ISO 4954-2:2024

Steels for cold heading and cold extruding - Technical delivery conditions - Part 2: Stainless steels

This document specifies requirements for stainless steels that are intended for cold heading or cold extruding and are delivered as wire rods, wire or bars. It lists specific requirements for steels with diameters of 0,8 mm up to 50 mm for austenitic steels, up to 25 mm for ferritic steels and up to 100 mm for martensitic steels. This document is applicable to the properties of cold-headed or cold-extruded parts which have been subjected to a subsequent heat treatment. NOTE Non-alloy and alloy steels for cold heading and cold extruding are covered by ISO 4954-1.

Aciers pour transformation à froid et extrusion à froid — Conditions techniques de livraison — Partie 2: Aciers inoxydables

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Jun-2024
• ICS: 77.140.10 - Heat-treatable steels
• ICS: 77.140.20 - Stainless steels
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 17/SC 4 - Heat treatable and alloy steels
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 17/SC 4 - Heat treatable and alloy steels
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 19-Jun-2024
• Due Date: 20-Mar-2026
• Completion Date: 19-Jun-2024

Relations

• Revises: ISO 4954:2022 - Steels for cold heading and cold extruding
• Effective Date: 24-Dec-2022

Overview

ISO 4954-2:2024 - Steels for cold heading and cold extruding - Technical delivery conditions - Part 2: Stainless steels defines the delivery and quality requirements for stainless steels intended specifically for cold heading and cold extruding. It applies to materials supplied as wire rods, wire or bars, and covers dimensional ranges of:

• Austenitic steels: 0.8 mm up to 50 mm
• Ferritic steels: up to 25 mm
• Martensitic steels: up to 100 mm

The standard is applicable to properties of cold-headed or cold-extruded parts that may undergo subsequent heat treatment. Note: non‑alloy and alloy steels for these processes are covered in ISO 4954-1.

Key technical topics and requirements

ISO 4954-2:2024 sets out mandatory and optional requirements including:

• Classification and designation of stainless steels for cold forming applications.
• Information to be supplied by the purchaser, including mandatory ordering data and optional/supplementary requirements.
• Manufacturing process considerations: deoxidation, heat‑treatment and surface condition at delivery, cast traceability and statistical evaluation.
• Material requirements:
  • Chemical composition and relevance to cold heading/extruding
  • Mechanical properties and hardenability
  • Grain size, non‑metallic inclusions, and internal soundness
  • Aptitude to cold forming (including upset testing)
  • Surface quality, corrosion resistance, and dimensional/tolerance criteria
• Inspection and testing: procedures, sample preparation, test frequencies and documents. Test methods referenced include chemical analysis, tensile testing, non‑destructive testing (e.g., eddy current, magnetic particle), upsetting test, visual and dimensional checks.
• Marking, surface treatment and packaging requirements.
• Annexes include supplementary requirements, a list of commonly used stainless grades for fastener applications (Annex B) and designation comparisons (Annex C).

Practical applications and users

ISO 4954-2 is intended for stakeholders involved in cold forming of stainless steels:

• Steel producers and mills supplying wire rods, wire and bars for cold forming
• Fastener manufacturers (bolts, rivets, screws) and other cold‑headed component producers
• Automotive, transport, and general engineering component manufacturers using cold heading/extruding
• Quality, procurement and metallurgical engineers specifying material acceptance, testing and traceability The standard helps ensure consistent material performance for reliable forming, dimensional control and post‑forming heat treatment outcomes.

