Designation: A 1000 – 05

Standard Specification for

Steel Wire, Carbon and Alloy Specialty Spring Quality1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 1000; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment

1.1 This specification covers a quality of round and shaped A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
plain carbon and alloy steel spring wire, uniform in quality and Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
temper, intended for the manufacture of mechanical springs A 877/A 877M Specification for Steel Wire, Chrome-
that can withstand moderate fatigue stresses over some rela- Silicon Alloy Valve Spring Quality
tively low number of cycles. The quality level is between the A 878/A 878M Specification for Steel Wire, Modified
commercial quality grades of wire such as Specifications Chromium Vanadium Valve Spring Quality
A 401/A 401M, A 231/A 231M, and A 229/A 229M and the A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Re-
valve spring quality grades such Specifications as A 230/ lated Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A 230M, A 232/A 232M, A 877/A 877M and A 878/A 878M. E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
It is similar to the grade TD (referenced in EN 10270-2) Determine Conformance with Specifications
intended for medium fatigue levels, such as required for clutch E 45 Practice for Determining the Inclusion Content of
springs. This wire shall be either in the annealed and cold- Steel
drawn or oil-tempered condition as specified by purchaser. 2.2 Federal Standard:
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)3
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the 2.3 Military Standard:
inch-pound units are shown in parentheses. The values stated MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each ment and Storage3
system must be used independent of the other. 2.4 AIAG Standard:
AIAG B-5 02.00 Primary Metals Identification Tag Appli-
2. Referenced Documents cation Standard4
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 2.5 European Standard:
A 229/A 229M Specification for Steel Wire, Oil-Tempered EN 10270-2 Steel Wire for Mechanical Springs Part 2:
for Mechanical Springs Oil-Hardened and Tempered Springsteel Wire of Unal-
A 230/A 230M Specification for Steel Wire, Oil-Tempered loyed and Alloyed Steels5
Carbon Valve Spring Quality
3. Terminology
A 231/A 231M Specification for Chromium-Vanadium Al-
loy Steel Spring Wire 3.1 Definitions:
A 232/A 232M Specification for Chromium-Vanadium Al- 3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this specification, see
loy Steel Valve Spring Quality Wire Terminology A 941.
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of Steel Products 3.2.1 commercial quality wire—a grade of wire that is fairly
A 401/A 401M Specification for Steel Wire, Chrome- common quality and intended for applications that are prima-
Silicon Alloy rily static in nature, not involving significant fatigue loading.
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
4. Ordering Information
4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify
all requirements that are necessary for material under this
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.03 on Steel Rod and Wire.
3
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2005. Published January 2005. Originally Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as A 1000 – 99. Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), 26200 Lahser Rd.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48034.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from European Committee for Standardization, rue de Stassart
the ASTM website. 36,B-1050 Brussels

*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.

