additional inspection methods such as magnetic particle, radiographic, and liquid penetrant examinations-these must be specifically requested by the purchaser.
• Documentation and Certification: Requires manufacturers to retain and provide detailed testing and inspection records; formal certification of compliance is provided with each lot.
• Packaging and Marking: Outlines shipment marking requirements including compliance with federal and military standards upon request.

Applications

ASTM A834-95(2020) is widely employed as a foundational reference for manufacturers, purchasers, and suppliers of iron castings in general industrial use. Its applications include:

• Industrial Equipment Manufacturing: Ensures the reliability and performance of cast iron components used in machinery, automotive, and construction equipment.
• Quality Control and Assurance: Provides a framework for ongoing verification of casting quality and compliance, supporting both supplier audits and internal quality management systems.
• Procurement and Contracting: Facilitates clear specification of casting requirements in purchase orders, reducing ambiguity and disputes between manufacturers and buyers.
• Testing and Inspection: Supports the consistent application of testing standards, enabling laboratories and inspectors to evaluate iron castings uniformly.
• Surface and Defect Evaluation: Serves as a baseline standard in combination with advanced inspection techniques for critical applications, such as pressure vessels or parts exposed to harsh environments.

Related Standards

ASTM A834-95(2020) works in conjunction with several key ASTM iron casting specifications and supporting standards, including:

• ASTM A47/A47M: Ferritic Malleable Iron Castings
• ASTM A48/A48M: Gray Iron Castings
• ASTM A197/A197M: Cupola Malleable Iron
• ASTM A220/A220M: Pearlitic Malleable Iron
• ASTM A278/A278M: Gray Iron Castings for Pressure-Containing Parts
• ASTM A395/A395M, A436, A439/A439M, A518/A518M: Specialized iron castings
• ASTM E8/E8M: Tension Testing of Metals
• ASTM E10: Brinell Hardness Testing
• ASTM A802/A802M: Visual Surface Acceptance for Steel Castings
• Federal Standards: Marking for shipment (Fed. Std. No. 123, MIL-STD-129)

By referencing ASTM A834-95(2020), industry professionals ensure that iron castings meet internationally recognized criteria for quality, consistency, and performance, supporting safe and efficient industrial operations.

