ASTM E1180-08

Standard Practice for Preparing Sulfur Prints for Macrostructural Evaluation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The sulfur print reveals the distribution of sulfur as sulfide inclusions in the specimen. The sulfur print complements macroetch methods by providing an additional procedure for evaluating the homogeneity of a steel product.
Sulfur prints of as-cast specimens generally reveal the solidification pattern and may be used to assess the nature of deoxidation, that is, rimming action versus killed steel sulfur distributions.
Sulfur prints will reveal segregation patterns, including refilled cracks, and may reveal certain physical irregularities, for example, porosity or cracking.
The nature of metal flow, such as in various forging operations, can be revealed using sulfur prints of specimens cut parallel to the metal flow direction.
The sulfur print method is suitable for process control, research and development studies, failure analysis, and for material acceptance purposes.
The intensity of the sulfur print is influenced by the concentration of sulfur in the steel, the chemical composition of the sulfide inclusions, the aggressiveness of the aqueous acid solution, and the duration of the contact printing between the acid soaked emulsion coated paper and the ground surface of the specimen (this time is the order of seconds rather than minutes). Very low sulfur content steels will produce too faint an image to be useful for macrostructural evaluations. Selection of appropriate printing practices including selection of type of emulsion coated media, acid type and strength, will yield satisfactory prints. Very faint images in the sulfur print can be made more visible by scanning the sulfur print into a PC, and using a photo editor to increase the color saturation. Steels with compositions that produce predominantly titanium or chromium sulfides will not produce useful images.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides information required to prepare sulfur prints (also referred to as Baumann Prints) of most ferrous alloys to reveal the distribution of sulfide inclusions.
1.2 The sulfur print reveals the distribution of sulfides in steels with bulk sulfur contents between about 0.010 and 0.40 weight percent.  
1.3 Certain steels contain complex sulfides that do not respond to the test solutions, for example, steels containing titanium sulfides or chromium sulfides.
1.4 The sulfur print test is a qualitative test. The density of the print image should not be used to assess the sulfur content of a steel. Under carefully controlled conditions, it is possible to compare print image intensities if the images are formed only by manganese sulfides.  
1.5 The sulfur print image will reveal details of the solidification pattern or metal flow from hot or cold working on appropriately chosen and prepared test specimens.
1.6 This practice does not address acceptance criteria based on the use of the method.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 9.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2008
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.01 - Specimen Preparation

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1180-03e1 - Standard Practice for Preparing Sulfur Prints for Macrostructural Examination
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2014-17 - Standard Guide on Metallographic Laboratory Safety
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008