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 A 1000 – 05
specification. Such requirements may include, but are not 6.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the
limited to the following, purchaser from finished wire representing each heat of steel.
4.1.1 Quantity (mass), The average of all the separate determinations made shall be
4.1.2 Name of material (chromium-silicon alloy steel spe- within the limits specified in the analysis column.
cialty spring quality wire), 6.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and
4.1.3 Dimensions (Table 1 and Section 9) Terminology A 751 shall be used.
4.1.4 Condition (Section 7),
4.1.5 Packaging (Section 15), 7. Mechanical Properties
4.1.6 Heat analysis report, if requested (6.2),
7.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn—When purchased in the
4.1.7 Certification or test report, or both, if specified (Sec-
annealed and cold-drawn condition, the wire shall have been
tion 14), and
given a sufficient amount of cold working to meet the purchas-
4.1.8 ASTM designation and year of issue.
er’s coiling requirements and shall be in a suitable condition to
NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 20 000-kg respond properly to heat treatment. In special cases the
oil-tempered chromium-silicon alloy steel specialty spring quality wire, hardness, if desired, shall be stated in the purchase order.
size 6.00 mm in 1500-kg coils to ASTM ___ dated ___, or for inch-pound
7.2 Oil Tempered:
units, 40 000-lb. oil-tempered chromium-silicon alloy steel specialty
spring quality wire, size 0.250 in. in 3000-lb coils to ASTM___dated ___. 7.2.1 Tensile Strength and %RA, Round Wire—When pur-
chased in the oil-tempered condition, the tensile strength and
5. Materials and Manufacture minimum percent reduction in area of round wire, sizes 2.50
5.1 The steel may be made by any commercially accepted mm (0.105 in.) and larger shall conform to the requirements
steel making process. The steel may be either ingot cast or prescribed in Tables 3-6.
strand cast. 7.2.2 Tensile Strength, Shaped and Flat Wire—Tensile
5.2 The finished wire shall be free from detrimental pipe strength of shaped and flat rolled wires shall conform to these
and undue segregation. tables based on the conversion to equivalent round dimensions.
Percent reduction of area is not applicable to shaped and flat
6. Chemical Composition rolled wires.
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical 7.2.3 Tensile Strength Variation—In addition, the maximum
composition specified in Table 2. tensile variation in a coil shall be 70 Mpa (10 KSI).
6.2 Heat Analysis—Each heat of steel shall be analyzed by NOTE 2—Any specimen breaking in the tensile grips shall be discarded
the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements and a new specimen tested if the specified mechanical properties are not
prescribed in Table 2. This analysis shall be made from a test achieved. If breakage in the tensile grips prevents conformance to percent
specimen preferably taken during the pouring of the heat. reduction in area requirements, conformance to the wrap test (see 7.3)
When requested, this shall be reported to the purchaser and shall suffice.
shall conform to the requirements of Table 2. 7.2.4 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.
TABLE 1 Permissible Variations in Wire Dimensions (Round and 7.2.5 Location of Tests—Test specimens shall be taken for
Shapes)A
each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each heat in a given
SI Units lot shall be tested.
Permissible Varia- Permissible Out-Of-
Dimension, mm 7.2.6 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in
tions, 6 mm Round, mm
0.5 to 2.0, incl 0.02 0.02 accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
Over 2.0 to 4.0, incl 0.03 0.03
Over 4.0 to 9.5, incl 0.04 0.04 7.3 Wrap Test:
Over 9.5 0.05 0.05 7.3.1 Round oil tempered wire 4.00 mm (0.156 in.) or
Inch-Pound Units smaller in diameter shall wrap on itself as an arbor without
Permissible Varia- Permissible Out-Of-
Dimension, in. breakage. Larger diameter wire up to and including 8.00 mm
tions, 6 in. Round, in.
0.020 to 0.075, incl 0.0008 0.0008 (0.312 in.) shall wrap without breakage on a mandrel twice the
Over 0.075 to 0.148, incl 0.001 0.001
Over 0.148 to 0.375, incl 0.0015 0.0015
wire diameter. The wrap test is not applicable to wire over 8.00
Over 0.375 0.002 0.002 mm (0.312 in.) in diameter or to shaped and flat rolled wires.
Permissible Variations in Wire Dimensions (Flat Rolled)A 7.3.2 The special high tensile chrome silicon vanadium
SI Units
Thickness Width
grade of round oil tempered wire 4.00 mm (0.156 in.) or
Dimension, mm Permissible Varia- Permissible Varia- smaller in diameter shall wrap on a mandrel twice the diameter
tions, 6 mm tions, mm without breakage. Larger diameter wire up to and including
All 0.05 0.120
Inch-Pound Units 8.00 mm (0.312 in.) shall wrap without breakage on a mandrel
Thickness Width three times the wire diameter. The wrap test is not applicable to
Dimension, in. Permissible Varia- Permissible Varia- wire over 8.00 mm (0.312 in.) in diameter or to shaped and flat
tions, 6 in. tions, in.
All 0.002 0.005 rolled wires.
A
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified 7.3.3 Test Method—The wrap test shall be made in accor-
limits are absolute as defined in Practice E 29. dance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370.

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 A 1000 – 05
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
Analysis, %
Grade C Grade D
Grade A Grade B
Chromium- Chromium-Silicon-
Chromium-Silicon Carbon
Vanadium Vanadium
Carbon 0.51 to 0.59 0.55 to 0.75 0.60 to 0.70 0.55 to 0.68
Manganese 0.50 to 0.80 0.60 to 0.90 0.50 to 0.90 0.50 to 0.90
Phosphorus 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max
Sulfur 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max
Silicon 1.20 to 1.60 0.15 to 0.30 0.15 to 0.30 1.20 to 1.65
A
Chromium 0.60 to 0.80 0.35 to 0.60 0.50 to 0.80
A A
Vanadium 0.10 to 0.25 0.08 to 0.25
A
Not required.

