ASTM A555/A555M-97(2002)
(Specification)Standard Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
Standard Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers general requirements that shall apply to stainless wire and wire rods. Wire rods are a semifinished product intended primarily for the manufacture of wire. Wire is intended primarily for cold forming, including coiling, stranding, weaving, heading and machining as covered under the latest revision of each of the following ASTM specifications: A313/A313M, A368, A478, A492, A493, A580/A580M and A581/A581M.
1.2 In case of conflicting requirements, the individual material specification and this general requirement specification shall prevail in the order named.
1.3 General requirements for flat products other than wire are covered in Specification A480/A480M.
1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are covered in Specification A484/A484M.
1.5 The values stated in 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 independent of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
1.6 Unless the order specifies the applicable metric specification designation, the material shall be furnished in the inch-pound units.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 555/A 555M – 97 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Specification for
General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire
Rods
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA555/A555M; 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 A 368 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire Strand
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for MechanicalTesting
1.1 This specification covers general requirements that shall
of Steel Products
apply to stainless wire and wire rods. Wire rods are a
A 478 Specification for Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel
semifinished product intended primarily for the manufacture of
Weaving and Knitting Wire
wire. Wire is intended primarily for cold forming, including
A 480/A 480M Specification for General Requirements for
coiling, stranding, weaving, heading and machining as covered
Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate,
under the latest revision of each of the following ASTM
Sheet, and Strip
specifications: A 313/A 313M, A 368, A 478, A 492, A 493,
A 484/A 484M Specification for General Requirements for
A 580/A 580M and A 581/A 581M.
Stainless and Heat-Resisting Bars, Billets, and Forgings
1.2 In case of conflicting requirements, the individual ma-
A 492 Specification for Stainless Steel Rope Wire
terial specification and this general requirement specification
A 493 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
shall prevail in the order named.
for Cold Heading and Cold Forging
1.3 General requirements for flat products other than wire
A 580/A 580M Specification for Stainless Steel Wire
are covered in Specification A 480/A 480M.
A 581/A 581M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless
1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are
and Heat-Resisting Steel Wire and Wire Rods
covered in Specification A 484/A 484M.
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units or SI (metric)
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
units are to be regarded separately as standard; within the text
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
and tables, the SI units are shown in brackets ([]). The values
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each
E 112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
system must be used independent of the other. Combining
2.2 Federal Standard:
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
with the specification.
2.3 Military Standards:
1.6 Unless the order specifies the applicable metric specifi-
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
cation designation, the material shall be furnished in the
MIL-STD-163 Preservation of Steel Products for Domestic
inch-pound units.
Shipment
2. Referenced Documents
2.4 Other Standard:
Primary Metals Bar Code Standard
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranu-
3. Terminology
lar Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
A 313/A 313M Specification for Stainless Steel Spring
Wire
1 3
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
Stainless Steel, and RelatedAlloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
A01.17 on Flat Stainless Steel Products. AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Current edition approved March 10, 1997. Published November 1997. Originally Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094. Attn: NPODS.
published as A 555 – 65. Last previous edition A 555/A 555M – 94a. Automotive IndustryAction Group, 26200 Lahser Road, Suite 200, Southfield,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. MI 48034.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
A 555/A 555M – 97 (2002)
3.1.1 bar—wire that has been straightened and cut (see age hardening grades when solution treated, may be heat
SpecificationA 484/A 484M). However, a straightened and cut treated in more than one charge in the same furnace or in
small diameter product is often called straightened and cut severalfurnaces,utilizingcontrolledprocessingandequipment
wire. (see appendix). However, when heat treating martensitic stain-
3.1.2 wire—as covered by this specification and the speci- less steels to Condition T or H and when age hardening the
fications itemized in 1.1, is any round or shaped cold-reduced precipitationhardeningstainlesssteels,alotshallconsistofthe
product, in coils only, produced by cold-finishing coiled wire same size, same heat, and the same heat treat charge in a
rod. batch-type furnace or under the same conditions in a continu-
3.1.3 wire rods—semifinished product intended primarily ous furnace.
for the manufacture of wire.They are hot rolled generally to an
9. Number of Tests and Retests
approximate round cross section in continuous length coils.
9.1 Unless otherwise specified in the product specification,
4. Materials and Manufacture
one sample per heat shall be selected for chemical analysis and
4.1 The material may be furnished in one of the conditions
one mechanical test sample shall be selected from each lot of
detailed in the applicable material specification, that is, an-
wire. All tests shall conform to the chemical and mechanical
nealed, bright annealed, cold worked, or as otherwise specified
requirements of the material specification.
on the purchase order.
