Designation: A232/A232M − 05 (Reapproved 2011)´1

Standard Specification for

Chromium-Vanadium Alloy Steel Valve Spring Quality Wire1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A232/A232M; 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 Department of Defense.

´1 NOTE—Units were re-ordered editorially throughout in July 2011.

1. Scope* 2.3 Federal Standard:4

1.1 This specification covers the highest quality of round Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
chromium-vanadium alloy steel valve spring wire, uniform in 2.4 Military Standard:4
quality and temper, intended for the manufacture of valve MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
springs and other springs requiring high-fatigue properties ment and Storage
when used at moderately elevated temperatures. This wire shall 2.5 AIAG Standard:5
be either in the annealed and cold-drawn or oil-tempered AIAG B-5 02.00 Primary Metals Identification Tag Applica-
condition as specified by the purchaser. tion Standard
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in 3. Ordering Information
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each 3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining include the following information for each ordered item:
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 3.1.1 Quantity (mass),
with the standard.
3.1.2 Name of material (chromium-vanadium alloy steel
valve spring quality wire),
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.3 Dimensions (Table 1 and Section 8),
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 3.1.4 Condition (Section 6),
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 3.1.5 Packaging (Section 14),
of Steel Products 3.1.6 Heat analysis report, if requested (5.2),
A700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Meth- 3.1.7 Certification or test report, or both, if specified (Sec-
ods for Steel Products for Shipment tion 13), and
A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi- 3.1.8 ASTM designation and year of issue.
cal Analysis of Steel Products
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: For inch-pound
units, 40 000 lb oil-tempered chromium-vanadium alloy steel valve spring
Determine Conformance with Specifications quality wire, size 0.250 in. in 350-lb coils to ASTM A232/A232M dated
2.2 ANSI Standard:3 ______; or for SI units, 20 000 kg oil-tempered chromium-vanadium alloy
B 32.4 Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rectangle, steel valve spring quality wire, size 6.00 mm in 150 kg coils to ASTM
A232/A232M dated _______.
and Hexagon Metal Products
4. Materials and Manufacture
1
4.1 The steel may be made by any commercially accepted
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee steel making process. The steel shall be continuously cast.
A01.03 on Steel Rod and Wire. 4.2 The finished wire shall be free from detrimental pipe
Current edition approved July 1, 2011. Published July 2011. Originally approved
in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A232/A232M – 05. DOI: and undue segregation.
10.1520/A0232_A0232M-05R11E01.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
the ASTM website. Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098.
3 5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., Available from Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), 26200 Lahser Rd.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48034.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 A232/A232M − 05 (2011)´1
TABLE 1 Tensile RequirementsA TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
SI Units Product
Reduction Analysis, % Analysis
Diameter,B mm MPa, min MPa, max of Area, Tolerance, %
min, % Carbon 0.48–0.53 ±0.02
0.50 2060 2260 C Manganese 0.70–0.90 ±0.03
0.55 2050 2240 C Phosphorus 0.020 max +0.005
0.60 2030 2220 C Sulfur 0.035 max +0.005
0.65 2010 2200 C Silicon 0.15–0.35 ±0.02
0.70 2000 2160 C Chromium 0.80–1.10 ±0.05
0.80 1980 2140 C Vanadium 0.15 min −0.01
C
0.90 1960 2120
C
1.00 1940 2100
C
1.10 1920 2080
C
1.20 1900 2060
C
1.40 1860 2020
1.60 1820 1980 C When requested, this shall be reported to the purchaser and
1.80 1800 1960 C shall conform to the requirements of Table 2.
C
2.00 1780 1930
2.20 1750 1900 C 5.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the
2.50 1720 1860 45 purchaser from finished wire representing each heat of steel.
2.80 1680 1830 45 The average of all the separate determinations made shall be
3.00 1660 1800 45
3.50 1620 1760 45 within the limits specified in the analysis column. Individual
4.00 1580 1720 40 determinations may vary to the extent shown in the product
4.50 1560 1680 40 analysis tolerance column, except that the several determina-
5.00 1520 1640 40
5.50 1480 1620 40 tions of a single element in any one heat shall not vary both
6.00 1460 1600 40 above and below the specified range.
6.50 1440 1580 40
7.00 1420 1560 40 5.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and
8.00 1400 1540 40 Terminology A751 shall be used.
9.00 1380 1520 40
10.00 1360 1500 40
11.00 1340 1480 40 6. Mechanical Properties
12.00 1320 1460 40
6.1 Annealed and Cold-Drawn—When purchased in the
Inch-Pound Units annealed and cold-drawn condition, the wire shall have been
given a sufficient amount of cold working to meet the purchas-
Reduction
Diameter, in. ksi, min ksi, max of Area,
er’s coiling requirements and shall be in a suitable condition to
min, % respond properly to heat treatment. In special cases the
C
0.020 300 325 hardness, if desired, shall be stated in the purchase order.
C
0.032 290 315
0.041 280 305 C
6.2 Oil Tempered—When purchased in the oil-tempered
C
0.054 270 295 condition, the tensile strength and minimum percent reduction
C
0.062 265 290
0.080 255 275 C of area, sizes 0.105 in. [2.50 mm] and coarser, of the wire shall
0.105 245 265 45 conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1.
0.135 235 255 45
0.162 225 245 40
6.2.1 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for
0.192 220 240 40 each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each heat in a given
0.244 210 230 40 lot shall be tested.
0.283 205 225 40
0.312 203 223 40
6.2.2 Location of Tests—Test specimens shall be taken from
0.375 200 220 40 either end of the coil.
0.438 195 215 40 6.2.3 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in
0.500 190 210 40
accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370.
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
B
Preferred sizes. For a complete list, refer to ANSI B32.4. 6.3 Wrap Test:
C
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire diameters under 0.092 in. 6.3.1 Oil-tempered or cold-drawn wire 0.162 in. [4.00 mm]
[2.34 mm].
and smaller in diameter shall wind on itself as an arbor without
breakage. Larger diameter wire up to and including 0.312 in.
[8.00 mm] in diameter shall wrap without breakage on a
mandrel twice the wire diameter. The wrap test is not appli-
5. Chemical Composition cable to wire over 0.312 in. [8.00 mm] in diameter.
6.3.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for
5.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each heat in a given
composition specified in Table 2. lot shall be tested.
5.2 Heat Analysis—Each heat of steel shall be analyzed by 6.3.3 Location of Test—Test specimens shall be taken from
the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements either end of the coil.
prescribed in Table 2. This analysis shall be made from a test 6.3.4 Test Method—The wrap test shall be made in accor-
specimen preferably taken during the pouring of the heat. dance with Test Methods and Definitions A370.