TABLE 3 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Chrome Silicon) TABLE 4 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Carbon)
SI Units SI Units
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction of Area Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction of area
B B
0.5 2100 2280 0.5 2100 2070
B B
1.0 2070 2240 1.0 1860 2030
B B
1.5 2030 2210 2.0 1790 1960
B
2.0 2000 2140 2.5 1760 1900 45
2.5 1965 2105 45 3.0 1720 1860 45
3.0 1930 2070 45 4.0 1650 1790 40
4.0 1900 2040 40 4.5 1580 1720 40
4.5 1830 1970 40 5.5 1510 1650 40
5.0 1810 1950 40 6.5 1480 1620 40
5.5 1790 1930 40 8.0 1450 1590 40
6.5 1760 1900 40 9.5 1410 1550 40
8.0 1730 1870 40 12.5 1380 1520 35
9.5 1690 1830 40 16.0 1350 1490 30
11.0 1660 1800 35
Inch-Pound Units
12.5 1630 1770 35
14.0 1610 1750 30 Reduction of area,
Diameter, in. kSI, min kSI, max
16.0 1590 1730 30 min %
B
Inch-Pound Units 0.020 275 300
B
0.040 270 295
Diameter, in. ksi, min ksi, max Reduction of area, min % B
0.080 260 285
B
0.020 305 330 0.105 255 275 45
B
0.040 300 325 0.120 250 270 45
B
0.060 295 320 0.156 240 260 40
B
0.080 290 310 0.177 235 255 40
0.105 284 304 45 0.218 225 245 40
0.120 280 300 45 0.250 215 235 40
0.156 275 295 40 0.312 210 230 40
0.177 265 285 40 0.375 205 225 40
0.200 263 283 40 0.500 200 220 35
0.218 260 280 40 0.625 195 215 30
0.250 255 275 40 A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
0.312 250 270 40 B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (.105 in.).
0.375 245 265 40
0.438 240 260 35
0.500 235 255 35 water that has been heated to approximately 80°C for a
0.562 233 253 30
0.625 231 251 30 sufficient length of time to remove up to approximately 1 % of
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
the diameter of the wire. Test ends shall be examined using
B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (0.105 in.). 103 magnification.
8.1.4 Eddy Current Testing—Upon the agreement of the
producer and the purchaser, round wire 3.0 mm (0.120 in.) and
8. Metallurgical Requirements larger shall be 100 % eddy current tested with a rotary probe or
8.1 Surface Condition: a stationary coil, or both. The depth of surface defects to be
8.1.1 The surface of the wire as received shall be free of detected shall also be agreed upon by the producer and
imperfections such as seams, pits, die marks, scratches, and purchaser. Defects equal to or deeper than this depth shall be
other surface defects that are deeper than 1 % of the wire marked with some means of identification, such as ink or paint,
diameter for round wire or 1 % of the equivalent round to facilitate removal at a later stage in the processing.
diameter for shaped and flat rolled wire. 8.2 Decarburization:
8.1.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken 8.2.1 Transverse sections of the wire when properly
from each end of every coil. mounted, polished and etched shall show maximum complete
8.1.3 Test Method—The surface shall be examined after decarburization of 0.3 % of the wire diameter for round wires
etching in a solution of equal parts of hydrochloric acid and and 0.3 % of the equivalent round for shaped and flat rolled

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 A 1000 – 05
TABLE 5 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Chrome Vanadium) 8.2.2 Test Method—Decarburization shall be determined by
SI Units etching a suitably polished transverse section of wire with
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction Of area nital. The entire periphery to be examined should be in a single
1.0 1860 2030 B plane with no edge rounding.
2.0 1760 1930 B
8.2.3 The entire periphery shall be examined at a magnifi-
3.0 1650 1790 45 cation of no less than 1003 for depth of free ferrite and total
4.0 1620 1760 40
4.5 1590 1730 40 affected depth. Smaller wire sizes may require higher magni-
5.5 1520 1660 40 fication. Measure the worst area present excluding decarbur-
6.5 1480 1620 40 ization associated with seams or other surface imperfections,
8.0 1450 1590 40
Complete decarburization exists when only free ferrite is
Inch-Pound Units
present. Partial decarburization exists when ferrite is found
Reduction of area, mixed with pearlite or tempered martensite. Structures of
Diameter, in. kSI, min kSI, max
min %
B
100 % tempered martensite shall be defined as not decarbur-
0.040 270 295
0.080 255 280 B ized.
0.120 240 260 45 8.2.4 Decarburization shall be checked on annealed wire by
0.156 235 255 40 giving a wire sample an austenitize, oil quench and temper heat
0.177 230 250 40
0.218 220 240 40
treatment. A flat shall be ground on the sample prior to heat
0.250 215 235 40 treatment. The flat shall have a minimum width equal to one
0.312 210 230 40 half of the wire diameter. Any decarburization visible on this
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated. ground section shall necessitate a retest with new samples. If
B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (0.105 in.). no decarburization is visible on the ground flat, evaluate the
complete wire section in accordance with 8.2.3.
TABLE 6 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Chromium Silicon 8.3 Inclusion Content:
Vanadium)
8.3.1 Restrictions on inclusion content may be agreed upon
SI Units by the producer and the purchaser. It is recommended that
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction Of area methods be used that are relevant for spring wire applications
1.0 2200 2370 B
such as maximum thickness (Max ‘t’) and inclusion count
B
1.5 2170 2340 techniques (Swedish Method). These should concentrate on
2.5 2100 2270 40
3.0 2070 2210 40 non-deformable inclusions, the thickness (transverse to the
4.0 2030 2170 40 longitudinal wire axis) of inclusions and the condition in areas
4.5 2000 2140 35 near to the wire surface. The application of Practice E 45 to this
5.0 1960 2100 35
5.5 1930 2070 35 requirement is not recommended.
6.5 1900 2040 35
8.0 1860 2000 30 9. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
9.5 1830 1970 30
11.0 1790 1930 30 9.1 The permissible variations in the dimensions of the wire
12.5 1760 1900 30 shall be as specified in Table 1.
14.0 1720 1860 30 9.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken from
16.0 1690 1830 30
each end of every coil.
Inch-Pound Units