Related standards (select)

• ISO 4954-1 (Non‑alloy and alloy steels for cold heading/extruding)
• ISO 3506 (stainless steel fasteners - referenced in comparisons)
• ISO 16143 series (stainless semi‑finished products)
• ISO 6892-1 (tensile testing), ISO 14284 (chemical sampling), ISO 9934 / ISO 15549 (NDT methods)

Keywords: ISO 4954-2:2024, stainless steels for cold heading, cold extruding, technical delivery conditions, wire rods, bars, austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, material inspection, fastener applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 4954-2
First edition
Steels for cold heading and cold
2024-06
extruding — Technical delivery
conditions —
Part 2:
Stainless steels
Aciers pour transformation à froid et extrusion à froid —
Conditions techniques de livraison —
Partie 2: Aciers inoxydables
Reference number
© ISO 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Classification and designation . 2
4.1 Classification .2
4.2 Designation .3
5 Information to be supplied by the purchaser . 3
5.1 Mandatory information .3
5.2 Options and/or supplementary or special requirements .3
5.3 Ordering example.4
6 Manufacturing process . 4
6.1 General .4
6.2 Deoxidation.4
6.3 Heat-treatment condition and surface condition at delivery .4
6.3.1 Heat-treatment condition .4
6.3.2 Particular surface conditions .4
6.4 Traceability of the cast .4
6.5 Statistical evaluation .5
7 Requirements . 5
7.1 Chemical composition, mechanical properties and hardenability .5
7.1.1 General .5
7.1.2 Chemical composition . .5
7.1.3 Mechanical properties . .6
7.2 Grain size .6
7.3 Non-metallic inclusions .6
7.4 Internal soundness .6
7.5 Aptitude to cold forming .6
7.6 Surface quality .7
7.6.1 General .7
7.6.2 Wire rod and bars.7
7.6.3 Bright products and wire .7
7.6.4 Removal of surface discontinuities .7
7.6.5 Non-destructive testing of the surface .7
7.7 Corrosion resistance .7
7.8 Shape, dimensions and tolerances .7
8 Inspection . 7
8.1 Testing procedures and types of documents.7
8.2 Summary of specific inspection and frequency of testing .8
9 Preparation of samples and test pieces . 9
9.1 Selection and preparation of samples for product analysis .9
9.2 Selection and preparation of samples and test pieces for the mechanical test .9
10 Test methods . 9
10.1 Chemical analysis .9
10.2 Mechanical tests .9
10.3 Non-destructive testing .10
10.4 Aptitude to cold forming — Upsetting test .10
10.5 Visual and dimensional test .10
10.6 Retests .10
11 Surface treatment, marking and packaging . 10
11.1 Surface treatment .10

iii
11.2 Marking .10
11.3 Packaging .10
Annex A (normative) Supplementary or special requirements .18
Annex B (informative) Commonly used stainless steel grades for fasteners applications . 19
Annex C (informative) Designation of steels in this document and the comparable grades
covered in various designation systems .21
Bibliography .22

iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 17, Steel, Subcommittee SC 4, Heat treatable
and alloy steels.
This first edition of ISO 4954-2, together with ISO 4954-1 cancels and replaces ISO 4954:2022, which has
been technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— new Annex B was added for the comparison with steel grades mentioned in ISO 3506.
A list of all parts in the ISO 4954 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

v
International Standard ISO 4954-2:2024(en)
Steels for cold heading and cold extruding — Technical
delivery conditions —
Part 2:
Stainless steels
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for stainless steels that are intended for cold heading or cold extruding
and are delivered as wire rods, wire or bars. It lists specific requirements for steels with diameters of 0,8 mm
up to 50 mm for austenitic steels, up to 25 mm for ferritic steels and up to 100 mm for martensitic steels.
This document is applicable to the properties of cold-headed or cold-extruded parts which have been
subjected to a subsequent heat treatment.
NOTE Non-alloy and alloy steels for cold heading and cold extruding are covered by ISO 4954-1.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 377, Steel and steel products — Location and preparation of samples and test pieces for mechanical testing
ISO 404, Steel and steel products — General technical delivery requirements
ISO 643, Steels — Micrographic determination of the apparent grain size
ISO 1035-1, Hot-rolled steel bars — Part 1: Dimensions of round bars
ISO 1035-2, Hot-rolled steel bars — Part 2: Dimensions of square bars
ISO 1035-3, Hot-rolled steel bars — Part 3: Dimensions of flat bars
ISO 1035-4, Hot-rolled steel bars — Part 4: Tolerances
ISO 3651-2, Determination of resistance to intergranular corrosion of stainless steels — Part 2: Ferritic,austenitic
and ferritic-austenitic (duplex) stainless steels — Corrosion test in media containing sulfuric acid
ISO 4885, Ferrous materials — Heat treatments — Vocabulary
ISO 4948-1, Steels — Classification — Part 1: Classification of steels into unalloyed and alloy steels based on
chemical composition
ISO 4948-2, Steels — Classification — Part 2: Classification of unalloyed and alloy steels according to main
quality classes and main property or application characteristics
ISO/TS 4949, Steel names based on letter symbols
ISO 6892-1, Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
ISO 6929, Steel products — Vocabulary

