ASTM A878/A878M-19

Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Modified Chromium Vanadium Valve Spring Quality

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the highest quality of round modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve spring wires, uniform in quality and temper, intended for the manufacture of valve springs and other springs requiring high-fatigue properties when used at moderately elevated temperatures. This wire shall either be in the annealed and cold-drawn or oil-tempered condition. The steel shall be subjected to continuous casting and be free from detrimental pipe and undue segregation. Heat and product analysis shall conform to the chemical requirements for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, and vanadium. Mechanical properties shall be determined by the following: annealing and cold-drawing, oil tempering, wrap testing, and special surface inspection. In the oil-tempered condition, steel shall conform to the tensile requirements for different wire diameters. Metallurgical characterization shall include surface condition, decarburization, and inclusion content. The wire or wire rod shall conform to the maximum inclusion content requirements for the surface and core zones.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the highest quality of round and shaped modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve spring wire, uniform in quality and temper, intended for the manufacture of valve springs and other springs requiring high-fatigue properties when used at moderately elevated temperatures. It is similar to the grade VD (referenced in EN 10270-2) intended for high fatigue levels. This wire shall be either in the annealed and cold-drawn or quenched and tempered condition as specified by purchaser.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independent of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the 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-Aug-2019
• ICS: 77.140.25 - Spring steels
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.03 - Steel Rod and Wire

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A878/A878M-17 - Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Modified Chromium Vanadium Valve Spring Quality
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM A941-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A370-24 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E45-18a(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A700-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A370-19 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM A370-17a - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A941-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM A370-17 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2017
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-16 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2016
• Refers: ASTM A941-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM A370-15 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-15 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM A700-14 - Standard Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014

Overview

ASTM A878/A878M-19 is the standard specification developed by ASTM International for steel wire, modified chromium vanadium valve spring quality. This specification establishes requirements for high-quality round and shaped modified chromium vanadium alloy steel wires. These wires are designed for the manufacture of valve springs and other springs that require exceptional high-fatigue properties, particularly when used at moderately elevated temperatures.

The standard addresses wire in two main conditions: annealed and cold-drawn, or quenched and tempered, as specified by the purchaser. Uniform quality, precise dimensions, and strict metallurgical controls ensure performance reliability for demanding applications.

Key Topics

• Material Quality & Manufacturing

  • Covers steel produced through methods capable of meeting strict inclusion content requirements.
  • Steel must be continuously cast into blooms and rolled into billets, meeting stringent surface condition and decarburization standards.
  • Finished wires must be free from detrimental pipe, undue segregation, and major imperfections.

• Chemical Composition

  • Specific controlled ranges are required for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, and vanadium to ensure alloy performance.

• Mechanical Properties

  • Tensile strength, reduction of area, and proper temper are specified based on wire diameter and condition (annealed/cold-drawn or quenched/tempered).
  • Requirements for fatigue resistance at elevated temperatures and stringent dimensional tolerances.

• Testing & Inspection

  • Includes tension tests, wrap tests, and surface inspections using eddy current defect analysis and metallurgical analysis for inclusion content, surface finish, and decarburization.
  • Each coil is inspected for surface imperfections; dimensional and metallurgical compliance is rigorously verified.

• Ordering & Certification

  • Strict requirements for purchase orders, including size, condition, packaging, certification, and traceability.

Applications

• Valve Springs

  • Primary application: Manufacture of high-fatigue, high-performance valve springs for internal combustion engines and related mechanisms where durability at moderately elevated temperatures is required.

• Other Mechanical Springs

  • Suitable for any springs that operate in demanding environments requiring consistent fatigue life and resilience, such as in automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery.

• High-Fatigue Environments

  • Ideal wherever spring components are exposed to cyclic loading and heat, thanks to the alloy’s specific chemistry and processing standards that conform to industry-critical fatigue and dimensional requirements.

Related Standards

• ASTM A370
  Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products

• ASTM A700
  Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment

• ASTM A751
  Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products

• ASTM A941
  Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys

• ASTM E8/E8M
  Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

• ASTM E29
  Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data

• ASTM E45
  Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel

• EN 10270-2
  Steel Wire for Mechanical Springs - Oil-Hardened and Tempered Spring Steel Wire (comparable grade referenced in Europe)

• MIL-STD-163, Fed. Std. No. 123
  Standards for preparation, packaging, and marking for shipment and storage (relevant for government and defense supply chains)

---

ASTM A878/A878M-19 is essential for the production and specification of high-performance chromium vanadium valve spring steel wire, ensuring consistent quality and reliability for critical spring applications across multiple industries. By adhering to this standard, manufacturers and users can guarantee product performance that meets global expectations for fatigue life, strength, and material integrity.

