Steel Investment Castings General Requirements, For Pressure-Containing Parts
Steel Investment Castings General Requirements, For Pressure-Containing Parts
Steel Investment Castings General Requirements, For Pressure-Containing Parts
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers a group of common requirements that are mandatory for steel castings produced by the
investment casting process for pressure-containing parts under
each of the following ASTM Specifications:
Title of Specification
ASTM Designation
2. Referenced Documents
A216/A216M
A217/A217M
A351/A351M
A352/A352M
A389/A389M
A487/A487M
A990
A995/A995M
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
A985/A985M 13
A903/A903M Specification for Steel Castings, Surface Acceptance Standards, Magnetic Particle and Liquid Penetrant Inspection
A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related
Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A967 Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments for
Stainless Steel Parts
A990 Specification for Castings, Iron-Nickel-Chromium and
Nickel Alloys, Specially Controlled for Pressure Retaining
Parts for Corrosive Service
A991/A991M Test Method for Conducting Temperature
Uniformity Surveys of Furnaces Used to Heat Treat Steel
Products
A995/A995M Specification for Castings, Austenitic-Ferritic
(Duplex) Stainless Steel, for Pressure-Containing Parts
A1058 Test Methods for Mechanical Testing of Steel
ProductsMetric
A1067 Specification for Test Coupons for Steel Castings
A1080 Practice for Hot Isostatic Pressing of Steel, Stainless
Steel, and Related Alloy Castings
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination
E125 Reference Photographs for Magnetic Particle Indications on Ferrous Castings
E165 Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination for General
Industry
E186 Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (2 to 412-in.
(50.8 to 114-mm)) Steel Castings
E192 Reference Radiographs of Investment Steel Castings
for Aerospace Applications
E208 Test Method for Conducting Drop-Weight Test to
Determine Nil-Ductility Transition Temperature of Ferritic Steels
E280 Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (412 to 12in. (114 to 305-mm)) Steel Castings
E340 Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
E353 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless,
Heat-Resisting, Maraging, and Other Similar ChromiumNickel-Iron Alloys
E354 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of HighTemperature, Electrical, Magnetic, and Other Similar Iron,
Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys
E446 Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in.
(50.8 mm) in Thickness
E709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing
E2660 Digital Reference Images for Investment Steel Castings for Aerospace Applications
2.2 ANSI Standard:3
B16.5 Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
2.3 ASME Standard:4
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, NB2546
2.4 Standards of the Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fitting Industry:5
MSS SP 53 Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings
for Valves, Flanges and Fittings and Other Piping Components (Magnetic Particle Exam Method)
MSS SP 54 Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves,
Flanges and Fittings and Other Piping Components (Radiographic Examination Method)
2.5 SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice:6
ARP 1341 Determining Decarburization and Carburization
in Finished Parts of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels
3. Terminology
3.1 DefinitionsThe definitions in Test Methods and Definitions A370, Terminology A941, and Test Methods A1058 are
applicable to this specification and those listed in 1.1.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 heat, nall the molten metal poured from a single
furnace or all of the molten metal from two or more furnaces
poured into a single ladle or casting prior to the replenishing of
the furnace(s).
3.2.2 investment casting, na metal casting that is produced
in a mold obtained by investing (surrounding) an expendable
pattern with a ceramic slurry, which is allowed to solidify. The
expendable pattern may consist of wax, plastic, or other
material and is removed prior to filling the mold with liquid
metal.
3.2.3 master heat, na single furnace charge of alloy that
may be either poured directly into castings or into remelt alloy
for individual melts.
3.2.4 subheat, na portion of master heat remelted with
only minor additions for deoxidation for pouring into castings.
Syn. melt, production heat.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 Melting ProcessMaster heats shall be made by the
electric furnace process with or without separate refining such
as argon-oxygen-decarburization (AOD), vacuum-oxygendegassing (VOD), vacuum-induction-melting (VIM), and so
forth, unless otherwise specified in the individual specification
or agreed upon between the customer and producer. Master
heats may be used directly for producing castings or converted
into ingot, bar, shot, or other suitable form, not including gates
and risers from casting production, for later remelting as a
subheat.