ISO 9934-1, Non-destructive testing — Magnetic particle testing — Part 1: General principles
ISO 10474, Steel and steel products — Inspection documents
ISO 14284, Steel and iron — Sampling and preparation of samples for the determination of chemical composition
ISO 15549, Non-destructive testing — Eddy current testing — General principles
ISO 16124, Steel wire rod — Dimensions and tolerances
ISO 16143-2, Stainless steels for general purposes — Part 2: Corrosion-resistant semi-finished products, bars,
rods and sections
ISO 16143-4, Stainless steels for general purposes — Part 4: Bright products
ISO 22034-2, Steel wire and wire products — Part 2: Tolerances on wire dimensions
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 377, ISO 4885, ISO 4948-1,
ISO 4948-2, ISO 6929, ISO 14284, ISO 16143-2, ISO 16143-4 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
bright steel product
drawn or peeled/turned bar with smoother surface quality and better dimensional accuracy in comparison
with a hot-rolled bar
3.2
drawn product
product of various cross-sectional shapes obtained, after descaling, by cold drawing of hot-rolled bars or
wire rod, on a drawing bench (cold deformation without removing material)
Note 1 to entry: This operation gives the product special features with respect to shape, dimensional accuracy and surface
finish. Products in lengths are delivered straightened, products of small cross-section may also be supplied in coils.
3.3
peeled/turned bar
steel bar of circular cross-section having the same features of drawn products (3.2) concerning shape,
dimensional accuracy and bright surface finish but without work hardening
Note 1 to entry: They are produced by peeling on a peeling machine usually followed by straightening and by polishing.
The removal of metal by peeling is carried out in such a way that the bright product is generally free from surface
defects and decarburization coming from the hot-rolling process.
3.4
stainless steels
steel with at least 10,5 % (mass fraction) Cr and maximum1,2 % (mass fraction) C
[SOURCE: ISO 15510:2014, 3.1]
4 Classification and designation
4.1 Classification
The classification of the relevant steel grades shall be in accordance with ISO 4948-1 and ISO 4948-2.

All steel grades mentioned in this document are special steels in accordance with ISO 4948-2.
The stainless steel grades are classified according to their microstructures.
4.2 Designation
For the steel grades covered by this document, the steel names as given in the relevant tables shall be
allocated in accordance with ISO/TS 4949.
Annex C provides a list of steels given in this document and the comparable grades covered in various
designation systems.
5 Information to be supplied by the purchaser
5.1 Mandatory information
The manufacturer shall obtain the following information from the purchaser at the time of enquiry and order:
a) the quantity to be delivered (mass, length);
b) the product form (round bar, wire rod, wire);
c) the nominal diameter and the tolerances on dimensions and shape of the product with reference to the
relevant International Standard;
d) for bars, the length; and for wire rod and wire, the dimensions, i.e. inner diameter and mass of the coils;
e) a reference to this document, i.e. ISO 4954-2;
f) the designation of the steel grade given in Tables 5;
g) if applicable, the symbol for the required treatment condition, see Tables 6 to 9;
h) standard designation for a test report 2,2 or, if required, any other type of inspection document in
accordance with ISO 10474.
5.2 Options and/or supplementary or special requirements
A number of options are specified in this document and listed below. If the purchaser does not indicate a
wish to implement any of these options, the products shall at least be supplied in accordance with the basic
specifications of this document (see 5.1).
a) any requirement relating to the removal of surface defects, see 7.6.4;
b) any requirement for the verification of the surface quality, see 7.6.3;
c) any requirement for a product analysis, see 7.1.2.2;
d) internal soundness and any requirements for non-destructive testing, see 7.4 and 10.3;
e) verification of aptitude to cold forming, see 7.5 and 10.4;
f) maximum depth of surface discontinuities, see 7.6.2 and A.2;
g) any requirement concerning non-destructive testing of the surface, see 7.6.5 and 10.3;
h) corrosion resistance and any requirements for resistance to intergranular corrosion, see 7.7 and A.3;
i) any requirement concerning surface treatment, see 11.1;
j) any special requirements concerning special or additional marking, see 11.2;