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: A834 −95 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Common Requirements for Iron Castings for General
Industrial Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A834; 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.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification covers a group of requirements that
aremandatoryrequirementswhenusedinconjunctionwiththe
2. Referenced Documents
following iron casting specifications issued by ASTM:
2 2.1 ASTM Standards:
ASTM Specification
A47/A47M A47/A47MSpecification for Ferritic Malleable Iron Cast-
A48/A48M
ings
A197/A197M
A48/A48MSpecification for Gray Iron Castings
A220/A220M
A278/A278M
A197/A197MSpecification for Cupola Malleable Iron
A319
A220/A220MSpecification for Pearlitic Malleable Iron
A395/A395M
A247Test Method for Evaluating the Microstructure of
A436
A439/A439M Graphite in Iron Castings
A518/A518M
A278/A278M Specification for Gray Iron Castings for
A532/A532M
Pressure-Containing Parts for Temperatures Up to 650°F
A536
A571/A571M
(350°C)
A823
A319Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Elevated
A842
Temperatures for Non-Pressure Containing Parts
A874/A874M
A897/A897M
A395/A395M Specification for Ferritic Ductile Iron
Pressure-RetainingCastingsforUseatElevatedTempera-
1.2 This specification also covers a group of supplementary
tures
requirements which may be applied to the above specifications
A436Specification for Austenitic Gray Iron Castings
asindicatedherein.Theseareprovidedforusewhenadditional
A439/A439MSpecificationforAusteniticDuctileIronCast-
testing or inspection is desired and apply only when specified
ings
individually by the purchaser in the order.
A518/A518MSpecification for Corrosion-Resistant High-
1.3 The requirements of the individual material
Silicon Iron Castings
specification, and this general specification, shall prevail in the
A532/A532M Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast
sequence named.
Irons
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
A536Specification for Ductile Iron Castings
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical A571/A571MSpecificationforAusteniticDuctileIronCast-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
ings for Pressure-Containing Parts Suitable for Low-
and are not considered standard. Temperature Service
A644Terminology Relating to Iron Castings
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
A802/A802MPractice for Steel Castings, Surface Accep-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tance Standards, Visual Examination
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
A823SpecificationforStaticallyCastPermanentMoldGray
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Iron Castings
A842Specification for Compacted Graphite Iron Castings
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A04 on Iron
CastingsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeA04.01onGreyandWhite
Iron Castings. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as A834–95(2015). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/A0834-95R20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A834 − 95 (2020)
A874/A874MSpecification for Ferritic Ductile Iron Cast- 6. Chemical Requirements
ings Suitable for Low-Temperature Service
6.1 Theindividualproductspecificationsvaryastowhether
A897/A897MSpecification for Austempered Ductile Iron
chemical analysis is required. To determine specific
Castings
requirements, the individual product specification should be
A919Terminology Relating to Heat Treatment of Metals
reviewed.
(Withdrawn 1999)
6.2 Sampling shall be conducted in accordance with Prac-
E8/E8MTest Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
ticeE59.SpectrographicorothermethodssuchasthoseinTest
terials
Methods E30 and E351 may be used for chemical analysis. In
E10Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
the event of a dispute regarding chemical composition, Test
E29Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Methods E351 and E30 shall be used for referee purposes.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
E30TestMethodsforChemicalAnalysisofSteel,CastIron, 6.3 The chemical analysis for total carbon shall be made on
Open-Hearth Iron, and Wrought Iron (Withdrawn 1995)
chilled pencil-type specimens or from thin wafers approxi-
E59Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determination mately ⁄32 in. (0.8 mm) thick cut from test coupons. Drillings
of Chemical Composition (Withdrawn 1996) are not reliable because of a probable loss of graphite.
E94/E94MGuide for Radiographic Examination Using In-
6.4 Chemical analysis results shall be rounded, in accor-
dustrial Radiographic Film
dance with Practice E29, to the nearest unit in the last
E165/E165MPractice for Liquid Penetrant Testing for Gen-
right-hand place of values in the table of chemical require-
eral Industry
ments.
E351TestMethodsforChemicalAnalysisofCastIron—All
6.5 Aproduct analysis may be made by the purchaser from
Types
material representing each heat, lot, or casting. The analysis
E689Reference Radiographs for Ductile Iron Castings
shall be made on representative material. Samples for carbon
E709Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing
analysis shall be taken no closer than ¼ in. to a cast surface,
E802Reference Radiographs for Gray Iron Castings Up to
1 and shall follow the practice in 5.3, except where the size or
4 ⁄2 in. (114 mm) in Thickness
shape of the casting does not permit such sampling. The
2.2 Military Standard:
chemical composition thus determined shall meet the require-
MIL-STD-129Marking for Shipment and Storage
ments specified in the applicable specification for the grade
2.3 Federal Standard:
involved.
Fed. Std. No. 123Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
3. Terminology
7.1 Allcastingsshallbemadeinaworkmanlikemannerand
3.1 Definitions:
shall conform to the dimensions on drawings furnished by the
purchaser before manufacture is started. If the pattern is
3.1.1 Definitions for many terms common to iron castings
supplied by the purchaser, the dimensions of the casting shall
and their heat treatment are found in Terminology A919 and
be as predicted by the pattern.
Terminology A644. A classification of graphite structure is
found in Test Method A247.
8. Sampling
4. Ordering Information
8.1 A lot shall consist of one of the following:
8.1.1 All the metal from a single heating in a batch-type
4.1 The purchase order for castings ordered under this
melting furnace.
specification shall stipulate the applicable material
8.1.2 All the metal poured from two or more batch-type
specification(s), grade of iron, and any options or additions to
melting furnaces into a single ladle or a single casting.
the basic requirements, including the supplementary require-
8.1.3 All the metal poured from a continuous melting
ments included in this specification.
furnace for a given period of time between changes in charge,
processing conditions, or aim-for chemistry, or 4 h, whichever
5. Tensile Requirements
is the shorter period.
5.1 Theindividualproductspecificationsvaryastowhether
8.1.3.1 The purchaser may agree to extend the 4-h time
tension tests are required. For this reason, and to determine
period to8hifthe manufacturer can demonstrate sufficient
specific te
...