ASTM A159-83(1993)

Standard Specification for Automotive Gray Iron Castings

SCOPE
1.1 This specification applies to gray iron castings, cast in sand molds, used in the products of the automobile, truck, tractor, and allied industries.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1992
• Technical Committee: A04 - Iron Castings
• Drafting Committee: A04.01 - Grey and White Iron Castings

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM A159-83(2001) - Standard Specification for Automotive Gray Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1993

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 159 – 83 (Reapproved 1993)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Specification for
Automotive Gray Iron Castings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 159; 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. Consult the DoD Index of Specifications and
Standards for the specific year of issue which has been adopted by the Department of Defense. This specification replaces Federal
specification AA-I-653A.
TABLE 1 Grades of Gray Iron
1. Scope
1.1 This specification applies to gray iron castings, cast in
Grade Casting Hardness Range Description
sand molds, used in the products of the automobile, truck,
G1800 HB 187 max ferritic-pearlitic
tractor, and allied industries. A
4.4 BID min or as agreed
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
G2500 HB 170-229 pearlitic-ferritic
A
4.6–4.0 BID or as agreed
as the standard.
G3000 HB 187-241 pearlitic
A
4.4–3.9 BID or as agreed
2. Referenced Documents
G3500 HB 207-255 pearlitic
A
4.2–3.8 BID or as agreed
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the
G4000 HB 217-269 pearlitic
date of material procurement form a part of this specification to A
4.1–3.7 BID or as agreed
the extent referenced herein:
A
Brinell impression diameter (BID) is the diameter in millimetres of the impres-
2.2 ASTM Standards:
sion of a 10 mm ball at 3000-kg load.
A 247 Test Method for Evaluating the Microstructure of
Graphite in Iron Castings
4.1.4 If special microstructure requirements are needed (see
E 10 Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materi-
Section 7),
als
4.1.5 Surface where hardness test is to be performed (see
2.3 Military Standard:
9.4),
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
4.1.6 Depth and surface hardness of case required (see 9.6),
2.4 Federal Standard:
4.1.7 Inspection lot and sampling plan required (see Section
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
10),
4.1.8 If additional requirements are needed (see 11.3), and
3. Grades
4.1.9 Whether special packaging and marking is required
3.1 The specified grades, hardness ranges, and metallurgical
(see Section 12).
description are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 and in Section 9.
5. Hardness
4. Ordering Information
5.1 The foundry shall exercise the necessary controls and
4.1 Orders for materials under this specification shall in-
inspection techniques to ensure compliance with the specified
clude the following information:
hardness range, Brinell hardness shall be determined in accor-
4.1.1 ASTM designation,
dance with Test Method E 10, after sufficient material has been
4.1.2 Grade designation of gray iron required (3.1),
removed from the casting surface to ensure representative
4.1.3 If special heat treatment is required (see Section 6),
hardness readings. The 10-mm ball and 3000-kg load shall be
used unless otherwise agreed upon. The area or areas on the
casting where hardness is to be checked shall be established by
agreement between supplier and purchaser and shall be shown
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-4 on Iron
on the drawing.
Castings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A04.01 on Gray Iron
Castings.
6. Heat Treatment
Current edition approved July 29, 1983. Published September 1983. Originally
published as A 159 – 35 T. Last previous edition A 159 – 77.
6.1 Unless otherwise specified, castings of Grades G1800
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02.
and G2500 may be annealed in order to meet the desired
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
hardness range.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. 6.2 Appropriate heat treatment for removal of residual
A 159
TABLE 2 Brake Drums and Clutch Plates for Special Service
A
Grade Carbon min, % Casting Hardness Microstructure
Graphite Matrix
B
G2500a 3.40 HB 170-229 Type VII, size 2–4 lamellar pearlite
4.6–4.0 BID or as agreed A distribution ferrite if present not to exceed 15%
C B
G3500b 3.40 HB 207-255 Type VII, size 3–5 lamellar pearlite
4.2–3.8 BID or as agreed A distribution ferrite or carbide if present not to exceed 5%
C B
G3500c 3.50 HB 207-255 Type VII, size 3–5 lamellar pearlite
4.2–3.8 BID or as agreed A distribution ferrite or carbide, if present not to exceed 5%
A
The chemical analysis for total carbon shall be made on chilled pencil-type specimens or from thin wafers approximately 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) thick cut from test coupons.
Drillings are not reliable because of the probable loss of graphite.
B
See Method A 247.
C
Grades G 3500b and G 3500c normally require alloying to obtain the specified hardness at the high carbon levels specified.
