ASTM E381-01(2006)
(Test Method)Standard Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and Forgings
Standard Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and Forgings
SCOPE
1.1 Macroetching, which is the etching of specimens for macrostructural examination at low magnifications, is a frequently used technique for evaluating steel products such as bars, billets, blooms, and forgings.
1.2 Included in this method is a procedure for rating steel specimens by a graded series of photographs showing the incidence of certain conditions. The method is limited in application to bars, billets, blooms, and forgings of carbon and low alloy steels.
1.3 A number of different etching reagents may be used depending upon the type of examination to be made. Steels react differently to etching reagents because of variations in chemical composition, method of manufacture, heat treatment and many other variables. Establishment of general standards for acceptance or rejection for all conditions is impractical as some conditions must be considered relative to the part in which it occurs.
1.4 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. See the specific precautionary statement in 5.3.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: E381 − 01(Reapproved 2006)
Standard Method of
Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and
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Forgings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E381; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
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Photographs for Rating Macroetched Steel (3 plates)
1.1 Macroetching, which is the etching of specimens for
macrostructural examination at low magnifications, is a fre-
3. Terminology
quently used technique for evaluating steel products such as
bars, billets, blooms, and forgings. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
method, see Terminology E7.
1.2 Included in this method is a procedure for rating steel
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
specimens by a graded series of photographs showing the
incidence of certain conditions. The method is limited in 3.2.1 Terminology Applicable Only to Ingot Cast Product:
3.2.1.1 splash—a nonuniform etch pattern where
application to bars, billets, blooms, and forgings of carbon and
low alloy steels. irregularly-shaped areas exhibit a different etch contrast than
surrounding areas. Splash is normally associated with molten
1.3 A number of different etching reagents may be used
steel which solidifies and oxidizes during initial pouring and
depending upon the type of examination to be made. Steels
which is not completely redissolved by the remaining molten
react differently to etching reagents because of variations in
steel.
chemical composition, method of manufacture, heat treatment
3.2.1.2 butt tears—subsurface cracks normally parallel to
and many other variables. Establishment of general standards
the surface of the ingot mold wall.
for acceptance or rejection for all conditions is impractical as
3.2.1.3 flute cracks—cracks perpendicular to the surface of
some conditions must be considered relative to the part in
the ingot mold wall which may, or may not, extend to the
which it occurs.
surface of the product.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1.4 burst—a single or multi-rayed crack normally lo-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
cated at the center of the wrought product.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.2 Definitions Applicable Only to Continuously Cast
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Products:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See the specific
3.2.2.1 chill zone—rapidlycooledmetalwithafinestructure
precautionary statement in 5.3.
at the surface of the product which is normally continuous
around that surface.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.2.2 chill zone crack—any crack which is located par-
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
tially or completely in the chill zone and may extend to the
E7Terminology Relating to Metallography
surface of the product.
E340Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
3.2.2.3 diagonal crack—a crack which lies completely or
E1180Practice for Preparing Sulfur Prints for Macrostruc-
partially in the diagonal regions of a non-round product where
tural Evaluation
adjacent columnar or dendritic growth patterns intersect.
3.2.2.4 subsurface crack—a crack perpendicular to and just
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This method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallog-
beneath the chill zone.
raphy and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Specimen
3.2.2.5 mid-radius crack—a crack perpendicular to the sur-
Preparation.
faceoftheproductlocatedapproximatelyhalfwaybetweenthe
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published October 2006. Originally
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E381–01. DOI: surface and center of the product.
10.1520/E0381-01R06.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order Adjunct: ADJE038101 (Plate I),
the ASTM website. ADJE038102 (Plate II), and ADJE038103 (Plate III).
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E381 − 01 (2006)
3.2.2.6 center crack—a crack with an aspect ratio (length/ internal (shrinkage) forces result in the separation of crystal-
width) of approximately 3 or greater located at, or near, the lites so as to permit solute rich liquid to refill the gap as it
cente
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