ASTM A48/A48M-03(2012)

Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings

ABSTRACT
This specification covers gray iron castings intended for general engineering use where tensile strength is a major consideration. Castings are classified on the basis of the tensile strength of the iron in separately cast test bars. The surface of the casting shall be free of adhering sand, scale, cracks, and hot tears, as determined by visual examination. The test bars are designated into S, A, B, and C categories, according to the thickness of its controlling wall section. The casting shall be subjected to a tension test to determine its tensile strength.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers gray iron castings intended for general engineering use where tensile strength is a major consideration. Castings are classified on the basis of the tensile strength of the iron in separately cast test bars.  
1.1.1 This specification subordinates chemical composition to tensile strength.  
1.2 Castings produced to this specification are graded on the basis of minimum tensile strength obtained in special test coupons designed to standardize cooling rate. The tensile strength developed in certain casting sections may vary from test coupon values (see X1.2).  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2012
• ICS: 77.140.80 - Iron and steel castings
• Technical Committee: A04 - Iron Castings
• Drafting Committee: A04.01 - Grey and White Iron Castings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A48/A48M-03(2008) - Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A1056-20 - Standard Specification for Cast Iron Couplings Used for Joining Hubless Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A1109-22 - Standard Specification for Special Fittings for Single-Stack Hubless Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings for Sanitary, Waste, and Vent Piping Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A834-95(2020) - Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Iron Castings for General Industrial Use
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C660-81(2020) - Standard Practices for Production and Preparation of Gray Iron Castings for Porcelain Enameling
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1806-23 - Standard Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determination of Chemical Composition
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A126-04(2019) - Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Pipe Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F1548-01(2023) - Standard Specification for Performance of Fittings for Use with Gasketed Mechanical Couplings Used in Piping Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E784-89(2022) - Standard Specification for Clamps, Utility, Laboratory, and Holders, Buret and Clamp
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A1111-22 - Standard Specification for Cast Iron Closet Flanges for Use with Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings in Gravity Flow Plumbing Drain, Waste, and Vent Sanitary Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A74-21 - Standard Specification for Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1572/C1572M-23 - Standard Guide for Dry Lead Glass and Oil-Filled Lead Glass Radiation Shielding Window Components for Remotely Operated Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A942/A942M-95(2022) - Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast White Iron/Gray Iron Dual Metal Abrasion-Resistant Roll Shells
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F1510-21 - Standard Specification for Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps, Ships Use
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A319-71(2020) - Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Elevated Temperatures for Non-Pressure-Containing Parts
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012

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:A48/A48M −03(Reapproved 2012)
Standard Specification for
Gray Iron Castings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A48/A48M; 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.
This specification replaces Federal Specification QQ-I-652.
1. Scope 3.1.1 Definitions for many terms common to gray iron
castings are found in Terminology A644.
1.1 This specification covers gray iron castings intended for
general engineering use where tensile strength is a major
4. Classification
consideration. Castings are classified on the basis of the tensile
4.1 Castings ordered and produced in accordance with this
strength of the iron in separately cast test bars.
specificationareclassifiedintoanumberofgradesbasedonthe
1.1.1 This specification subordinates chemical composition
properties of separately cast test bars (Table 1, Table 2). Each
to tensile strength.
class is designated by a number followed by a letter. The
1.2 Castings produced to this specification are graded on the
number indicates the minimum tensile strength of the sepa-
basis of minimum tensile strength obtained in special test
rately cast test bar, and the letter indicates the size of the test
coupons designed to standardize cooling rate. The tensile
bar. Examples of proper designations are as follows:
strength developed in certain casting sections may vary from
Gray Iron Castings, ASTM Specification A48, Class 30B.
test coupon values (see X1.2).
Gray Iron Castings, ASTM Specification A48, Class 40C.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
5. Ordering Information
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
5.1 Orders for material to this specification shall include the
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
following information:
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
5.1.1 ASTM designation number and year of issue,
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
5.1.2 Class of iron required (see 4.1, Table 1, and Table 2),
with the standard.