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: E1180 − 08
StandardPractice for
1
Preparing Sulfur Prints for Macrostructural Evaluation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1180; 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.
1. Scope E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
E340 Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
1.1 This practice provides information required to prepare
E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets,
sulfur prints (also referred to as Baumann Prints) of most
Blooms, and Forgings
ferrous alloys to reveal the distribution of sulfide inclusions.
E407 Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
1.2 The sulfur print reveals the distribution of sulfides in
steels with bulk sulfur contents between about 0.010 and 0.40 3. Terminology
weight percent.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
1.3 Certain steels contain complex sulfides that do not
practice, see Terminology E7.
respond to the test solutions, for example, steels containing
4. Summary of Practice
titanium sulfides or chromium sulfides.
4.1 The sulfur print provides a means for macroscopic
1.4 The sulfur print test is a qualitative test. The density of
evaluation of the sulfur distribution in steels and cast irons by
the print image should not be used to assess the sulfur content
contact printing using photographic paper soaked in an aque-
of a steel. Under carefully controlled conditions, it is possible
ous acid solution, for example, sulfuric acid, citric acid, or
to compare print image intensities if the images are formed
acetic acid.
only by manganese sulfides.
4.2 The test specimen is usually a disk or rectangular
1.5 The sulfur print image will reveal details of the solidi-
section, such as used in macroetch evaluations, cut from an
fication pattern or metal flow from hot or cold working on
as-cast or wrought specimen with either a transverse or
appropriately chosen and prepared test specimens.
longitudinal orientation. The specimen is freshly ground
1.6 This practice does not address acceptance criteria based
smooth and cleaned to remove cutting oils, scale, abrasives, or
on the use of the method.
other contaminants. The specimen should be at room tempera-
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ture when sulfur printed.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.3 A sheet of photographic paper with (usually) a matte
standard.
surface finish of appropriate size is soaked in the dilute
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
aqueous acid solution, any excess liquid removed, and the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
emulsion side of the paper is placed on the ground surface of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the specimen. After a suitable time, the paper is removed,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
washed in water, fixed, washed again in water, and dried as flat
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
as possible.
precautionary statements, see Section 9.
4.4 The distribution of sulfur in the specimen is revealed as
2. Referenced Documents a mirror image on the photographic paper as darkly colored
2
areas of silver sulfide embedded in the emulsion.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The sulfur print reveals the distribution of sulfur as
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallog-
sulfide inclusions in the specimen. The sulfur print comple-
raphy and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Specimen
Preparation.
ments macroetch methods by providing an additional proce-
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally
dure for evaluating the homogeneity of a steel product.
ϵ1
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1180 – 03 . DOI:
10.1520/E1180-08.
5.2 Sulfur prints of as-cast specimens generally reveal the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
solidification pattern and may be used to assess the nature of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
deoxidation, that is, rimming action versus killed steel sulfur
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. distributions.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1180 − 08
5.3 Sulfur prints will reveal segregation pat
...

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.
e1
Designation:E1180–03 Designation:E1180–08
Standard Practice for
Preparing Sulfur Prints for Macrostructural
1
ExaminationEvaluation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1180; 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.
1
e NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout in October 2003.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice provides information required to prepare sulfur prints (also referred to as Baumann Prints) of most ferrous
alloys to reveal the distribution of sulfide inclusions.
1.2 The sulfur print reveals the distribution of sulfides in steels with bulk sulfur contents between about 0.010 and 0.40 weight
percent.
1.3 Certain steels contain complex sulfides that do not respond to the test solutions, for example, steels containing titanium
sulfides or chromium sulfides.
1.4 The sulfur print test is a qualitative test. The density of the print image should not be used to assess the sulfur content of
a steel. Under carefully controlled conditions, it is possible to compare print image intensities if the images are formed only by
manganese sulfides.
1.5 The sulfur print image will reveal details of the solidification pattern or metal flow from hot or cold working on
appropriately chosen and prepared test specimens.
1.6 This practice does not address acceptance criteria based on the use of the method.
1.7
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 9.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 3Methods of Preparation of Metallographic Specimens Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E 7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
E 340 Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
E 381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and Forgings
E 407Test Methods Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, see Terminology E 7.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The sulfur print provides a means for macroscopic evaluation of the sulfur distribution in steels and cast irons by contact
printing using photographic paper soaked in an aqueous acid solution, for example, sulfuric acid, citric acid, or acetic acid.
Note1—No longer are there available emulsion coated half weight fiber based papers suitable for sulfur printing. Emulsion coated
single weight fiber base paper is not readily available. Emulsion coated double weight fiber base paper is available, and is
preferable to emulsion coated single weight resin coated paper.
4.2 The test specimen is usually a disk or rectangular section, such as used in macroetch evaluations, cut from an as-cast or
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E04 on Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Selection and Preparation
of Samples. Specimen Preparation.
Current edition approved May 10, 2003.Oct. 1, 2008. Published July 2003.October 2008. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 19982003 as
´1
E1180–94(1998).E 1180 – 03 .
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1180–08
wrought specimen with either a transverse or longitudinal orientation. The specimen is freshly ground smooth and cleaned to
remove cutting oils, scale, abrasives, or other contamineants. The specimen should be at room temperature when sulfur printed.
4.3 Asheet of photographic paper with (usually) a matte surface finish of appropriate size is soaked in the dilute aqueous acid
solution, any excess liquid removed, and the emulsion side of the paper is placed on the ground surface of the
...