ASTM B439-21

Standard Specification for Iron-Base Powder Metallurgy (PM) Bearings (Oil-Impregnated)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard requirements for porous metallic sleeve, flange, thrust, and spherical iron-base bearings that are produced from mixed metal powder metallurgy technology and then impregnated with oil to supply operating lubrication. Porous iron-base bearings shall be produced by compaction of a mixture of elemental iron powder and copper, tin, pre-alloyed bronze or graphite powders and sintering in a furnace having a protective atmosphere at a specified time and temperature cycle. The interconnected or open porosity in the bearings shall be filled to the required volume either by an extended soaking in hot oil or preferably by a vacuum impregnation operation with lubricating oil which is a high-grade turbine oil with antifoaming additives and containing corrosion and oxidation inhibitors. Each of the iron-base bearing material shall conform to the chemical composition requirements for iron, carbon, graphite, copper, and tin as shall be determined by chemical analysis. The physical properties for each of the bearing material shall be within the prescribed wet density, oil content, and impregnation efficiency limits. The radial crushing strength and bearing breaking load of the oil-impregnated bearing material determined on a plain sleeve bearing or a test specimen prepared from a flange or spherical bearing shall also meet the minimum and maximum mechanical strength values.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for porous iron-base metallic sleeve, flange, thrust, and spherical bearings that are produced from metal powders utilizing powder metallurgy (PM) technology and then impregnated with oil to supply operating lubrication.  
1.2 Listed are the chemical, physical, and mechanical specifications for those standardized ferrous PM materials that have been developed specifically for the manufacture of self-lubricating bearings.  
1.3 This specification is a companion to Specification B438 that covers the requirements for porous oil-impregnated bronze-base bearings.  
1.4 Typical applications for self-lubricating iron-base PM bearings are discussed in Appendix X1.  
1.5 Commercial bearing dimensional tolerance data are shown in Appendix X2, while engineering information regarding installation and operating parameters of PM bearings is included in Appendix X3. Additional useful information on self-lubricating bearings can be found in MPIF Standard 35 (Bearings), ISO 5755, and the technical literature.2  
1.6 Units—With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram per cubic centimetre (g/cm3) and gram (g) units is the long-standing practice of the PM industry, the values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not to be regarded as standard.  
1.7 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods described in this specification. 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 limitations prior to use.  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2021
• ICS: 21.100.10 - Plain bearings
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.04 - Bearings

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: B439 − 21
Standard Specification for
Iron-Base Powder Metallurgy (PM) Bearings (Oil-
1
Impregnated)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B439; 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* associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environ-
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for porous
mental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
iron-base metallic sleeve, flange, thrust, and spherical bearings
limitations prior to use.
that are produced from metal powders utilizing powder metal-
lurgy (PM) technology and then impregnated with oil to supply 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
operating lubrication.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 Listed are the chemical, physical, and mechanical speci-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
fications for those standardized ferrous PM materials that have
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
been developed specifically for the manufacture of self-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
lubricating bearings.
1.3 This specification is a companion to Specification B438
2. Referenced Documents
that covers the requirements for porous oil-impregnated
3
bronze-base bearings.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
1.4 Typical applications for self-lubricating iron-base PM
B438 Specification for Bronze-Base Powder Metallurgy
bearings are discussed in Appendix X1.
(PM) Bearings (Oil-Impregnated)
1.5 Commercial bearing dimensional tolerance data are
B939 Test Method for Radial Crushing Strength, K, of
shown in Appendix X2, while engineering information regard-
Powder Metallurgy (PM) Bearings and Structural Materi-
ing installation and operating parameters of PM bearings is
als
included in Appendix X3. Additional useful information on
B962 Test Methods for Density of Compacted or Sintered
self-lubricating bearings can be found in MPIF Standard 35
2
Powder Metallurgy (PM) Products Using Archimedes’
(Bearings), ISO 5755, and the technical literature.
Principle
1.6 Units—With the exception of the values for density and
B963 Test Methods for Oil Content, Oil-Impregnation
the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the
Efficiency, and Surface-Connected Porosity of Sintered
3
gram per cubic centimetre (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the
Powder Metallurgy (PM) Products Using Archimedes’
long-standing practice of the PM industry, the values stated in
Principle
inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values
E9 Test Methods of Compression Testing of Metallic Mate-
given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units
rials at Room Temperature
that are provided for information only and are not to be
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
regarded as standard.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.7 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur,
test methods described in this specification. This standard does
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
Alloys by Various Combustion and Inert Gas Fusion
Techniques
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee B09.04 on Bearings.
3
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Replaces portions For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of B612 and B782. Originally approved in 1966 to replace portions of B202. Last contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
previous edition approved in 2018 as B439 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/B0439-21. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
Machine Design Magazine, Vol 54, No. 14, June 17, 1982, pp. 130–142. the ASTM website.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ------------------
...

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: B439 − 18 B439 − 21
Standard Specification for
Iron-Base Powder Metallurgy (PM) Bearings (Oil-
1
Impregnated)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B439; 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*
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for porous iron-base metallic sleeve, flange, thrust, and spherical bearings that are
produced from metal powders utilizing powder metallurgy (PM) technology and then impregnated with oil to supply operating
lubrication.
1.2 Listed are the chemical, physical, and mechanical specifications for those standardized ferrous PM materials that have been
developed specifically for the manufacture of self-lubricating bearings.
1.3 This standardspecification is a companion to Specification B438 that covers the requirements for porous oil-impregnated
bronze-base bearings.
1.4 Typical applications for self-lubricating iron-base PM bearings are discussed in Appendix X1.
1.5 Commercial bearing dimensional tolerance data are shown in Appendix X2, while engineering information regarding
installation and operating parameters of PM bearings is included in Appendix X3. Additional useful information on self-lubricating
2
bearings can be found in MPIF Standard 35 (Bearings), ISO 5755, and the technical literature.
1.6 Units—With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the g/cmgram
3
per cubic centimetre (g/cm unit ) and gram (g) units is the long-standing practice of the PM industry, the values stated in
inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are
provided for information only and are not to be regarded as standardstandard.
1.7 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods described in this specification. 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 limitations prior
to use.
1.8 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.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B09.04 on Bearings.
Current edition approved April 1, 2018April 1, 2021. Published May 2018May 2021. Replaces portions of B612 and B782. Originally approved in 1966 to replace portions
of B202. Last previous edition approved in 20122018 as B439 – 12.B439 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/B0439-18.10.1520/B0439-21.
2
Machine Design Magazine, Vol 54, No. 14, June 17, 1982, pp. 130–142.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B439 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
B438 Specification for Bronze-Base Powder Metallurgy (PM) Bearings (Oil-Impregnated)
B939 Test Method for Radial Crushing Strength, K, of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Bearings and Structural Materials
B962 Test Methods for Density of Compacted or Sintered Powder Metallurgy (PM) Products Using Archimedes’ Principle
B963 Test Methods for Oil Content, Oil-Impregnation Efficiency, and Surface-Connected Porosity of Sintered Powder
Metallurgy (PM) Products Using Archimedes’ Principle
E9 Test Methods of Compression Testing of Metallic Materials at Room Temperature
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys by
Various Combustion and Inert Gas Fusion Techniques
4
2.2 MPIF Standard:
MPIF Standard 35 Mate
...