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:A878/A878M −19
Standard Specification for
Steel Wire, Modified Chromium Vanadium Valve Spring
Quality
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA878/A878M; 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.
1. Scope* A751Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi-
cal Analysis of Steel Products
1.1 This specification covers the highest quality of round
E8/E8MTest Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
and shaped modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve
terials
spring wire, uniform in quality and temper, intended for the
E29Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
manufacture of valve springs and other springs requiring
Determine Conformance with Specifications
high-fatigue properties when used at moderately elevated
E45Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of
temperatures. It is similar to the grade VD (referenced in EN
Steel
10270-2) intended for high fatigue levels. This wire shall be
either in the annealed and cold-drawn or quenched and 2.2 Federal Standard:
tempered condition as specified by purchaser. Fed. Std. No. 123Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 2.3 European Standard:
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the EN10270-2Steel Wire for Mechanical Springs Part 2: Oil-
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in Hardened and Tempered Spring Steel Wire of Unalloyed
each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system and Alloyed Steels
shall be used independent of the other. Combining values from
the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
3. Terminology
standard.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.1 billet, n—an as-cast or forged section, typically avail-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
able for transport, inspection, and conditioning, that is used as
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
raw material for wire rod manufacture.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.2 bloom, n—an as-cast or forged section used as raw
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
material for billet manufacture.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.3 equivalent round diameter, n—diameter of a round
2. Referenced Documents
wire having equivalent cross sectional area to a given shaped
wire.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A370Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
3.1.4 round wire, n—wire having a circular cross section.
of Steel Products
3.1.5 shape factor, n—avalueusedtoobtaincrosssectional
A700Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods
area for shaped wires when multiplied by measured width and
for Steel Products for Shipment
measured thickness.
A941TerminologyRelatingtoSteel,StainlessSteel,Related
3.1.6 shaped wire, n—wire having a non-circular cross
Alloys, and Ferroalloys
section.
3.2 Refer to Terminology A941 for additional definitions of
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
terms used in this standard.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloysand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.03 on Steel Rod and Wire.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as A878/A878M–17.
DOI: 10.1520/A0878_A0878M-19. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, https://
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM quicksearch.dla.mil.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from European Committee for Standardization, CEN-CENELEC
the ASTM website. Management Centre, Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.
*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
A878/A878M−19
4. Ordering Information 6. Chemical Composition
4.1 Ordersformaterialunderthisspecificationshallinclude 6.1 Thesteelshallconformtotherequirementsforchemical
the following information for each ordered item: composition specified in Table 2.
4.1.1 Quantity (mass),
6.2 Heat Analysis—Each heat of steel shall be analyzed to
4.1.2 Name of material (modified chromium vanadium
determine the percentage of elements prescribed in Table 2.
alloy steel valve spring quality wire),
This analysis shall be made from a test specimen preferably
4.1.3 Dimensions (Table 1 and Section 9),
takenduringthepouringoftheheat.Whenrequested,thisshall
4.1.4 Condition (Section 7), and
be reported to the purchaser and shall conform to the require-
4.1.5 ASTM designation and year of issue.
ments of Table 2.
NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 20 000-kg
6.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the
quenched and tempered modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve
purchaser from finished wire representing each heat of steel.
spring quality wire, size 6.00 mm in 150-kg coils to ASTM ___ dated
The average of all the separate determinations made shall be
___, or for inch-pound, 40 000-lb quenched and tempered modified
within the limits specified in the analysis column. Individual
chromiumvanadiumalloysteelvalvespringqualitywire,size0.250in.in
350-lb coils to ASTM___ dated ___.
determinations may vary to the extent shown in the product