9.2 Oneintergranularcorrosiontest,whenrequired,andone
4.2 A variety of finishes, coatings, and lubricants are avail-
grain size test, when required, shall be made from each lot. It
able. The particular type used is dependent upon the specific
is often convenient to obtain test material from the specimen
end use. Unless otherwise specified, the finish, coating, and
selected for mechanical testing.
lubricant will be furnished as required by the individual
9.3 Ifanytestspecimenshowsimperfectionsthatmayaffect
material specification or purchase order.
the test results, it may be discarded and another specimen
substituted.
5. Chemical Composition
9.4 If the results of any test lot are not in conformance with
5.1 Heat or Cast Analysis—The chemical analysis of each
the requirements of this specification and the applicable
heat shall be determined in accordance with the applicable
product specification, a retest sample of two specimens may be
material specification and Test Methods, Practices, and Termi-
tested to replace each failed specimen of the original sample. If
nology A 751.
one of the retest specimens fails, the lot shall be rejected.
5.2 Product Analysis—When required, a product analysis
shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods, Prac-
10. Retreatment
tices, and Terminology A 751. The chemical composition thus
10.1 Where failure of any lot is due to inadequate heat
determined shall conform to the tolerances shown in Table 1.
treatment, the material may be reheat treated and resubmitted
5.3 The steel shall not contain an unspecified element for
for test.
the ordered grade to the extent that the steel conforms to the
requirements of another grade in the referencing product
11. Test Methods
specification, and any of the product specifications within the
11.1 The properties enumerated in applicable specifications
scope of this general specification, for which that element has
shall be determined in accordance with the following ASTM
a specified minimum.
methods:
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions 11.1.1 Chemical Analysis—Test Methods, Practices, and
Terminology A 751.
6.1 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the
11.1.2 Tension Test—Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
product shall conform to the permissible variations in dimen-
11.1.3 Intergranular Corrosion (when required)—Practice
sions as specified in Tables 2-5 of this specification.
E of Practices A 262.
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance 11.1.4 Grain Size (when required)—Test Methods E 112.
7.1 The material shall be of uniform quality consistent with
12. Inspection
good manufacturing and inspection practices. Imperfections
that may be present shall be of such a nature or degree, for the 12.1 For Civilian Procurement—Inspection of the material
shall be as agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier
type and quality ordered, that they will not adversely affect the
forming, machining, or fabrication of finished parts. as part of the purchase contract.
12.2 For Government Procurement—Unless otherwise
8. Lot Size
specified in the contract or purchase order: (1) the seller is
8.1 Alot for product analysis shall consist of all wire made responsible for the performance of all inspection and test
from the same heat. requirements in this specification, (2) the seller may use his
8.2 For other tests required by the product specification, a own or other suitable facilities for the performance of the
lot shall consist of all product of the same size, same heat, and inspection and testing, and (3) the purchaser shall have the
produced under the same processing conditions.All austenitic, right to perform any of the inspection and tests set forth in this
ferritic, and free-machining stainless steels, as well as marten- specification. The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s
sitic grades when annealed to ConditionAand precipitation or inspector all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that
A 555/A 555M – 97 (2002)
TABLE 1 Product Analysis Tolerances
NOTE— This table specifies tolerances over the maximum limits or under the minimum limits of the chemical requirements of the applicable material
specification (see 1.1); it does not apply to heat analysis.
Tolerances over the Tolerances over the
Maximum (Upper Maximum (Upper
Upper Limit or Maximum Upper Limit or Maximum
Element Limit) or Under the Element Limit) or Under the
of Specified Range, % of Specified Range, %