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 A232/A232M − 05 (2011)´1
6.4 Special Surface Inspection—When specified, the entire TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Wire DiameterA
length of every coil shall be inspected for surface imperfections SI Units
with a magnetic or eddy current defect analyzer, or both, or Permissible
Permissible
Variations,
equivalent. The defect depth of this surface inspection shall be Diameter, mm
plus and
Out-of-Round,
agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser. All mm
minus, mm
detected defects shall be properly marked so the purchaser has
the ability to identify and discard that length of wire. to 2.0, incl 0.02 0.02
Over 2.0 to 4.00, incl 0.03 0.03
7. Metallurgical Requirements Over 4.00 to 9.00, incl 0.04 0.04
Over 9.00 0.05 0.05
7.1 Surface Condition:
Inch-Pound Units
7.1.1 The surface of the wire as received shall be free of
imperfections such as pits, die marks, scratches, seams, and Permissible Permissible
other defects tending to impair the fatigue value of the springs. Diameter, in. Variations, Out-of-Round,
plus and in.
7.1.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken minus, in.
from each end of every coil.
7.1.3 Test Method—The surface shall be examined after 0.020 to 0.075, incl 0.0008 0.0008
Over 0.075 to 0.148, incl 0.001 0.001
etching in a solution of equal parts of hydrochloric acid and Over 0.148 to 0.375, incl 0.0015 0.0015
water that has been heated to approximately 80°C for up to 2 Over 0.375 to 0.500, incl 0.002 0.002
min in order to remove the oxide scale layer from the wire A
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified
surface. Test ends shall be examined using 10× magnification. limits are absolute as defined in Practice E29.