analysis tolerance column, except that the several determina-
4.2 Thepurchasershallhavetheoptiontospecifyadditional
tions of a single element in any one heat shall not vary both
requirements, including but not limited to:
above and below the specified range.
4.2.1 Requirements for certifications, heat analysis or test
reports (Subsection 6.2 and Section 14),
6.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and
4.2.2 Special packing, marking, and loading requirements
Terminology A751 shall be used.
(Section 15), and
4.2.3 Other special requirements, if any. 7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Tension Test:
5. Materials and Manufacture
7.1.1 Requirements for Annealed and Cold-drawn Wires—
5.1 The steel shall be made by a steel making process Tension test requirements, if any, shall be stated on the
combined with secondary ladle refining that is capable of
purchase order.
satisfying the inclusion content requirements of this specifica-
7.1.2 Requirements for Quenched and Tempered Wires—
tion.
The material as represented by tension test specimens shall
conform to the requirements in Table 3. Variation in tensile
5.2 The steel shall be continuously cast into blooms and
strength within a coil shall not exceed 70 MPa [10.15 ksi].
rolled into billets.
7.1.3 Number of Tests—For quenched and tempered wires,
5.3 Billet conditioning shall precede wire rod manufacture.
each coil in a lot shall be tested. When specified for annealed
The resulting wire rods shall be of sufficient surface quality
and cold-drawn wires, one test specimen shall be taken for
that when combined with a surface removal operation per-
eachfivecoils,orfractionthereof,inalot.Eachheatinagiven
formed prior to or during the wire manufacturing operation the
lot shall be tested.
resulting wire shall satisfy the surface condition and decarbur-
7.1.4 Location of Tests—For quenched and tempered wires,
ization requirements of this specification.
test specimens shall be taken from both ends of the coil. For
5.4 The finished wire shall be free from detrimental pipe annealed and cold-drawn wires, test specimens shall be taken
and undue segregation. from either end of the coil.
7.1.5 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in
5.5 Alternate manufacturing processes may be used upon
accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370. Any
agreement between purchaser and supplier.
tensile test specimen breaking in the tensile grips shall be
discarded and a new specimen tested if the specified mechani-
cal properties are not achieved. For shaped wires, cross
A
TABLE 1 Permissible Variations in Wire Diameter
sectional area shall be calculated either using the procedure in
SI Units
Test Methods E8/E8M for uniform but nonsymmetrical cross-
Permissible Permissible
sections, or measuring width and thickness and multiplying by
Diameter, mm Variations, Out-of Round,
a shape factor. Reduction of area for shaped wires shall be
±mm mm
0.5 to 2.0, incl 0.02 0.02
Over 2.0 to 4.0, incl 0.03 0.03
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
Over 4.0 to 9.5, incl 0.04 0.04
Inch-Pound Units
Product Analysis
Analysis, %
Permissible Permissible Tolerance, %
Diameter, in. Variations, Out-of Round,
Carbon 0.60–0.75 ±0.02
±in. in.
Manganese 0.50–0.90 ±0.03
0.020 to 0.075, incl 0.0008 0.0008
Phosphorus 0.025 max +0.005
Over 0.075 to 0.148, incl 0.001 0.001
Sulfur 0.025 max +0.005
Over 0.148 to 0.375, incl 0.0015 0.0015
Silicon 0.15–0.30 ±0.02
A
Permissible variation in wire diameter and out-of-round limits specified are Chromium 0.35–0.60 ±0.05
Vanadium 0.10–0.25 ±0.01
absolute limits as defined in Practice E29.
A878/A878M−19
A
TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements
8. Metallurgical Requirements
SI Units
8.1 Surface Condition:
Min %
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction of 8.1.1 The surface of the wire as received shall be free of
B
Area
imperfections such as pits, die marks, scratches, seams, and
0.5 2000 2170 . . .
other defects tending to impair the fatigue value of the springs.
1.0 1930 2100 . . .
8.1.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken
1.5 1830 2000 . . .
2.0 1760 1900 . . .
from each end of every coil.
3.0 1660 1800 45
8.1.3 Test Method—The surface shall be examined after
3.75 1620 1760 40
4.5 1590 1730 40 etching in a solution of equal parts of hydrochloric acid and
5.0 1550 1690 40
water that has been heated to approximately 80°C for up to 2
5.7 1520 1660 40
min in order to remove the oxide scale layer from the wire
6.3 1480 1620 40
7.9 1450 1590 40 surface. Test ends shall be examined using 10× magnification.
9.5 1410 1550 40
Inch-Pound Units 8.2 Decarburization:
Min %
8.2.1 Transverse sections of the wire properly mounted,
Diameter, in. ksi, min ksi, max Reduction of
B
polished, and etched shall show no completely decarburized
Area
0.020 290 315 . . .
(carbon-free) areas when examined at a magnification of 100
0.040 280 305 . . .
diameters. Partial decarburization shall not exceed a depth of
0.060 265 290 . . .
0.025 mm [0.001 in.] on wire 5.00 mm [0.192 in.] and smaller,
0.080 255 275 . . .
0.120 240 260 45
or 0.038 mm [0.0015 in.] on larger than 5.00 mm [0.192 in.].
0.148 235 255 40
For shaped wires, equiva
...

