ASTM E45-18a(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
Standard Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods cover four macroscopic and five microscopic test methods (manual and image analysis) for describing the inclusion content of steel and procedures for expressing test results.
4.2 Inclusions are characterized by size, shape, concentration, and distribution rather than chemical composition. Although compositions are not identified, Microscopic methods place inclusions into one of several composition-related categories (sulfides, oxides, and silicates—the last as a type of oxide). Paragraph 11.1.1 describes a metallographic technique to facilitate inclusion discrimination. Only those inclusions present at the test surface can be detected.
4.3 The macroscopic test methods evaluate larger surface areas than microscopic test methods and because examination is visual or at low magnifications, these methods are best suited for detecting larger inclusions. Macroscopic methods are not suitable for detecting inclusions smaller than about 0.40 mm (1/64 in.) in length and the methods do not discriminate inclusions by type.
4.4 The microscopic test methods are employed to characterize inclusions that form as a result of deoxidation or due to limited solubility in solid steel (indigenous inclusions). As stated in 1.1, these microscopic test methods rate inclusion severities and types based on morphological type, that is, by size, shape, concentration, and distribution, but not specifically by composition. These inclusions are characterized by morphological type, that is, by size, shape, concentration, and distribution, but not specifically by composition. The microscopic methods are not intended for assessing the content of exogenous inclusions (those from entrapped slag or refractories). In case of a dispute whether an inclusion is indigenous or exogenous, microanalytical techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) may be used to aid in determining the nature of the inclusion. However, experience and knowledge of the casting proce...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover a number of recognized procedures for determining the nonmetallic inclusion content of wrought steel. Macroscopic methods include macroetch, fracture, step-down, and magnetic particle tests. Microscopic methods include five generally accepted systems of examination. In these microscopic methods, inclusions are assigned to a category based on similarities in morphology, and not necessarily on their chemical identity. Metallographic techniques that allow simple differentiation between morphologically similar inclusions are briefly discussed. While the methods are primarily intended for rating inclusions, constituents such as carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, borides, and intermetallic phases may be rated using some of the microscopic methods. In some cases, alloys other than steels may be rated using one or more of these methods; the methods will be described in terms of their use on steels.
1.2 These test methods cover procedures to perform JK-type inclusion ratings using automatic image analysis in accordance with microscopic methods A and D.
1.3 Depending on the type of steel and the properties required, either a macroscopic or a microscopic method for determining the inclusion content, or combinations of the two methods, may be found most satisfactory.
1.4 These test methods deal only with recommended test methods and nothing in them should be construed as defining or establishing limits of acceptability for any grade of steel.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory...
General Information
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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: E45 − 18a (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Methods for
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Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E45; 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 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 These test methods cover a number of recognized
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
procedures for determining the nonmetallic inclusion content
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of wrought steel. Macroscopic methods include macroetch,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fracture, step-down, and magnetic particle tests. Microscopic
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
methods include five generally accepted systems of examina-
tion. In these microscopic methods, inclusions are assigned to
2. Referenced Documents
a category based on similarities in morphology, and not
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
necessarily on their chemical identity. Metallographic tech-
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
niques that allow simple differentiation between morphologi-
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
cally similar inclusions are briefly discussed. While the meth-
E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets,
ods are primarily intended for rating inclusions, constituents
Blooms, and Forgings
such as carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, borides, and interme-
E709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing
tallic phases may be rated using some of the microscopic
E768 Guide for Preparing and Evaluating Specimens for
methods. In some cases, alloys other than steels may be rated
Automatic Inclusion Assessment of Steel
using one or more of these methods; the methods will be
E1245 Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-
described in terms of their use on steels.
Phase Constituent Content of Metals by Automatic Image
1.2 These test methods cover procedures to perform JK-type
Analysis
inclusion ratings using automatic image analysis in accordance
E1444/E1444M Practice for Magnetic Particle Testing for
with microscopic methods A and D.
Aerospace
1.3 Depending on the type of steel and the properties
E1951 Guide for Calibrating Reticles and Light Microscope
required, either a macroscopic or a microscopic method for
Magnifications
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determining the inclusion content, or combinations of the two
2.2 SAE Standards:
methods, may be found most satisfactory.
J422, Recommended Practice for Determination of Inclu-
sions in Steel
1.4 These test methods deal only with recommended test
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methods and nothing in them should be construed as defining 2.3 Aerospace Material Specifications:
or establishing limits of acceptability for any grade of steel. AMS 2300, Premium Aircraft-Quality Steel Cleanliness:
Magnetic Particle Inspection Procedure
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
AMS 2301, Aircraft Quality Steel Cleanliness: Magnetic
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
Particle Inspection Procedure
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
AMS 2303, Aircraft Quality Steel Cleanliness: Martensitic
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Corrosion-Resistant Steels Magnetic Particle Inspection
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Procedure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
AMS 2304, Special Aircraft-Quality Steel Cleanliness: Mag-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
netic Particle Inspection Procedure
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.09 on Inclu- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
sions. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1942. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E45 –18a. DOI: Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale,
10.1520/E0045-18AR23. PA 15096-0001, ht
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