Minimum (Lower Minimum (Lower
Limit) Limit)
Carbon to 0.010, incl 0.002 Cobalt over 0.05 to 0.50, incl 0.01
over 0.010 to 0.030, incl 0.005 over 0.50 to 2.00, incl 0.02
over 0.030 to 0.20, incl 0.01 over 2.00 to 5.00, incl 0.05
over 0.20 to 0.60, incl 0.02 over 5.00 to 10.00, incl 0.10
over 0.60 to 1.20, incl 0.03 over 10.00 to 15.00, incl 0.15
over 15.00 to 22.00, incl 0.20
Manganese to 1.00, incl 0.03 over 22.00 to 30.00, incl 0.25
over 1.00 to 3.00, incl 0.04
over 3.00 to 6.00, incl 0.05 Columbium to 1.50, incl 0.05
over 6.00 to 10.00, incl 0.06 + over 1.50 to 5.00, incl 0.10
over 10.00 to 15.00, incl 0.10 tantalum over 5.00 0.15
over 15.00 to 20.00, incl 0.15
Phosphorus to 0.040, incl 0.005 Tantalum to 0.10, incl 0.02
over 0.040 to 0.20, incl 0.010
Sulfur to 0.040, incl 0.005
over 0.040 to 0.20, incl 0.010 Copper to 0.50, incl 0.03
over 0.20 to 0.50, incl 0.020 over 0.50 to 1.00, incl 0.05
over 1.00 to 3.00, incl 0.10
over 3.00 to 5.00, incl 0.15
over 5.00 to 10.00, incl 0.20
Silicon to 1.00, incl 0.05
over 1.00 to 3.00, incl 0.10
Chromium over 4.00 to 10.00, incl 0.10 Aluminum to 0.15, incl −0.005,
over 10.00 to 15.00, incl 0.15 +0.01
over 15.00 to 20.00, incl 0.20 over 0.15 to 0.50, incl 0.05
over 20.00 to 30.00, incl 0.25
over 0.50 to 2.00, incl 0.10
over 2.00 to 5.00, incl 0.20
over 5.00 to 10.00, incl 0.35
Nickel to 1.00, incl 0.03 Nitrogen to 0.02, incl 0.005
over 1.00 to 5.00, incl 0.07 over 0.02 to 0.19, incl 0.01
over 5.00 to 10.00, incl 0.10 over 0.19 to 0.25, incl 0.02
over 10.00 to 20.00, incl 0.15 over 0.25 to 0.35, incl 0.03
over 20.00 to 30.00, incl 0.20 over 0.35 to 0.45, incl 0.04
over 30.00 to 40.00, incl 0.25
over 40.00 0.30 Tungsten to 1.00, incl 0.03
over 1.00 to 2.00, incl 0.05
Molybdenum over 0.20 to 0.60, incl 0.03 over 2.00 to 5.00, incl 0.07
over 0.60 to 2.00, incl 0.05 over 5.00 to 10.00, incl 0.10
over 2.00 to 7.00, incl 0.10 over 10.00 to 20.00, incl 0.15
over 7.00 to 15.00, incl 0.15
over 15.00 to 30.00, incl 0.20 Vanadium to 0.50, incl 0.03
over 0.50 to 1.50, incl 0.05
Titanium to 1.00, incl 0.05
over 1.00 to 3.00, incl 0.07
over 3.00 0.10
Selenium all 0.03
TABLE 2 Permissible Variations in Size of Hot Finished Round
Wire Rods
the material is being furnished in accordance with the inspec-
Permissible Variations Specified
Out-of-
tion. Inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere unneces-
Specified Size,
Size, in. [mm] A
Round,
in. [mm] sarily with the manufacturer.
in. [mm]
Over Under
under ⁄4 [6.35] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.011 [0.28]
13. Rejection and Rehearing
1 7
⁄4 [6.35] to ⁄16 [10] 0.006 [0.15] 0.006 [0.15] 0.009 [0.23]
7 5
over ⁄16 [10] to ⁄8 [16] 0.007 [0.18] 0.007 [0.18] 0.010 [0.25]
13.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
5 7
over ⁄8 [16] to ⁄8 [22] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.012 [0.30]
7 1
thisspecificationmayberejected.Rejectionshouldbereported
over ⁄8 [22] to 1- ⁄8 [28] 0.010 [0.25] 0.010 [0.25] 0.015 [0.38]
1 3
over 1- ⁄8 [28] to 1- ⁄8 [34] 0.012 [0.30] 0.012 [0.30] 0.018 [0.45]
to the producer or supplier promptly, preferably in writing. In
A
Out-of-round is the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters
case of dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer
of the wire rod measured at the same cross section.
or supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
A 555/A 555M – 97 (2002)
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter and Out-of-Round TABLE 5 Permissible Variations in Thickness and Width for Flat
A,B,C,D
for Round Wire Wire
Diameter Tolerances, in. [mm] Permissible Variations in Width, Over and
A
Specified Diameter, in. [mm]
Under, in. [mm]
Over Under
Width, in. [mm]
For Thicknesses For Thicknesses
1.000 [25.00] and over 0.0025 [0.06] 0.0025 [0.06]
1 1
⁄4 in. [6.5 mm] and Over ⁄4 in. [6.5 mm]
Under 1.000 [25.00] to 0.500 0.002 [0.05] 0.002 [0.05]
Under
[13.00]
1 3
Under 0.5000 [13.00] to 0.3125 0.0015 [0.04] 0.0015 [0.04] ⁄16 [1.50] to ⁄8 [9.0] 0.005 [0.12] 0.005 [0.12]
[8.00] incl over ⁄8 [9.0] to 1.0 [25.00] 0.004 [0.10] 0.004 [0.10]
Under 0.3125 [8.00] to 0.0440 0.001 [0.03] 0.001 [0.03] over 1.0 [25.00] 0.006 [0.15] 0.004 [0.10]
[1.00] incl
Permissible Variations in Thickness, Over
Thickness, in. [mm]
Under 0.0440 [1.00] to 0.0330 0.0008 [0.02] 0.0008 [0.02]
A
and Under, in. [mm]
[0.80] incl
Up to 0.029 [0.70], incl 0.001 [0.03]
Under 0.0330 [0.80] to 0.0240 0.0005 [0.015] 0.0005 [0.01
...
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