k) any special requirements concerning packaging, see 11.3;
l) statistical evaluation, see 6.5.
5.3 Ordering example
EXAMPLE 50 t round bars with a nominal diameter of 40 mm and a nominal length of 6 000 mm with diameter
tolerance according to class S and with length tolerance according to class L2 of ISO 1035-4 made of steel grade
ISO 4954-2, X5CrNi18-10 in the condition +AT+PE (see Table 6), and product analysis with an inspection certificate 3.1
in accordance with ISO 10474.
50 t round bars ISO 1035-4 – 40,0S × 6 000L2
ISO 4954-2, X5CrNi18-10+AT+PE – product analysis
ISO 10474 – 3.1
6 Manufacturing process
6.1 General
The manufacturing process of the steel and of the products is, with the restrictions given by the requirements
in 6.2 to 6.4, left to the discretion of the manufacturer.
6.2 Deoxidation
All steels shall be deoxidized. By agreement, aluminium may be replaced by another suitable element having
a similar effect.
6.3 Heat-treatment condition and surface condition at delivery
6.3.1 Heat-treatment condition
Treatment and heat-treatment condition shall conform to one of the conditions indicated in Table 4.
Bright steel products in cold drawn or peeled/turned condition could show a residual film of grease from
processing.
6.3.2 Particular surface conditions
If so agreed at the time of enquiry and order, the products shall be delivered in one of the particular surface
conditions given in Table 1.
Table 1 — Surface condition at delivery
Surface condition at delivery Symbol Bar Wire rod Wire
Unless otherwise agreed as-rolled none or +AR x x —
cold drawn +C x — x
Particular surface conditions
skin passed +LC x — x
supplied by agreement
peeled +PE x x x
6.4 Traceability of the cast
Each product shall be traceable to the cast, see 11.2.

6.5 Statistical evaluation
Suppliers are responsible, using the means they think fit, for inspecting their product in accordance with
various quality criteria specified. In view of the practical difficulties in inspecting a coil of wire rod along its
entire length, it cannot be proved that no value greater than the specified limits occur in the coil as a whole.
Statistical evaluation of performances applicable to all coils may be agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer at the time of ordering.
7 Requirements
7.1 Chemical composition, mechanical properties and hardenability
7.1.1 General
Wire rod, bars and wire shall be supplied in one of the delivery conditions as indicated in Table 4 as agreed
at the time of enquiry and order. These tables show the combinations of usual heat-treatment conditions at
delivery, product forms and applicable requirements.
In addition to this document, the general technical delivery requirements of ISO 404 shall apply.
If grades other than those included in this document are required for cold heading and cold extruding
purposes they shall comply with ISO 16143-2 or ISO 16143-3 and the mechanical values must be agreed at
the time of enquiry and order, see also Annex B.
7.1.2 Chemical composition
7.1.2.1 The chemical composition determined by cast analysis shall conform to the values in Table 5.
7.1.2.2 Permissible deviations between the limiting values for cast analysis and the values for product
analysis are given in Table 2. The product analysis shall be carried out when specified at the time of the
enquiry and order.
Table 2 — Permissible deviations between product analysis and the limiting values of the cast
analysis specified in Table 5
Elements Limiting values of the cast (heat) Permissible deviation for the
analysis product analysis
a
% mass fraction % mass fraction
≤0,030 +0,005
C
>0,030 ≤ 0,15 ±0,01
≤1,00 +0,05
Si
>1,00 ≤ 2,00 ±0,10
≤1,00 +0,03
Mn
>1,00 ≤ 2,00 ±0,04
P ≤0,045 +0,005
≤0,015 +0,003
S
>0,015 ≤ 0,030 ±0,005
≥11,5 < 15,0 ±0,15
Cr ≥15,0 ≤ 20,0 ±0,20
>20,0 ≤ 23,0 ±0,25
a
± means that in one heat the deviation of the product analysis for a given element may occur over the upper
value or under the lower value of the specified range of the cast analysis, but not both at the same time.