Diameter, in. kSI, min kSI, max

Reduction of area, 10. Workmanship, Finish and Appearance
min %
B
10.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn—The wire shall not be
0.040 320 345
0.060 315 340 B kinked or improperly cast. To test for cast, a few convolutions
0.105 305 330 40 of wire shall be cut loose from the coil and placed on a flat
0.120 300 320 40 surface. The wire shall lie substantially flat on itself and not
0.156 295 315 40
0.177 290 310 35
spring up nor show a wavy condition.
0.200 285 305 35 10.2 Oil Tempered—The wire shall be uniform in quality
0.218 280 300 35 and temper and shall not be wavy or crooked.
0.250 275 295 35
0.312 270 290 30
10.3 Each coil shall be one continuous length of wire
0.375 265 285 30 properly coiled and firmly tied.
0.438 260 280 30 10.4 No welds are permitted in the finished product and any
0.500 255 275 30
0.562 250 270 30
welds made during processing must be removed.
0.625 245 265 30
A
11. Retests
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (0.105 in.). 11.1 If any test specimen exhibits obvious defects it may be
discarded and another specimen substituted.

wire. Partial decarburization should not exceed a depth of 12. Inspection

1.5 % of the diameter for round wires and 1.5 % of the 12.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
equivalent round diameter for shaped and flat rolled wire. order, the manufacturer is responsible for the performance of

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 A 1000 – 05
all inspection and test requirements specified in this specifica- 15. Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment
tion. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
15.1 The coil mass, dimensions, and the method of packag-
order, the manufacturer may use his own or any other suitable
ing shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and
facilities for the performance of the inspection and test
purchaser.
requirements unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time
the order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to 15.2 The size of the wire, purchaser’s order number, ASTM
perform any of the inspection and tests set forth in this specification number, heat number, and name or mark of the
specification when such inspections and tests are deemed manufacturer shall be marked on a tag securely attached to
necessary to ensure that the material conforms to prescribed each coil of wire.
requirements. 15.3 Unless otherwise specified in the purchaser’s order,
packaging, marking, and loading for shipments shall be in
13. Rejection and Rehearing accordance with those procedures recommended by Practices
13.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests A 700.
made in accordance with these specifications shall be reported 15.4 For Government Procurement—Packaging, packing,
to the manufacturer as soon as possible so that an investigation and marking of material for military procurement shall be in
may be initiated. accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-163, Level A,
13.2 The material must be adequately protected and cor- Level C, or commercial as specified in the contract or purchase
rectly identified in order that the manufacturer may make a order. Marking for shipment of material for civil agencies shall
proper investigation. be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123.
14. Certification 15.5 Bar Coding—In addition to the previously stated
identification requirements, bar coding is acceptable as a
14.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a
supplementary identification method. Bar coding should be
manufacturer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to
consistent with AIAG Standard 02.00, Primary Metals Identi-
the purchaser that the material was manufactured, sampled,
fication Tag Application. The bar code may be applied to a
tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and
substantially affixed tag.
has been found to meet the requirements. When specified in the
purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall be
16. Keywords
furnished.
14.2 The certification shall include the specification num- 16.1 alloy; eddy current; flat rolled; inclusion content;
ber, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any. oil-tempered; shaped wire

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue,
A 1000 – 99, that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Jan. 1, 2005.)

(1) Revised chemical composition for Grade D in Table 2.

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