5.1.3 The size of the separately cast test bar (letter
classification—A, B, C, or S) that best represents the thickness
2. Referenced Documents
of the controlling section of the casting (see Table 3),
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1.4 The tension test specimen (B or C) to be machined
A644 Terminology Relating to Iron Castings
from test bar C (see 13.3, Table 4, and Fig. 1),
E8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
5.1.5 The tension test specimen to be machined from test
2.2 Military Standard:
bar S (see 13.4, Table 4, and Fig. 1),
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
5.1.6 Lot size (see Section 10),
5.1.7 Special requirements (see Section 6),
2.3 Federal Standard:
5.1.8 Saving tested specimens or unbroken test bars (see
Federal Standard No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil
15.1), and
Agencies)
5.1.9 Special preparation for delivery (see Section 19).
3. Terminology
6. Special Requirements
3.1 Definitions:
6.1 When agreed upon in writing between the manufacturer
and the purchaser, it may be necessary for the castings to meet
special requirements as to hardness, chemical composition,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A04 on Iron
microstructure, pressure tightness, radiographic soundness,
CastingsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeA04.01onGreyandWhite
dimensions, surface finish, and so forth.
Iron Castings.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally
7. Tensile Requirements
approved in 1905. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as A48/A48M – 03
(2008). DOI: 10.1520/A0048_A0048M-03R12.
7.1 Test bars representing castings conforming to this speci-
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
fication shall meet the requirements for tensile strength as
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
www.dodssp.daps.mil. described in Table 1 and Table 2.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A48/A48M−03 (2012)
TABLE 1 Requirements for Tensile Strength of Gray Cast Irons in TABLE 2 Requirements for Tensile Strength of Gray Cast Irons in
Separately Cast Test Bars (Inch-Pound) Separately Cast Test Bars (Metric)
Tensile Strength, Nominal Test Bar Tensile Strength, Nominal Test Bar
Class Class
min, ksi Diameter, in. min, ksi [MPa] Diameter, in. [mm]
No. 20 A 20 0.8 No. 150A 150 20 to 22
No. 20 B 1.2 No. 150B 30
No. 20 C 2.0 No. 150C 50
A A
No. 20 S Bars S No. 150S Bars S
No. 25 A 25 0.88 No. 175A 175 20 to 22
No. 25 B 1.2 No. 175B 30
No. 25 C 2.0 No. 175C 50
A A
No. 25 S Bars S No. 175S Bars S
No. 30 A 30 0.88 No. 200A 200 20 to 22
No. 30 B 1.2 No. 200B 30
No. 30 C 2.0 No. 200C 50
A A
No. 30 S Bars S No. 200S Bars S
No. 35 A 35 0.88 No. 225A 225 20 to 22
No. 35 B 1.2 No. 225B 30
No. 35 C 2.0 No. 225C 50
A A
No. 35 S Bars S No. 225S Bars S
No. 40 A 40 0.88 No. 250A 250 20 to 22
No. 40 B 1.2 No. 250B 30
No. 40 C 2.0 No. 250C 50
A A
No. 40 S Bars S No. 250S Bars S
No. 45 A 45 0.88 No. 275A 275 20 to 22
No. 45 B 1.2 No. 275B 30
No. 45 C 2.0 No. 275C 50
A A
No. 45 S Bars S No. 275S Bars S
No. 50 A 50 0.88 No. 300A 300 20 to 22
No. 50 B 1.2 No. 300B 30
No. 50 C 2.0 No. 300C 50
A A
No. 50 S Bars S No. 300S Bars S
No. 55 A 55 0.88 No. 325A 325 20 to 22
No. 55 B 1.2 No. 325B 30
No. 55 C 2.0 No. 325C 50
A A
No. 55 S Bars S No. 325S Bars S
No. 60 A 60 0.88 No. 350A 350 20 to 22
No. 60 B 1.2 No. 350B 30
No. 60 C 2.0 No. 350C 50
A A
No. 60 S Bars S No. 350S Bars S
A
All dimensions of test bar S shall be as agreed upon between the manufacturer
No. 375A 375 20 to 22
and the purchaser.