4.2 Re-Melting ProcessSubheats shall be produced from
master heat metal in suitable batch sizes by electric induction
furnace, with or without atmosphere protection, such as
vacuum or inert gas unless otherwise agreed upon between the
customer and producer. Revert (gates, sprues, risers, and
rejected castings) shall not be remelted except in master heats.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
www.asme.org.
5
Available from Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings
Industry (MSS), 127 Park St., NE, Vienna, VA 22180-4602, http://www.msshq.com.
6
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth
Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
A985/A985M 13
TABLE 1 Product Analysis Tolerances for Carbon and Low-Alloy
Steels
Element
Carbon (C)
Manganese (Mn)
Silicon (Si)
Phosphorus (P)
Sulfur (S)
Nickel (Ni)
Chromium (Cr)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Vanadium (V)
Tungsten (W)
Copper (Cu)
Aluminum (Al)
RangeA
up to 0.65 %
above 0.65 %
up to 1 %
above 1 %
up to 0.60 %
above 0.60 %
all
all
up to 2 %
above 2 %
up to 2 %
above 2 %
up to 0.6 %
above 0.6 %
up to 0.25 %
above 0.25 %
up to 0.10 %
above 0.10 %
up to 0.15 %
above 0.15 %
up to 0.10 %
above 0.10 %
4.4 Sampling:
4.4.1 If castings are poured directly from one or more
master heats, then the samples for chemical and other required
testing also shall be poured directly from each of the master
heats.
4.4.2 If castings are poured from a subheat, then the samples
for chemical and other required testing also shall be poured
from a subheat of that same master heat, but not necessarily
from the same subheat as the castings. The subheat used for the
test samples shall be produced using the same practices and
additions as used for the castings.
4.4.3 Test specimens may be taken from castings or from
coupons cast either integrally with the castings, in the same
molds as the castings, or in separate molds.
4.4.4 Separately cast specimens for tension testing shall be
cast in molds of the same type and material as those used for
the castings, as shown in Specification A1067, Figs. 14,
except when Supplementary Requirement S26 is specified. The
test coupon in Specification A1067, Fig. 4 shall be employed
only for austenitic alloy castings with cross sections less than
212 in.7
A
The range denotes the composition limits up to which the tolerances are
computed by the equation, and above which the tolerances are given by a
constant.
B
The subscriptL for the elements in each equation indicates that the limits of the
element specified by the applicable specification are to be inserted into the
equation to calculate the tolerance for the upper limit and the lower limit, if
applicable, respectively. Examples of computing tolerances are presented in the
footnote C.
C
To compute the tolerances, consider the manganese limits 0.50 - 80 % of Grade
WC4 of Specification A217/A217M. According to Table 1, the maximum permissible deviation of a product analysis below the lower limit 0.50 is 0.05 % = (0.08
0.50 + 0.01). The lowest acceptable product analysis of Grade WC4, therefore, is
0.45 %. Similarly, the maximum permissible deviation above the upper limit of 0.80
% is 0.074 % = (0.08 0.08 + 0.01). The highest acceptable product analysis of
Grade WC4, therefore is 0.874. For Grade WCC of Specification A216/A216M, the
maximum manganese content is 1.40 % if the carbon content is 0.20 %. In this
case, the highest acceptable product analysis is 1.49 = (1.40 + 0.09).
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 Chemical AnalysisChemical analysis of materials
covered by this specification shall be in accordance with Test
Methods, Practices, and Terminology A751.
5.2 Heat AnalysisAn analysis of samples obtained in
accordance with 4.4 or Supplementary Requirement S29 as
appropriate, shall be made by the manufacturer to determine
the percentages of the elements specified for the grade being
poured. When drillings are used, they shall be taken not less
than 116 in. [1.6 mm] beneath the surface. The chemical
composition thus determined shall be reported to the purchaser,
or his representative, and shall conform to the requirements in
the individual specification for the grade being poured.