stresses, or to improve machinability or wear resistance may be 9.6 Selective Hardening—The cam areas of camshaft cast-
specified by agreement between supplier and purchaser. ing are usually selectively hardened by flame or induction
hardening by the supplier. The depth and surface hardness of
7. Microstructure
the hardened case shall be as agreed upon between supplier and
7.1 The microstructure shall consist of flake graphite in a
purchaser.
matrix of ferrite or pearlite or mixtures thereof.
10. Quality Assurance Provisions
7.2 As graphite size and shape somewhat affect hardness-
10.1 Responsibility for Inspection—Unless otherwise speci-
strength ratio and other properties, the type size and distribu-
tion of the graphite flakes at a designated location on the fied in the contract or purchase order, the producer is respon-
sible for the performance of all inspection and tests require-
casting may be specified by agreement between supplier and
purchaser in accordance with Method A 247. ments specified in this specification. Except as otherwise
7.3 Unless otherwise specified, the matrix microstructure of specified in the contract or purchase order, the producer may
castings covered by this specification shall be substantially free use his own or any other suitable facilities for the performance
of primary cementite. Castings in Grades G1800 and G2500 of the inspection and test requirements specified herein, unless
may have a matrix of ferrite or pearlite or both. Grades G3000, disapproved by the purchaser. The purchaser shall have the
G3500, and G4000 shall be substantially pearlite in matrix right to perform any of the inspection and tests set for in this
structure. specification where such inspections are deemed necessary to
assure that material conform to prescribed requirements.
8. Heavy-Duty Brake Drums and Clutch Plates
10.2 Lot—For the purpose of inspection, lot and sampling
8.1 These castings are considered as special cases and are plans shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and the
covered in Table 2.
producer.
9. Alloy Gray Iron Automotive Camshafts
11. General
9.1 These castings are considered as special cases. 11.1 Castings furnished to this specification shall be repre-
9.2 Grade Designation—G4000d.
sentative of good foundry practice and shall conform to
9.3 Chemistry—Alloy gray iron camshafts shall contain dimensions and tolerances specified on the casting drawing.
alloys within the following range or as agreed upon between
11.2 Minor imperfections usually not associated with the
supplier and purchaser. structural function may occur in castings. These are often
Chromium 0.85–1.25 % repairable but repairs shall be made only where allowed by the
Molybdenum 0.40–0.60 %
purchaser and only by approved methods.
Nickel as agreed
11.3 Additional casting requirements may be agreed upon
9.4 Casting Hardness—HB 241-321 determined on a bear-
by purchaser and supplier. These should appear as product
ing surface as agreed by supplier and purchaser. specifications on the casting or part drawing.
9.5 Microstructure—Extending 45° on both sides of the
1 12. Preparation for Delivery
centerline of the cam nose and to a minimum depth of ⁄8 in.
(3.2 mm), the surface shall consist of primary carbides (of 12.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
acicular or cellular form or a mixture thereof) and graphite in order, castings shall be cleaned, preserved, and packaged in
a fine pearlitic matrix. The graphite shall be Type VII A and E accordance with supplier’s standard commercial practice.
distribution, 4 to 7 flake size in accordance with Method A 247. 12.2 Government Procurement—When specified for Gov-
The amount of primary carbides and location at which the ernment procurement, castings shall be marked for shipment in
structure is checked shall be a matter of agreement between the accordance with MIL-STD-129 for military procurement and
supplier and the purchaser. Fed. Std. No. 123 for civil agency procurement.
A 159
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. GRAY IRON
TABLE X1.2 Usual Composition of Brake Drums and Clutch
X1.1 Definition
Plates for Special Service
X1.1.1 gray iron—a cast iron in which the graphite is
present as flakes instead of temper carbon nodules as in
Chemical Compo- Grade Grade Grade
malleable iron or small spherulites as in ductile iron. sition, % G2500a G3500b G3500c
Carbon, total (mandatory) 3.40 min 3.40 min 3.50 min
X1.2 Chemical Composition Silicon (as required) 1.60–2.10 1.30–1.80 1.30–1.80
Manganese (as required) 0.60–0.90 0.60–0.90 0.60–0.90
X1.2.1 The ranges in composition generally employed in
Sulfur, max 0.12 0.12 0.12
producing the various grades of most automotive gray iron Phosphorus, max 0.15 0.15 0.15
Alloys as required as required as required
castings are shown in Table X1.1. The composition ranges for
such special applications as heavy duty brake drums and clutch
plates and camshafts are shown in Table X1.2 and Table X1.3,
TABLE X1.3 Usual Chemical Composition of Alloy Gray Iron
Automotive Camshafts
respectively. The contents of certain elements for these appli-
cations are critical in terms of service requirements and the
Grade G4000d, %
ranges are specified in the standard.
Total c
...