ASTM A555/A555M-05(2009)
(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
ABSTRACT
This specification covers general requirements that shall apply to stainless wire and wire rods. Wire is intended primarily for cold forming, including coiling, stranding, weaving, heading and machining as covered under the required specifications. The material may be furnished in one of the conditions detailed in the applicable material specification, that is, annealed, bright annealed, or cold worked. Intergranular corrosion test, grain size test, tension test, and chemical analysis shall conform to the chemical and mechanical requirements of the material specification.
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: A 313/A 313M, A 368, A 478, A 492, A 493, A 580/A 580M and A 581/A 581M.
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 A 480/A 480M.
1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are covered in Specification A 484/A 484M.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
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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Designation:A555/A555M −05(Reapproved 2009)
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 (´) 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 A313/A313M Specification for Stainless Steel Spring Wire
A368 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire Strand
1.1 This specification covers general requirements that shall
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
apply to stainless wire and wire rods. Wire rods are a
of Steel Products
semifinished product intended primarily for the manufacture of
A478 Specification for Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel
wire. Wire is intended primarily for cold forming, including
Weaving and Knitting Wire
coiling, stranding, weaving, heading and machining as covered
A480/A480M Specification for General Requirements for
under the latest revision of each of the following ASTM
Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate,
specifications: A313/A313M, A368, A478, A492, A493,
Sheet, and Strip
A580/A580M and A581/A581M.
A484/A484M Specification for General Requirements for
1.2 In case of conflicting requirements, the individual ma-
Stainless Steel Bars, Billets, and Forgings
terial specification and this general requirement specification
A492 Specification for Stainless Steel Rope Wire
shall prevail in the order named.
A493 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
1.3 General requirements for flat products other than wire
for Cold Heading and Cold Forging
are covered in Specification A480/A480M.
A580/A580M Specification for Stainless Steel Wire
1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are A581/A581M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless
covered in Specification A484/A484M. Steel Wire and Wire Rods
A700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Meth-
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
ods for Steel Products for Shipment
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
cal Analysis of Steel Products
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard.
2.2 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
1.6 Unless the order specifies the applicable metric specifi-
cation designation, the material shall be furnished in the
2.3 Military Standards:
inch-pound units.
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
MIL-STD-163 Preservation of Steel Products for Domestic
2. Referenced Documents
Shipment
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2.4 Other Standard:
A262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular
Primary Metals Bar Code Standard
Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
3. Terminology
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.17 on Flat-Rolled and Wrought Stainless Steel.
Current edition approved May 1, 2009. Published May 2009. Originally
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A555/A555M – 05.
DOI: 10.1520/A0555_A0555M-05R09. AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM www.access.gpo.gov.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAutomotive IndustryAction Group (AIAG), 26200 Lahser Rd.,
the ASTM website. Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48033, http://www.aiag.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A555/A555M−05 (2009)
3.1.1 bar—wire that has been straightened and cut (see mums. The purchaser is not permitted to make chemical
Specification A484/A484M). However, a straightened and cut requirements less stringent.
small diameter product is often called straightened and cut 5.1.6 Analysis limits shall be established for specific
wire. elements rather than groups of elements, including but not
limited to “all others,” “rare earths,” and “balance,” unless all
3.1.2 wire—as covered by this specification and the speci-
elements in such a group are similar in technical effect and are
fications itemized in 1.1, is any round or shaped cold-reduced
associated in typical methods of chemical analysis.
product, in coils only, produced by cold-finishing coiled wire
rod.
5.2 Product Analysis—When required, a product analysis
shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods, Prac-
3.1.3 wire rods—semifinished product intended primarily
tices, and Terminology A751. The chemical composition thus
for the manufacture of wire.They are hot rolled generally to an
determined shall conform to the tolerances shown in Table 1.
approximate round cross section in continuous length coils.
5.3 The steel shall not contain an unspecified element for
4. Materials and Manufacture
the ordered grade to the extent that the steel conforms to the
requirements of another grade in the referencing product
4.1 The material may be furnished in one of the conditions
specification, and any of the product specifications within the
detailed in the applicable material specification, that is, an-
scope of this general specification, for which that element has
nealed, bright annealed, cold worked, or as otherwise specified
a specified minimum.
on the purchase order.