7
Information on the relationship of mechanical properties determined on test
coupons obtained as specified in 4.4.4 with those obtained from the casting may be
found in The Steel Castings Handbook, Fifth Edition, Steel Founders Society of
America, 1980, pp. 15-35 through 15-43.
A985/A985M 13
10.3 When additional inspection is desired, Supplementary
Requirements S4, S5, S6, or S7 may be specified.
5.4 Unspecified ElementsWhen chemical analysis for elements not specified for the grade ordered is desired, Supplementary Requirement S1 may be specified.
7.2 The coupon from which the test specimen is taken shall
be heat treated in production furnaces to the same procedure as
the castings it represents.
13. Retests
13.1 If the results of the mechanical tests do not conform to
the requirements specified, retests are permitted as outlined in
Test Methods and Definitions A370 or Test Methods A1058 as
applicable. At the manufacturers option, castings may be
reheat treated and retested. Testing after reheat treatment shall
consist of the full number of specimens taken from locations
complying with the specification or order.
8. Repair by Welding
8.1 Repair by welding shall be in accordance with the
requirements of individual specifications using procedures and
welders qualified in accordance with Practice A488/A488M.
9. Flanges
14. Inspection
10. Quality
10.1 The surface of the casting shall be free of adhering
ceramic, scale, cracks, and hot tears as determined by visual
examination. Other surface discontinuities shall meet the visual
acceptance standards specified in the order. Unacceptable
visual surface discontinuities shall be removed and their
removal verified by visual examination of the resultant cavities.
10.2 The castings shall not be peened, plugged, or impregnated to stop leaks.
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved);
A985/A985M 13
16.3 A signature is not required on the certification;
however, the document shall identify clearly the organization
submitting the certification. Notwithstanding the absence of a
signature, the organization submitting the certification is responsible for its content.
16. Certification
16.1 The manufacturers certification shall be furnished to
the purchaser stating that the material was manufactured,
sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with the material
specification (including year of issue) and was found to meet
the requirements.
16.2 As applicable, the certification also shall include:
16.2.1 Material specification and grade,
16.2.2 Pattern or part number,
16.2.3 Master heat number or serial number traceable to the
master heat number,
16.2.4 Chemical analysis results required by the specification and supplementary requirements specified in the purchase
order,
16.2.5 Mechanical property results required by the specification and supplementary requirements specified in the purchase order,
16.2.6 Statement of satisfactory inspection, visual, and nondestructive testing specified in the purchase order,
16.2.7 Manufacturers name, and
16.2.8 Additional purchase order requirements.
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
Supplementary requirements shall be applied only when specified by the purchaser. Details of the
supplementary requirements shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser. The
specified tests shall be performed by the manufacturer prior to shipment of the castings.
be machined to 1 by 12-in. [25 by 13-mm] section with corners
rounded to a radius not over 116 in. [1.6 mm].
S3.2 The specimen shall withstand being bent longitudinally at room temperature through an angle of 90 about a pin,
the diameter of which shall be the specimen thickness for
carbon steels, and 1 in. [25 mm] for other steels. The specimen
shall show no cracks on the outside of the bent portion of the
specimen.
S3.3 Bend test specimens may be cut from heat-treated
castings instead of from test bars when agreed upon between
manufacturer and purchaser.
S3.4 If any test specimen shows defective machining or
develops flaws, it may be discarded and another specimen
substituted from the same heat.
A985/A985M 13
accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370 or Test
Methods A1058 as applicable.
S8.2 Absorbed EnergyAverage energy value of three
specimens shall not be less than specified, with not more than
one value permitted to fall below the minimum specified and
no value permitted below the minimum specified for a single
specimen.
S8.3 Lateral ExpansionLateral expansion value shall be
agreed upon by the manufacturer and purchaser.
S8.4 Percent Shear AreaPercent shear area shall be
agreed upon by the manufacturer and purchaser.
S11.
(This number not assigned to a supplementary requirement.)
S12. Prior Approval of Major Weld Repairs
S12.1 Major weld repairs shall be subject to the prior
approval of the purchaser.
