ASTM A99-03(2019)

Standard Specification for Ferromanganese

ABSTRACT
This specification covers standards for ferromanganese (Grades A, B, and C), medium-carbon ferromanganese (Grades A, B, C, D, and nitrided) and low-carbon ferromanganese (Grades A and B). The ferroalloys shall conform to manganese, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen contents specific to different material grades. Materials shall also adhere to content limits of arsenic, tin, lead and chromium. The material shall be available in standard sizes, tolerances, and friability ratings.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers ten grades of ferromanganese, designated as follows:    
Standard ferromanganese  
Grade A  
Grade B  
Grade C    
Medium-carbon ferromanganese  
Grades A, B, C, and D    
Nitrided    
Low-carbon ferromanganese  
Grade A  
Grade B  
1.2 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 considered standard.  
1.3 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-Oct-2019
• ICS: 77.100 - Ferroalloys
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.18 - Castings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A99-03(2014) - Standard Specification for Ferromanganese
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10(2015) - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Alloying Materials, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10 - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM E11-04 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM E11-01 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM E11-95 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10(2020) - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Alloying Materials, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019

Overview

ASTM A99-03(2019) - Standard Specification for Ferromanganese establishes comprehensive requirements for the manufacture and supply of ferromanganese, a critical ferroalloy widely used in steel production and metallurgy. The standard defines chemical composition, material grades, sizing, tolerances, and supplementary element limits to ensure consistent product quality for industrial applications. Developed by ASTM International in accordance with the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee principles, this standard supports global trade and interoperability in ferromanganese materials.

Key Topics

• Material Grades: Covers ten grades of ferromanganese, including:

  • Standard ferromanganese (Grades A, B, C)
  • Medium-carbon ferromanganese (Grades A, B, C, D)
  • Medium-carbon nitrided ferromanganese
  • Low-carbon ferromanganese (Grades A, B)

• Chemical Composition: Specified maximum and minimum limits for key elements:

  • Manganese
  • Carbon
  • Silicon
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulfur
  • Nitrogen (mandatory for nitrided grades)
  • Additional limits on arsenic, tin, lead, and chromium (by purchaser request)

• Sizing and Friability:

  • Ferromanganese supplied in standardized sizes and associated friability ratings.
  • Tolerances defined for lump, granulated, and mesh sizes.
  • Sizing measured according to ASTM E11 sieve specifications.

• General Conditions for Delivery:

  • All supplied products must comply with ASTM A1025/A1025M general requirements and any supplementary customer requirements.

• Documentation and Testing:

  • Requires chemical analysis report for each shipment to outline elemental composition.
  • Supplementary chemical requirements applied when specified in purchase contracts.

Applications

Ferromanganese produced under ASTM A99-03(2019) is vital in the steel manufacturing industry and other metallurgical processes. Its principal uses include:

• Steel Deoxidation and Desulfurization: Ferromanganese serves as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer during steelmaking, improving the strength, ductility, and workability of steel.
• Alloy Additive: Adds manganese to iron and steel alloys, enhancing wear resistance and hardness.
• Foundry Uses: Used in casting applications to control sulfur and phosphorus content.
• Weld Rod and Electrode Manufacturing: Ensures proper slag formation and arc stability.

The standard’s clear definitions of composition and sizing optimize ferromanganese's performance characteristics, facilitate efficient procurement, and assure product compatibility across international markets.

Related Standards

• ASTM A1025/A1025M: General Requirements for Ferroalloys and Other Alloying Materials - references conditions for delivery and supplementary requirements applicable to ferromanganese.
• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves - dictates methods for size classification and tolerances.
• ISO Standards on Ferroalloys: International equivalents and guides for global interoperability in alloy specification.
• Other ASTM Ferrous Alloy Specifications: Addressing product requirements for related steelmaking and casting alloys.

Practical Value

Adhering to ASTM A99-03(2019) ensures that manufacturers, suppliers, and end users receive ferromanganese products with consistent quality, meeting precise chemical and physical requirements. The standard supports transparent procurement, reduces material variability, and minimizes risks related to non-conformance in demanding metallurgical applications. By referencing globally recognized norms, it also facilitates international trade and regulatory compliance in the ferroalloy sector.

Keywords: ASTM A99, ferromanganese, ferroalloy standards, steel production, alloying elements, chemical composition, material grades, friability, metallurgical applications.

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: A99 −03 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
Ferromanganese
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA99; 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.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
1.1 This specification covers ten grades of ferromanganese,
designated as follows:
3. General Conditions for Delivery
Standard ferromanganese Grade A
3.1 Materials furnished to this specification shall conform to
Grade B
Grade C the requirements of Specification A1025/A1025M, including
Medium-carbon ferromanganese Grades A, B, C, and D
any supplementary requirements that are indicated in the
Nitrided
purchase order. Failure to comply with the general require-
Low-carbon ferromanganese Grade A
Grade B ments of Specification A1025/A1025M constitutes nonconfor-
mance with this specification. In case of conflict between the
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
requirements of this specification and Specification A1025/
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
A1025M, this specification shall prevail.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
4. Chemical Composition
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 The material shall conform to the requirements as to
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
chemical composition specified in Table 1.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.2 The manufacturer shall furnish an analysis of each
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical shipment showing the percentage of each element specified.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Size
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The various grades are available in sizes as listed in
2.1 ASTM Standards: Table 2.
A1025/A1025M Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Al-
5.2 The sizes and friability ratings listed in Table 2 are
loying Materials, General Requirements
typical as shipped from the manufacturer’s plant. These alloys
exhibit varying degrees of friability; therefore, some attrition
may be expected in transit, storage, and handling. A code
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
system has been developed. Therefore, for this purpose, a
A01.18 on Castings.
number rating for each product type is shown in the last
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally
column of Table 2. Definitions applicable to these code
approved in 1925. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as A99 – 03 (2014). DOI:
10.1520/A0099-03R19.
numbers are given in Specification A1025/A1025M.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6. Keywords
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.1 ferroalloy; ferromanganese
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A99 − 03 (2019)
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Nitrided
Low-Carbon
Standard Ferromanganese Medium-Carbon Ferromanganese Medium-
Ferromanganese
Carbon
Ferroman-
Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D Grade A Grade B
ganese
A
Manganese, % 78.0 to 82.0 76.0 to 78.0 74.0 to 76.0 80.0 to 85.0 80.0 to 85.0 80.0 to 85.0 80.0 to 85.0 75 to 80 85.0 to 90.0 80.0 to 85.0
A
Carbon, max, % 7.5 7.5 7.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 As specified 0.75
A
Silicon, max, % 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.0 0.70 0.35 1.5 2.0 5.0 to 7.0
Phosphorus, max, % 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.30 0.30 0.3
...