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: A878/A878M − 17 A878/A878M − 19
Standard Specification for
Steel Wire, Modified Chromium Vanadium Valve Spring
Quality
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A878/A878M; 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*
1.1 This specification covers the highest quality of round and shaped modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve spring
wire, uniform in quality and temper, intended for the manufacture of valve springs and other springs requiring high-fatigue
properties when used at moderately elevated temperatures. It is similar to the grade VD (referenced in EN 10270-2) intended for
high fatigue levels. This wire shall be either in the annealed and cold-drawn or oil-tempered quenched and tempered condition as
specified by purchaser.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall
be used independent of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
A700 Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment
A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
2.2 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
2.3 Military Standard:
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Shipment and Storage
2.3 European Standard:
EN10270-2 Steel Wire for Mechanical Springs Part 2: Oil-Hardened and Tempered Spring Steel Wire of Unalloyed and Alloyed
Steels
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this specification, refer to Terminology A941.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloysand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.03
on Steel Rod and Wire.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2019. Published September 2017September 2019. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20112017
as A878/A878M – 05 (2011).A878/A878M – 17. DOI: 10.1520/A0878_A0878M-17. 10.1520/A0878_A0878M-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-509819111-5094, https://
quicksearch.dla.mil.
Available from European Committee for Standardization, CEN-CENELEC Management Centre, Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.
*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
A878/A878M − 19
3.1.1 billet, n—an as-cast or forged section, typically available for transport, inspection, and conditioning, that is used as raw
material for wire rod manufacture.
3.1.2 bloom, n—an as-cast or forged section used as raw material for billet manufacture.
3.1.3 equivalent round diameter, n—diameter of a round wire having equivalent cross sectional area to a given shaped wire.
3.1.4 round wire, n—wire having a circular cross section.
3.1.5 shape factor, n— a value used to obtain cross sectional area for shaped wires when multiplied by measured width and
measured thickness.
3.1.6 shaped wire, n—wire having a non-circular cross section.
3.2 Refer to Terminology A941 for additional definitions of terms used in this standard.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include the following information for each ordered item:
4.1.1 Quantity (mass),
4.1.2 Name of material (modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve spring quality wire),
4.1.3 Dimensions (Table 1 and Section 9),
4.1.4 Condition (Section 7), and
4.1.5 Packaging (Section 15),
4.1.6 Heat analysis report, if requested (6.2),
4.1.7 Certification or test report, or both, if specified (Section 14), and
4.1.5 ASTM designation and year of issue.
NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 20 000-kg oil-tempered quenched and tempered modified chromium vanadium alloy steel valve
spring quality wire, size 6.00 mm in 150-kg coils to ASTM ___ dated ___ , or for inch-pound, 40 000-lb oil-tempered quenched and tempered modified
chromium vanadium alloy steel valve spring quality wire, size 0.250 in. in 350-lb coils to ASTM ___ dated ___ .
4.2 The purchaser shall have the option to specify additional requirements, including but not limited to:
4.2.1 Requirements for certifications, heat analysis or test reports (Subsection 6.2 and Section 14),
4.2.2 Special packing, marking, and loading requirements (Section 15), and
4.2.3 Other special requirements, if any.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 The steel shall be made by a steel making process combined with secondary ladle refining that is capable of satisfying the
inclusion content requirements of this specification.
5.2 The steel shall be continuously cast into blooms and rolled into billets.
5.3 Billet conditioning shall precede wire rod manufacture. The resulting wire rods shall be of sufficient surface quality that
when combined with a surface removal operation performed prior to or during the wire manufacturing operation the resulting wire
shall satisfy the surface condition and decarburization requirements of this specification.
5.4 The finished wire shall be free from detrimental pipe and undue segregation.
A
TABLE 1 Permissible Variations in Wire Diameter
SI Units
Permissible Permissible
Diameter, mm Variations, Out-of Round,
±mm mm
0.5 to 2.0, incl 0.02 0.02