S13. Hardness Test
S13.1 A hardness test shall be made in accordance with Test
Methods and Definitions A370 or Test Methods A1058 as
applicable. The test location and the hardness requirements
shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the
purchaser.
A985/A985M 13
S23.2 When the heat analysis indicates a total residual
aluminum content in excess of 0.08 %, the manufacturer shall
etch a cross section of the casting with the heaviest section for
which this supplementary requirement is invoked, or a coupon
attached to that heaviest section or an area directly under a riser
(see Note S23.1). Cross sections, from a separately cast test
block from the same heat and a thickness representative of the
heaviest section of castings purchased under this supplementary requirement, also may be used for macroetch testing. The
etching shall be performed on the selected section after its heat
treatment, that is, after annealing, normalizing, or quenching
and tempering following the initial cooling of the steel below
the transformation range.
S16.
(This number not assigned to a supplementary requirement.)
S17. Tension Test From Castings
S17.1 In addition to the tensile test required in Section 7,
test material shall be cut from heat treated castings. The
mechanical properties and location for the test material shall be
agreed upon by the manufacturer and purchaser.
S18.
(This number not assigned to a supplementary requirement.)
S19.
(This number not assigned to a supplementary requirement.)
A985/A985M 13
NOTE 1The ten levels of severity of intergranular network structures shown are indicative of the presence of aluminum nitride precipitation in the
primary austenitic grain boundaries.
FIG. S23.1 Reference Photographs of Macroetched Cast Steel
TABLE S23.1 Descriptive Data Applicable to Network Structures
Shown in Fig. S23.1
S26. Alternative Tension Test Coupons and Specimen Locations for Castings (In-Lieu of Test Bars Poured from
Special Blocks)
NOTE 1These ratings are based on the physical width and continuity
of the precipitate pattern developed by the acid etchant on the primary
austenitic grain boundaries of the cast steel. Supplementary testing is
normally conducted to determine the final disposition of castings with
ratings of 5 or greater.
Rating
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Boundary Outline, %
20
40
60
80
100
100
100
100
100
100
A985/A985M 13
the purchaser and supplier. Acceptance testing shall be subject
to agreement between the purchaser and supplier.
S50S69.
S28.1 Final cleaning of the casting surfaces shall be performed in accordance with one of the cleaning methods in
Practice A380 or Specification A967 as agreed upon between
(These numbers are reserved for assignment by the individual product specifications.)
A985/A985M 13
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. ALLOY DESIGNATIONS FOR CAST STAINLESS STEELS
X1.2.4 Special Elements LettersAdditional letters following the numeral represents special chemical elements in the
alloy grade, such as M for molybdenum, C for columbium, Cu
for copper, and W for tungsten. There are two exceptions. The
letter A indicates Controlled Ferrite, and the letter F indicates
Free Machining.
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A985/A985M 13
NOTE 1The approximate areas of microstructures to be expected at room temperature are indicated as follows:
I-Martensite
II-Martensite and untransformed austenite
III-Ferrite plus martensite and untransformed austenite
IV-Ferrite
V-Ferrite plus austenite
VI-Ferrite plus austenite plus sigma
VII-Austenite
Carbides also may be present depending on carbon content and thermal history.
FIG. X1.1 Letters Assigned to Chromium and Nickel Ranges in ACI Designation System
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A985/A985M 12a) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved May 1, 2013.)
(1) Added citation of Practice A1080.
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A985/A985M 12) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Sept. 1, 2012.)
(4) Corrected and clarified S14, S17, and S22.
(5) Revised the title of S22.
(6) Reserved a range of S-numbers for use by the product
specifications.
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A985/A985M 11a) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved May 1, 2012.)
(1) New supplementary requirements S33 and S34 for stabilization heat treatment of CF8C and CF10MC.
(2) Cited Specification A1058.
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A985/A985M 11) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Oct. 1, 2011.)
(1) Added citation of E2660 reference radiographs.
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A985/A985M 13
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