4.2 A variety of finishes, coatings, and lubricants are avail-
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
able. The particular type used is dependent upon the specific
6.1 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the
end use. Unless otherwise specified, the finish, coating, and
product shall conform to the permissible variations in dimen-
lubricant will be furnished as required by the individual
sions as specified in Tables 2-5 of this specification.
material specification or purchase order.
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
5. Chemical Composition
7.1 The material shall be of uniform quality consistent with
5.1 Heat or Cast Analysis—The chemical analysis of each
good manufacturing and inspection practices. Imperfections
heat shall be determined in accordance with the applicable
that may be present shall be of such a nature or degree, for the
material specification and Test Methods, Practices, and Termi-
type and quality ordered, that they will not adversely affect the
nology A751.
forming, machining, or fabrication of finished parts.
5.1.1 The analysis of each heat shall be made from a test
sample taken during the pouring of the melt, or from the
8. Lot Size
in-process product later in the manufacturing flow.
5.1.2 The heat analysis shall conform to the chemical
8.1 Alot for product analysis shall consist of all wire made
requirements for each of the specified elements for the grade from the same heat.
ordered, as listed in the applicable product specification.
8.2 For other tests required by the product specification, a
5.1.3 All commercial metals contain small amounts of
lot shall consist of all product of the same size, same heat, and
elements other than those which are specified. It is neither
produced under the same processing conditions.All austenitic,
practical nor necessary to specify limits for unspecified ele-
ferritic, and free-machining stainless steels, as well as marten-
ments, whether intentionally added unspecified elements, re-
sitic grades when annealed to ConditionAand precipitation or
sidual elements, or trace elements, that can be present. The
age hardening grades when solution treated, may be heat
producer is permitted to analyze for unspecified elements and
treated in more than one charge in the same furnace or in
is permitted to report such analyses. The presence of an
severalfurnaces,utilizingcontrolledprocessingandequipment
unspecified element and the reporting of an analysis for that
(see appendix). However, when heat treating martensitic stain-
element shall not be a basis for rejection unless the presence of
less steels to Condition T or H and when age hardening the
thatelementcausesthelossofapropertytypicallyexpectedfor
precipitationhardeningstainlesssteels,alotshallconsistofthe
that metal for the type and quality ordered.
same size, same heat, and the same heat treat charge in a
5.1.4 The purchaser is permitted to require in the purchase
batch-type furnace or under the same conditions in a continu-
order a maximum limit for an individual element not specified
ous furnace.
in the product specification. Such a requirement for an element
not listed in the product specification, when acknowledged in
9. Number of Tests and Retests
the order acceptance, shall be treated as a specified element,
9.1 Unless otherwise specified in the product specification,
with determination of chemical analysis and reporting of that
one sample per heat shall be selected for chemical analysis and
analysis.
one mechanical test sample shall be selected from each lot of
5.1.5 The purchaser is permitted to make the requirements
wire. All tests shall conform to the chemical and mechanical
for any element more stringent, that is, require higher mini-
requirements of the material specification.
mums for elements having minimum requirements or ranges
with minimum requirements, or requiring lower maximums for 9.2 Oneintergranularcorrosiontest,whenrequired,andone
elements having specified maximums, or ranges with maxi- grain size test, when required, shall be made from each lot. It
A555/A555M−05 (2009)
TABLE 1 Product Analysis Tolerances
NOTE 1—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
is often convenient to obtain test material from the specimen 10. Retreatment
selected for mechanical testing.
10.1 Where failure of any lot is due to inadequate heat
9.3 Ifanytestspecimenshowsimperfectionsthatmayaffect
treatment, the material may be reheat treated and resubmitted
the test results, it may be discarded and another specimen
for test.
substituted.
9.4 If the results of any test lot are not in conformance with
11. Test Methods
the requirements of this specification and the applicable
11.1 The properties enumerated in applicable specifications
product specification, a retest sample of two specimens may be
shall be determined in accordance with the following ASTM
tested to replace each failed specimen of the original sample. If
methods:
one of the retest specimens fails, the lot shall be rejected.
