1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers stainless steel wire, except the free-machining types. It includes round, square, octagon, hexagon, and shape wire in coils only for the more commonly used types of stainless steels for general corrosion resistance and high-temperature service. For bars in straightened and cut lengths, see Specifications A276 or A479/A479M.
NOTE 1- For free-machining stainless wire, designed especially for optimum machinability, see Specification A581/A58 1M.
1.2 Unless the order specifies the applicable “M” specification designation, the material shall be furnished to the inch-pound units.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A276 Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
A479/A479M Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes for Use in Boilers and Other Pressure Vessels
A555/A555M Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
A581/A581M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
2.2 Society of Automotive Engineers Standard:
J 1086 Numbering Metals and Alloys
3. Ordering Information
3.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all requirements that are necessary for material ordered under this specification. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to, the following:
3.1.1 Quantity (weight),
3.1.2 Name of material (stainless steel),
3.1.3 Type or UNS designation (Table 1),
3.1.4 Condition (4.1),
3.1.5 Finish (4.2),
3.1.6 Cross section (round, square, and so forth),
3.1.7 Applicable dimensions including size, thickness, and width,
3.1.8 ASTM designation A580/A580M and date of issue,
3.1.9 Coil diameter (inside or outside diameter, or both) and coil weight, and
3.1.10 Special requirements.
NOTE 2- A typical ordering description is as follows: 5000 lb [2000 kg] Type 304, wire, annealed and cold drawn, / in. [13 mm] round, ASTM Specification A580/A 580M dated End use: machined hydraulic coupling parts.
4. Manufacture
4.1 Condition (Table 2):
4.1.1 Condition A- – Annealed as a final heat treatment. Material in Condition A may be given a final cold drawing for size control or finish, or both, slightly raising tensile strength;
4.1.2 Condition B- Cold worked to higher strength.
4.1.3 Condition T- _Heat treated to an intermediate temper generally by austenitizing, quenching， and tempering at a relatively low temperature.
4.1.4 Condition H- Heat treated to a hard temper generally by austenitizing, quenching, and tempering at a relatively low temperature.
4.2 Finish:
4.2.1 Cold Drawn- A finish resulting from a final cold drawing pass, generally with cold drawing lubricant left on. Special bright finishes, lubricant removal, and so forth, for special end uses must be negotiated with the producer.
4.2.2 Annealed and Pickled- A dull matte appearance necessarily associated with the dead-soft condition when no final cold drawing is permitted.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to chemical composition specified in Table 1.
6. Mechanical Requirements
6.1 The material shall conform to the mechanical test requirements specified in Table 2.
6.2 The martensitic grades shall be capable of meeting the hardness requirements, after heat treating, as specified in Table 3.
7. General Requirements for Delivery
7.1 In addition to the requirements of this specification, all requirements of the current edition of Specification A555/A555M shall apply. Failure to comply with the general requirements of Specification A555/A555M constitutes non-conformance with this specification.
8. Keywords
8.1 stainless steel; wire