No. 375B 30
No. 375C 50
A
No. 375S Bars S
No. 400A 400 20 to 22
8. Dimensional Requirements No. 400B 30
No. 400C 50
A
8.1 The castings shall conform to the dimensions or draw-
No. 400S Bars S
ings furnished by the purchaser, or, if there are no drawings, to A
All dimensions of test bar S shall be as agreed upon between the manufacturer
and the purchaser.
the dimensions predicted by the pattern equipment supplied by
the purchaser.
10.1.1 All the metal poured from a single heating in a batch
9. Workmanship and Finish
type melting furnace.
9.1 The surface of the casting shall be free of adhering sand,
10.1.2 All the metal from two or more batch type melting
scale, cracks, and hot tears, as determined by visual examina-
furnaces poured into a single ladle or a single casting.
tion.
10.1.3 All the metal poured from a continuous melting
9.2 No repairing by plugging or welding of any kind shall
furnace for a given period of time between changes in charge,
be permitted unless written permission is granted by the
processing conditions, or aim-for chemistry or 4 h, whichever
purchaser.
is the shorter period.
10.1.3.1 The purchaser may agree to extend the 4-h time
10. Sampling
period to8hifthe manufacturer can demonstrate sufficient
10.1 A lot shall consist of one of the following: process control to warrant such an extension.
A48/A48M−03 (2012)
TABLE 3 Separately Cast Test Bars for Use When a Specific
12.3 If the results of a valid test fail to conform to the
Correlation Has Not Been Established Between the Test Bar and
requirements of this specification, two retests shall be made. If
the Casting
either retest fails to meet the specification requirements, the
Thickness of the Wall of the Controlling
Test Bar castings represented by these test specimens shall be rejected.
Section of the Casting, in. [mm]
A valid test is one wherein the specimen has been properly
Under 0.25 [under 5] S
prepared and appears to be sound and on which the approved
0.25 to 0.50 [5 to 14] A
0.51 to 1.00 [15 to 25] B
test procedure has been followed.
1.01 to 2 [26 to 50] C
Over 2 [over 50] S 12.4 Ifsufficientseparatelycasttestpiecesarenotavailable,
the manufacturer shall have the option of removing a test
specimen from a location of representative casting, as agreed
upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.
12.5 If the first test results indicate that a heat treatment is
11. Cast Test Bars
needed to meet the test requirements, the entire lot of castings
11.1 Test bars shall be separate castings poured from the
and the representative test specimens shall be heat treated
same lot as the castings they represent and shall have dimen-
together. Testing shall proceed in accordance with 12.1 – 12.3.
sions as shown in Table 4. Allowance may be made for
12.6 If, after testing, a test specimen shows evidence of a
reasonablepatterndraftwithinthetolerancesshowninTable4.
defect, the results of the test may be invalidated and another
Test bars A, B, and C are all standard test bars in the form of
made on a specimen from the same lot.
simple cylinders. Test bar S is special and is intended for use
where the standard bars are not satisfactory.
13. Tension Test Specimens
11.2 The test bars shall be cast in dried, baked, or chemi-
13.1 For test Bar A, the tension-test specimen A, as shown
cally bonded molds made mainly of an aggregate of siliceous
in Fig. 1, shall be machined concentric with the axis of the test
sand with appropriate binders. The average grain size of the
bar.
sand shall approximate that of the sand in which the castings
are poured. Molds for the test bars shall be approximately at
13.2 For test Bar B, the tension test specimen B, as shown
room temperature when poured. More than one test bar may be
in Fig. 1, shall be machined concentric with the axis of the test
cast in a single mold, but each bar in the mold shall be
bar.
surrounded by a thickness of sand which is not less than the
13.3 For test Bar C, tension test specimens B or C, as shown
diameter of the bar. A suitable design for a mold is shown in
in Fig. 1, shall be machined concentric with the axis of the test
Fig. 2.
bar.Unlessthesizeofthetensiontestspecimentobemachined
NOTE 1—The intent of these provisions is as follows: to prohibit the
from test bar C is specified in writing by the purchaser, the
casting of test bars in molds of metal, graphi
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