A555/A555M−05 (2009)
TABLE 2 Permissible Variations in Size of Hot Finished Round TABLE 5 Permissible Variations in Thickness and Width for Flat
Wire Rods Wire
Permissible Variations Specified Permissible Variations in Width, Over and
A
Out-of-
Size, in. [mm] Under, in. [mm]
Specified Size,
A
Round,
in. [mm] Width, in. [mm]
Over Under For Thicknesses ⁄4 For Thicknesses
in. [mm]
in. [6.5 mm] and Over ⁄4 in. [6.5 mm]
Under
under ⁄4 [6.35] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.011 [0.28]
1 7 1 3
⁄4 [6.35] to ⁄16 [10] 0.006 [0.15] 0.006 [0.15] 0.009 [0.23] ⁄16 [1.50] to ⁄8 [9.0] 0.005 [0.12] 0.005 [0.12]
7 5 3
over ⁄16 [10] to ⁄8 [16] 0.007 [0.18] 0.007 [0.18] 0.010 [0.25] over ⁄8 [9.0] to 1.0 [25.00] 0.004 [0.10] 0.004 [0.10]
5 7
over ⁄8 [16] to ⁄8 [22] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.012 [0.30] over 1.0 [25.00] 0.006 [0.15] 0.004 [0.10]
7 1
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]
Permissible Variations in Thickness, Over
A A
Out-of-roundisthedifferencebetweenthem
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:A555/A555M–05 Designation: A 555/A 555M – 05 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Specification for
General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire
Rods
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA 555/A 555M; 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 Department of Defense.
1. 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:
A 313/A 313M/A313M,, A 368, A 478, A 492, A 493, A580/A580M and A581/A581M. , A 580/A 580M and A 581/A 581M.
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 A 480/A 480M/A480M.
1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are covered in Specification A 484/A 484M/A484M.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound either SI units or SI (metric) inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard;
within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in brackets ([]). standard. The values stated in each system aremay not be exact
equivalents; therefore, each system mustshall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
result in non-conformance with the specification. standard.
1.6 Unless the order specifies the applicable metric specification designation, the material shall be furnished in the inch-pound
units.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
A 313/A 313M Specification for Stainless Steel Spring Wire
A 368 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire Strand
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
A 478 Specification for Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Weaving and Knitting Wire
A 480/A 480M Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and
Strip
A 484/A 484M Specification for General Requirements for Stainless and Heat-ResistingSteel Bars, Billets, and Forgings
A 492 Specification for Stainless Steel Rope Wire
A 493 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods for Cold Heading and Cold Forging
A 580/A 580M Specification for Stainless Steel Wire
A 581/A 581M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Wire and Wire Rods
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
2.2 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM CommitteeA01 on Steel, Stainless Steel,Steel and RelatedAlloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.17 on Flat-Rolled and Wrought Stainless Steel.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2005. Published September 2005. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as A555/A555M–97 (2002).
Current edition approved May 1, 2009. Published May 2009. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A 555/A 555M – 05.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
A 555/A 555M – 05 (2009)
2.3 Military Standards:
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
MIL-STD-163 Preservation of Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
2.4 Other Standard:
Primary Metals Bar Code Standard
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 bar—wire that has been straightened and cut (see Specification A 484/A 484M/A484M).). However, a straightened and
cut small diameter product is often called straightened and cut wire.
3.1.2 wire—as covered by this specification and the specifications itemized in 1.1, is any round or shaped cold-reduced product,
in coils only, produced by cold-finishing coiled wire rod.
3.1.3 wire rods—semifinished product intended primarily for the manufacture of wire. They are hot rolled generally to an
approximate round cross section in continuous length coils.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 The material may be furnished in one of the conditions detailed in the applicable material specification, that is, annealed,
bright annealed, cold worked, or as otherwise specified on the purchase order.
4.2 Avariety of finishes, coatings, and lubricants are available. The particular type used is dependent upon the specific end use.
Unless otherwise specified, the finish, coating, and lubricant will be furnished as required by the individual material specification
or purchase order.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 Heat or Cast Analysis—The chemical analysis of each heat shall be determined in accordance with the applicable material
specification and Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751.
5.1.1 The analysis of each heat shall be made from a test sample taken during the pouring of the melt, or from the in-process
product later in the manufacturing flow.
5.1.2 The heat analysis shall conform to the chemical requirements for each of the specified elements for the grade ordered, as
listed in the applicable product specification.
5.1.3 All commercial metals contain small amounts of elements other than those which are specified. It is neither practical nor
necessary to specify limits for unspecified elements, whether intentionally added unspecified elements, residual elements, or trace
elements, that can be present. The producer is permitted to analyze for unspecified elements and is permitted to report such
analyses. The presence of an unspecified element and the reporting of an analysis for that element shall not be a basis for rejection
unless the presence of that element causes the loss of a property typically expected for that metal for the type and quality ordered.