7.2 Decarburization:
7.2.1 Transverse sections of the wire properly mounted,
polished, and etched shall show no completely decarburized
(carbon-free) areas when examined at 100× magnification. of wire shall be cut loose from the coil and placed on a flat
Partial decarburization shall not exceed a depth of 0.001 in. surface. The wire shall lie substantially flat on itself and not
[0.025 mm] on wire 0.192 in. [5.00 mm] and smaller or 0.0015 spring up nor show a wavy condition.
in. [0.038 mm] on larger than 0.192 in. [5.00 mm]. Measure the
worst area present excluding decarburization associated with 9.2 Oil Tempered—The wire shall be uniform in quality and
seams or other surface imperfections. Complete decarburiza- temper and shall not be wavy or crooked.
tion exists when only free ferrite is present. Partial decarbur- 9.3 Each coil shall be one continuous length of wire
ization exists when ferrite is found mixed with pearlite or properly coiled and firmly tied.
tempered martensite. Structures of 100 % tempered martensite
9.4 No welds are permitted in the finished product and any
shall be defined as not decarburized.
welds made during processing must be removed.
7.2.2 To reveal the decarburization more accurately in the
untempered wire, the specimen shall be hardened and tempered
10. Retests
before microscopical examination. Prior to hardening, the
specimen shall be filed flat on one side enough to reduce the 10.1 If any test specimen exhibits obvious defects it may be
diameter at least 20 %. The subsequent mounted specimen discarded and another specimen substituted.
shall show the flattened section, as well as the original wire
edge. Any decarburization on this flattened section shall 11. Inspection
necessitate a new specimen for examination. 11.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
7.2.3 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for order, the manufacturer is responsible for the performance of
each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each in a given lot all inspection and test requirements specified in this specifica-
shall be tested. tion. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
7.2.4 Location of Tests—Test specimens may be taken from order, the manufacturer may use his own or any other suitable
either end of the coil. facilities for the performance of the inspection and test
7.3 Microstructure—A longitudinal section shall show a fine requirements unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time
homogeneous tempered martensitic structure. the order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to
perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in this
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations specification when such inspections and tests are deemed
8.1 The permissible variations in the diameter of the wire necessary to assure that the material conforms to prescribed
shall be as specified in Table 3. requirements.
8.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken from
each end of every coil. 12. Rejection and Rehearing
12.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests
9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance made in accordance with these specifications shall be reported
9.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn—The wire shall not be to the manufacturer as soon as possible so that an investigation
kinked or improperly cast. To test for cast, a few convolutions may be initiated.

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 A232/A232M − 05 (2011)´1
12.2 The material must be adequately protected and cor- 14.3 Unless otherwise specified in the purchaser’s order,
rectly identified in order that the manufacturer may make a packaging, marking, and loading for shipments shall be in
proper investigation. accordance with those procedures recommended by Practices
13. Certification A700.
13.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a 14.4 For Government Procurement—Packaging, packing,
manufacturer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to and marking of material for military procurement shall be in
the purchaser that the material was manufactured, sampled, accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-163, Level A,
tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and Level C, or commercial as specified in the contract or purchase
has been found to meet the requirements. When specified in the order. Marking for shipment of material for civil agencies shall
purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall be be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123.
furnished.
14.5 Bar Coding—In addition to the previously-stated iden-
13.2 The certification shall include the specification num- tification requirements, bar coding is acceptable as a supple-
ber, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any. mentary identification method. Bar coding should be consistent
14. Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment with AIAG B-5 02.00, Primary Metals Identification Tag
14.1 The coil mass, dimensions, and the method of packag- Application. The bar code may be applied to a substantially
ing shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and affixed tag.
purchaser.
15. Keywords
14.2 The size of the wire, purchaser’s order number, ASTM
specification number, heat number, and name or mark of the 15.1 alloy; chromium-vanadium; valve spring; wire
manufacturer shall be marked on a tag securely attached to
each coil of wire.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes made to this standard since the last issue,
A232 A232M – 05, that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2011.)

(1) Units’ orders changed throughout.

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