TTabablele 2 2 ((ccoonnttiinnueuedd))
Elements Limiting values of the cast (heat) Permissible deviation for the
analysis product analysis
a
% mass fraction % mass fraction
≤1,00 +0,03
>1,00 ≤ 5,0 ±0,07
Ni >5,0 ≤ 10,0 ±0,10
>10,0 ≤ 20,0 ±0,15
>20,0 ≤ 27,0 ±0,20
<1,75 ±0,05
Mo
≥1,75 ≤ 3,5 ±0,10
N ≤0,22 ±0,02
Al ≤0,35 +0,10
B >0,001 ≤ 0,010 ±0,000 5
≤1,00 +0,04
Cu
>1,00 ≤ 4,0 ±0,10
≤1,00 ±0,05
Ti
>1,00 ≤ 2,35 ±0,07
V ≤0,50 ±0,03
a
± means that in one heat the deviation of the product analysis for a given element may occur over the upper
value or under the lower value of the specified range of the cast analysis, but not both at the same time.
7.1.3 Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties of the products, to be determined by the tensile test and by consideration of the
delivery conditions of Table 4 and of the surface condition of Table 1, shall conform to Tables 6 to 9.
As the properties of the parts in the cold-headed or cold-extruded, and subsequently not-heat-treated
condition, are largely dependent on the applied cold-heading or cold-extruding conditions, these are, if
necessary, subject to agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer of the parts.
7.2 Grain size
Unless otherwise agreed, the austenitic grain size is left to the manufacturer’s discretion.
If agreed at the time of enquiry and order requirements concerning the grain size and its verification can be
agreed according to ISO 643 or another standard.
7.3 Non-metallic inclusions
This requirement is applicable to the verification of the macroscopic inclusions. If verification is agreed, the
method and acceptance limits shall be agreed at the time of enquiry and order.
7.4 Internal soundness
Wire rod, bars and wire shall be free from internal defects, which can cause an adverse effect on products
during cold heading or cold extrusion or during heat treatment.
Where appropriate, non-destructive testing relating to the internal soundness of the products shall be
agreed at the time of enquiry and order, see 10.3.
7.5 Aptitude to cold forming
A test for verification of the aptitude of products to cold forming shall be carried out if agreed at the time of
enquiry and order with reference to 10.4

7.6 Surface quality
7.6.1 General
All products shall have a smooth surface finish appropriate to the manufacturing process applied. For hot-
rolled products, minor surface imperfections, which can occur also under normal manufacturing conditions,
such as prints originating from rolled-in scale, shall not be regarded as defects. It is more difficult to detect
and eliminate surface discontinuities from coiled products than from cut lengths. This should be taken into
account when agreements on surface quality are made.
7.6.2 Wire rod and bars
Wire rod is normally supplied in the pickled condition. Mechanical descaling can also be used, in which
case a subsequent treatment in a pickling solution shall be carried out unless otherwise agreed. Particular
processes, such as peeling or shaving, may also be applied, subject to specific agreement at the time of
enquiry and order. For an agreement concerning the maximum depth of surface discontinuities, see A.2.
7.6.3 Bright products and wire
For wire, the permissible depth of surface discontinuities shall be in proportion to
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