5.1.4 The purchaser is permitted to require in the purchase order a maximum limit for an individual element not specified in
theproductspecification.Sucharequirementforanelementnotlistedintheproductspecification,whenacknowledgedintheorder
acceptance, shall be treated as a specified element, with determination of chemical analysis and reporting of that analysis.
5.1.5 The purchaser is permitted to make the requirements for any element more stringent, that is, require higher minimums for
elements having minimum requirements or ranges with minimum requirements, or requiring lower maximums for elements having
specified maximums, or ranges with maximums. The purchaser is not permitted to make chemical requirements less stringent.
5.1.6 Analysis limits shall be established for specific elements rather than groups of elements, including but not limited to “all
others,” “rare earths,” and “balance,” unless all elements in such a group are similar in technical effect and are associated in typical
methods of chemical analysis.
5.2 Product Analysis— When required, a product analysis shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and
Terminology A 751. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the tolerances shown in Table 1.
5.3 The steel shall not contain an unspecified element for the ordered grade to the extent that the steel conforms to the
requirements of another grade in the referencing product specification, and any of the product specifications within the scope of
this general specification, for which that element has a specified minimum.
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
6.1 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the product shall conform to the permissible variations in dimensions as
specified in Tables 2-5 of this specification.
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
7.1 The material shall be of uniform quality consistent with good manufacturing and inspection practices. Imperfections that
may be present shall be of such a nature or degree, for the type and quality ordered, that they will not adversely affect the forming,
machining, or fabrication of finished parts.
Available from Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), 26200 Lahser Rd., Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48034.48033, http://www.aiag.org.
A 555/A 555M – 05 (2009)
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
Permissible Variations Specified
Out-of-
Specified Size,
Size, in. [mm] A
Round,
in. [mm]
in. [mm]
Over Under
under ⁄4 [6.35] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.011 [0.28]
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]
5 7
over ⁄8 [16] to ⁄8 [22] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.012 [0.30]
7 1
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]
A
Out-of-round is the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters
of the wire rod measured at the same cross section.
A 555/A 555M – 05 (2009)
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter and Out-of-Round
A,B,C ,D
for Round Wire
Diameter Tolerances, in. [mm]
Specified Diameter, in. [mm]
Over Under
1.000 [25.00] and over 0.0025 [0.06] 0.0025 [0.06]
Under 1.000 [25.00] to 0.500 0.002 [0.05] 0.002 [0.05]
[13.00]
Under 0.5000 [13.00] to 0.3125 0.0015 [0.04] 0.0015 [0.04]
[8.00] incl
Under 0.3125 [8.00] to 0.0440 0.001 [0.03] 0.001 [0.03]
[1.00] incl
Under 0.0440 [1.00] to 0.0330 0.0008 [0.02] 0.0008 [0.02]
[0.80] incl
Under 0.0330 [0.80] to 0.0240 0.0005 [0.015] 0.0005 [0.015]
[0.60] incl
Under 0.0240 [0.60] to 0.0120 0.0004 [0.010] 0.0004 [0.010]
[0.30] incl
Under 0.0120 [0.30] to 0.0080 0.0003 [0.008] 0.0003 [0.008]
[0.20] incl
Under 0.0080 [0.20] to 0.0048 0.0002 [0.005] 0.0002 [0.005]
[0.12] incl
Under 0.0048 [0.12] to 0.0030 0.0001 [0.003] 0.0001 [0.003]
[0.08] incl
A
Themaximumout-of-roundforroundwireisonehalfofthetotalsizetolerance
given in this table.
B
When it is necessary to heat treat or heat treat and pickle after cold finishing,
size tolerances are double those shown above for sizes 0.024 in. [0.60 mm] and
over.
C
Size tolerances have not been evolved for wire produced by cold rolling.
D
These tolerances apply to small diameter straightened and cut wire (sizes
below approximately ⁄16 in.). Refer to Table 5 in Specification A 484/A 484M for
bars (greater than approximately ⁄16 in.).
TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Size for Drawn Wire in
A
Hexagons, Octagons, and Squares
Size Tolerance, in. [mm]
B
Specified Size in. [mm]
Over Under
1.000 [25.00] and over 0 0.005 [0.12]
Under 1.000 [25.00] to 0.500 [13.00] incl 0 0.004 [0.10]
1 5
Under ⁄2 [13.00] to ⁄16 [8.00] incl
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:A 555/A 555M–97 (Reapproved 2002) Designation: A 555/A 555M – 05
(Reapproved 2009)
Standard Specification for
General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire
Rods
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA 555/A 555M; 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 Department of Defense.
1. 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:
A 313/A 313M/A313M,, A 368, A 478, A 492, A 493, A580/A580M and A581/A581M. , A 580/A 580M and A 581/A 581M.
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 A 480/A 480M/A480M.
1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are covered in Specification A 484/A 484M/A484M.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound either SI units or SI (metric) inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard;
within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in brackets ([]). standard. The values stated in each system aremay not be exact
equivalents; therefore, each system mustshall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
result in non-conformance with the specification. standard.
1.6 Unless the order specifies the applicable metric specification designation, the material shall be furnished in the inch-pound
units.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 262 Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels
A 313/A 313M Specification for Stainless Steel Spring Wire
A 368 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire Strand
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
A 478 Specification for Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Weaving and Knitting Wire
A 480/A 480M Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and
Strip
A 484/A 484M Specification for General Requirements for Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Bars, Billets, and Forgings
A 492 Specification for Stainless Steel Rope Wire
A 493 Specification for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods for Cold Heading and Cold Forging
A 580/A 580M Specification for Stainless Steel Wire
A 581/A 581M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Wire and Wire Rods
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
2.2 Federal Standard:
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM CommitteeA01 on Steel, Stainless Steel,Steel and RelatedAlloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.17 on Flat Stainless Steel Products.
Current edition approved March 10, 1997. Published November 1997. Originally published as A555–65. Last previous edition A555/A555M–94a. on Flat-Rolled and
Wrought Stainless Steel.
Current edition approved May 1, 2009. Published May 2009. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A 555/A 555M – 05.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 01.03.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
A 555/A 555M – 05 (2009)
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
2.3 Military Standards:
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
MIL-STD-163 Preservation of Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
2.4 Other Standard:
Primary Metals Bar Code Standard
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 bar—wire that has been straightened and cut (see Specification A 484/A 484M/A484M).). However, a straightened and
cut small diameter product is often called straightened and cut wire.
3.1.2 wire—as covered by this specification and the specifications itemized in 1.1, is any round or shaped cold-reduced product,
in coils only, produced by cold-finishing coiled wire rod.
3.1.3 wire rods—semifinished product intended primarily for the manufacture of wire. They are hot rolled generally to an
approximate round cross section in continuous length coils.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 The material may be furnished in one of the conditions detailed in the applicable material specification, that is, annealed,
bright annealed, cold worked, or as otherwise specified on the purchase order.
4.2 Avariety of finishes, coatings, and lubricants are available.The particular type used is dependent upon the specific end use.
Unless otherwise specified, the finish, coating, and lubricant will be furnished as required by the individual material specification
or purchase order.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 Heat or Cast Analysis—The chemical analysis of each heat shall be determined in accordance with the applicable material
specification and Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751.
5.1.1 The analysis of each heat shall be made from a test sample taken during the pouring of the melt, or from the in-process
product later in the manufacturing flow.
5.1.2 The heat analysis shall conform to the chemical requirements for each of the specified elements for the grade ordered, as
listed in the applicable product specification.
5.1.3 All commercial metals contain small amounts of elements other than those which are specified. It is neither practical nor
necessary to specify limits for unspecified elements, whether intentionally added unspecified elements, residual elements, or trace
elements, that can be present. The producer is permitted to analyze for unspecified elements and is permitted to report such
analyses. The presence of an unspecified element and the reporting of an analysis for that element shall not be a basis for rejection
unless the presence of that element causes the loss of a property typically expected for that metal for the type and quality ordered.
5.1.4 The purchaser is permitted to require in the purchase order a maximum limit for an individual element not specified in
theproductspecification.Sucharequirementforanelementnotlistedintheproductspecification,whenacknowledgedintheorder
acceptance, shall be treated as a specified element, with determination of chemical analysis and reporting of that analysis.