Over 2.0 to 4.0, incl 0.03 0.03
Over 4.0 to 9.5, incl 0.04 0.04
Inch-Pound Units
Permissible Permissible
Diameter, in. Variations, Out-of Round,
±in. in.
0.020 to 0.075, incl 0.0008 0.0008
Over 0.075 to 0.148, incl 0.001 0.001
Over 0.148 to 0.375, incl 0.0015 0.0015
A
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified
limits are absolute Permissible variation in wire diameter and out-of-round limits
specified are absolute limits as defined in Recommended Practice E29.
A878/A878M − 19
5.5 Alternate manufacturing processes may be used upon agreement between purchaser and supplier provided that the minimum
requirements of this standard are met.supplier.
6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical composition specified in Table 2.
6.2 Heat Analysis—Each heat of steel shall be analyzed by the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements prescribed
in Table 2. This analysis shall be made from a test specimen preferably taken during the pouring of the heat. When requested, this
shall be reported to the purchaser and shall conform to the requirements of Table 2.
6.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the purchaser from finished wire representing each heat of steel. The
average of all the separate determinations made shall be within the limits specified in the analysis column. Individual
determinations may vary to the extent shown in the product analysis tolerance column, except that the several determinations of
a single element in any one heat shall not vary both above and below the specified range.
6.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A751 shall be used.
7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Tension Test:
7.1.1 Requirements for Annealed and Cold Drawn Cold-drawn Wires—Tension test requirements, if any, shall be stated on the
purchase order.
7.1.2 Requirements for Oil-tempered Quenched and Tempered Wires—The material as represented by tension test specimens
shall conform to the requirements in Table 3. Variation in tensile strength within a coil shall not exceed 70 MpaMPa [10.15 ksi].
7.1.3 Number of Tests—For oil-tempered quenched and tempered wires, each coil in a lot shall be tested. When specified for
annealed and cold drawn cold-drawn wires, one test specimen shall be taken for each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each
heat in a given lot shall be tested.
7.1.4 Location of Tests—For oil-tempered quenched and tempered wires, test specimens shall be taken from both ends of the
coil. For annealed and cold drawn cold-drawn wires, test specimens shall be taken from either end of the coil.
7.1.5 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370. Any tensile test
specimen breaking in the tensile grips shall be discarded and a new specimen tested if the specified mechanical properties are not
achieved. For shaped wires, cross sectional area shall be calculated either using the procedure in Test Methods E8/E8M for uniform
but nonsymmetrical cross-sections, or measuring width and thickness and multiplying by a shape factor. Reduction of area for
shaped wires shall be calculated by using this shape factor. Measure the maximum and minimum dimension on the necked down
section and multiply by the shape factor to estimate the cross sectional area for use in the standard reduction of area calculation.
7.1.5.1 Upon agreement between purchaser and supplier, the shape factor for the design provided by the wire mill shall be
permissible to be adopted for use. In other situations if the shape factor is not available from the wire mill, the shape factor shall
be calculated by measuring the cross sectional area in accordance with Test Methods E8/E8M and dividing by the width and
thickness.
7.2 Wrap Test:
7.2.1 Oil-tempered or Quenched and tempered or annealed and cold-drawn wire 4.00 mm [0.162 in.] and smaller in diameter
shall wind on itself as an arbor without breakage. Larger diameter wire up to and including 8.00 mm [0.312[0.315 in.] in diameter
shall wrap without breakage on a mandrel twice the wire diameter. The wrap test is not applicable to wire over 8.00 mm
[0.312[0.315 in.] in diameter. For shaped wires, mandrel size shall be selected based on the equivalent round wire diameter.
7.2.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each heat in a given
lot shall be tested.
7.2.3 Location of Tests—It shall be permissible to take test specimens from either end of the coil.
7.2.4 Test Method—The wrap test shall be made in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370.
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
Product Analysis
Analysis, %
Tolerance, %
Carbon 0.60–0.75 ±0.02
Manganese 0.50–0.90 ±0.03
Phosphorus 0.025 max +0.005
Sulfur 0.025 max +0.005
Silicon 0.15–0.30 ±0.02
Chromium 0.35–0.60 ±0.05
Vanadium 0.10–0.25 ±0.01
A878/A878M − 19
A
TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements
SI Units
Min %
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction of
B
Area
0.5 2000 2170 . . .
1.0 1930 2100 . .
...