5.1.5 The purchaser is permitted to make the requirements for any element more stringent, that is, require higher minimums for
elementshavingminimumrequirementsorrangeswithminimumrequirements,orrequiringlowermaximumsforelementshaving
specified maximums, or ranges with maximums. The purchaser is not permitted to make chemical requirements less stringent.
5.1.6 Analysis limits shall be established for specific elements rather than groups of elements, including but not limited to “all
others,” “rare earths,” and “balance,” unless all elements in such a group are similar in technical effect and are associated in typical
methods of chemical analysis.
5.2 Product Analysis— When required, a product analysis shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and
Terminology A 751. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the tolerances shown in Table 1.
5.3 The steel shall not contain an unspecified element for the ordered grade to the extent that the steel conforms to the
requirements of another grade in the referencing product specification, and any of the product specifications within the scope of
this general specification, for which that element has a specified minimum.
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
6.1 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the product shall conform to the permissible variations in dimensions as
specified in Tables 2-5 of this specification.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
Available from Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), 26200 Lahser Rd., Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48033, http://www.aiag.org.
A 555/A 555M – 05 (2009)
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
Permissible Variations Specified
Out-of-
Specified Size,
Size, in. [mm] A
Round,
in. [mm]
in. [mm]
Over Under
under ⁄4 [6.35] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.011 [0.28]
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]
5 7
over ⁄8 [16] to ⁄8 [22] 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] 0.012 [0.30]
7 1
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]
A
Out-of-round is the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters
of the wire rod measured at the same cross section.
A 555/A 555M – 05 (2009)
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter and Out-of-Round
A,B,C ,D
for Round Wire
Diameter Tolerances, in. [mm]
Specified Diameter, in. [mm]
Over Under
1.000 [25.00] and over 0.0025 [0.06] 0.0025 [0.06]
Under 1.000 [25.00] to 0.500 0.002 [0.05] 0.002 [0.05]
[13.00]
Under 0.5000 [13.00] to 0.3125 0.0015 [0.04] 0.0015 [0.04]
[8.00] incl
Under 0.3125 [8.00] to 0.0440 0.001 [0.03] 0.001 [0.03]
[1.00] incl
Under 0.0440 [1.00] to 0.0330 0.0008 [0.02] 0.0008 [0.02]
[0.80] incl
Under 0.0330 [0.80] to 0.0240 0.0005 [0.015] 0.0005 [0.015]
[0.60] incl
Under 0.0240 [0.60] to 0.0120 0.0004 [0.010] 0.0004 [0.010]
[0.30] incl
Under 0.0120 [0.30] to 0.0080 0.0003 [0.008] 0.0003 [0.008]
[0.20] incl
Under 0.0080 [0.20] to 0.0048 0.0002 [0.005] 0.0002 [0.005]
[0.12] incl
Under 0.0048 [0.12] to 0.0030 0.0001 [0.003] 0.0001 [0.003]
[0.08] incl
A
Themaximumout-of-roundforroundwireisonehalfofthetotalsizetolerance
given in this table.
B
When it is necessary to heat treat or heat treat and pickle after cold finishing,
size tolerances are double those shown above for sizes 0.024 in. [0.60 mm] and
over.
C
Size tolerances have not been evolved for wire produced by cold rolling.
D
These tolerances apply to small diameter straightened and cut wire (sizes
below approximately ⁄16 in.). Refer to Table 5 in Specification A 484/A 484M for
bars (greater than approximately ⁄16 in.).
TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Size for Drawn Wire in
A
Hexagons, Octagons, and Squares
Size Tolerance, in. [mm]
B
Specified Size in. [mm]
Over Under
1.000 [25.00] and over 0 0.005 [0.12]
Under 1.000 [25.00] to 0.500 [13.00] incl 0 0.004 [0.10]
1 5
Under ⁄2 [13.00] to ⁄16 [8.00] incl 0 0.003 [0.08]
5 1
Under ⁄16 [8.00] to ⁄8 [3.00] incl 0 0.002 [0.05]
A
When it is necessary to heat treat or heat treat and pickle after cold finishing,
size tolerances are double those shown above.
B
Distance across flats.
TABLE 5 Permissible Variations in Thickness and Width for Flat
Wire
Permissible Variations in Width, Over and
A
Under, in. [mm]
Width, in. [mm] 1
For Thicknesses ⁄4 For Thicknesses
in. [6.5 mm] and Over ⁄4 in
...
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