AEROSPACE AMS 2301J

MATERIAL Issued JAN 1960

SPECIFICATION Revised
Reaffirmed
OCT 2001
MAR 2006

Superseding AMS 2301H

Steel Cleanliness, Aircraft Quality

Magnetic Particle Inspection Procedure

1. SCOPE:

1.1 Purpose:

This specification covers steel cleanliness requirements in inch/pound units for aircraft-quality ferro-
magnetic steels, other than hardenable corrosion-resistant steels, by magnetic particle inspection
methods.

1.1.1 MAM 2301 is the metric version of this AMS.

1.2 Application:

This procedure has been used typically for the cleanliness evaluation of blooms, billets, tube rounds,
stock for forging or flash welded rings, slabs, bars, sheet, strip, plate, tubing, and extrusions used in
fabricating parts subject to magnetic particle inspection, but may be used for qualification of a heat,
melt, or lot of steel.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS:

The issue of the following documents in effect on the date of the purchase order forms a part of this
specification to the extent specified herein. The supplier may work to a subsequent revision of a
document unless a specific document issue is specified. When the referenced document has been
canceled and no superseding document has been specified, the last published issue of that document
shall apply.

2.1 ASTM Publications:

Available from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

ASTM E 10 Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials

ASTM E 1444 Magnetic Particle Examination

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.
Copyright © 2006 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.

TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada)

Tel: 724-776-4970 (outside USA)
Fax: 724-776-0790
Email: [email protected]
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
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2.2 ANSI Publications:

Available from American National Standards Institute, Inc., 25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY
10036-8002.

ANSI B46.1 Surface Texture

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1 Specimen Preparation:

3.1.1 Heat Qualification: Sampling shall be in accordance with 4.3.1. Samples shall be converted into
test specimens in accordance with 3.1.3.

3.1.2 Product Qualification: Product from a heat not qualified based on sampling as in 4.3.1 shall be
sampled in accordance with 4.3.2. Samples shall be converted into test specimens in accordance
with 3.1.3.

3.1.3 Working and Rough Machining:

3.1.3.1 Solid Product 12 Inches and Over in Nominal Diameter or Distance Between Parallel Sides: A
quarter-section shall be cut from each sample sufficiently oversized that the center of the original
sample will be approximately on the surface of the specimen after generating to test size. The
quarter-section shall then be forged to a 3 to 6 inch round or square, maintaining the axis of the
forging approximately parallel to the original direction of rolling. As an alternate method, the full
section may be rolled or forged to a 6-inch round or square and an oversize quarter obtained as
in 3.1.3.3. Specimens shall be rough machined to a “one-step” straight cylinder nominally 5
inches long. Minimum stock removal shall be consistent with the machining allowance specified
in 3.1.4.

3.1.3.2 Solid Product Over 6 to 12 Inches, Exclusive, in Nominal Diameter or Distance Between Parallel
Sides Except Slabs and Plates: A quarter-section shall be cut from each sample sufficiently
oversize that the center of the original sample will be approximately on the surface of the
specimen after generating to test size. The quarter-section shall be converted into a test
specimen by machining, or forging and machining, to a 3 to 6 inch round or square. Specimens
shall be rough machined to a “one-step” straight cylinder nominally 5 inches long. Minimum
stock removal shall be consistent with the machining allowance specified in 3.1.4.

3.1.3.3 Solid Product 6 Inches and Under in Nominal Diameter or Distance Between Parallel Sides
Except Flat Bars, Slabs, and Plates: A quarter-section shall be cut from each sample sufficiently
oversize that the center of the original sample will be approximately on the surface of the
specimen after generating to test size. The quarter-section shall be converted into a test
specimen by machining to a “one-step” straight cylinder nominally 5 inches long. Minimum stock
removal shall be consistent with the machining allowance specified in 3.1.4.

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3.1.3.3.1 As an alternate method, a step-down specimen may be generated from the full cross-section in
equal length circumferential steps as shown in Table 1, consistent with the machining
allowance specified in 3.1.4.

TABLE 1 - Stepdown Specimens, Cylindrical

Nominal
Diameter or Distance Step Step Step Step Step Step
Between Parallel Sides Length Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
Inches Inches 1 2 3 4 5
0.250 to 0.500, incl 5.000 D -- -- -- --
Over 0.500 to 0.750, incl 2.500 D 2/3D -- -- --
Over 0.750 to 1.000, incl 1.665 D 3/4D 1/2D -- --
Over 1.000 to 1.500, incl 1.250 D 4/5D 3/5D 2/5D --
Over 1.500 1.000 D 4/5D 3/5D 2/5D 1/5D
D = Original diameter or distance between parallel sides minus machining stock removed.

3.1.3.4 Flat Bars: The type of test and the location in the section shall be as agreed upon by purchaser
and vendor. A step-down specimen may be generated from the full cross-section in equal length
steps as shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 - Stepdown Specimens, Flat Bar

Nominal Step Step Step Step Step Step
Thickness Length Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness
Inches Inches 1 2 3 4 5
Up to 0.250, incl 5.000 T -- -- -- --
Over 0.250 to 0.500, incl 2.500 T 2/3T -- -- --
Over 0.500 to 1.000, incl 1.250 T 3/4T 1/2T 1/4T --
Over 1.000 1.000 T 4/5T 3/5T 2/5T 1/5T
T = Original nominal thickness minus machining stock removed.

3.1.3.5 Slabs or Plates: A straight cylindrical or rectangular specimen shall be machined, or forged and
machined, from each slab or plate tested. The specimen shall be taken essentially parallel to the
direction of rolling, midway between edge and center of the slab or plate width, shall be nominally
5 inches in length, and shall be not more than 4 inches in final diameter or thickness.

3.1.3.5.1 Product Up to 4 Inches, Inclusive, in Nominal Thickness: A straight cylindrical specimen shall
represent the full thickness consistent with the machining allowance specified in 3.1.4.3.

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3.1.3.5.2 Product Over 4 to 8 Inches, Inclusive, in Nominal Thickness: A straight cylindrical specimen
shall represent surface to mid-thickness consistent with the machining allowance specified in
3.1.4.3.

3.1.3.5.3 Product Over 8 Inches in Nominal Thickness: A straight cylindrical specimen shall be taken so
that the axis is approximately midway between the surface and mid-thickness, and shall have a
diameter equal to one-third the nominal thickness of the section.

3.1.3.6 Tubing:

3.1.3.6.1 10 inches and Under in Nominal OD: Specimens nominally 5 inches in length shall be
machined to straight cylindrical sections in accordance with 3.1.4.2.1.

3.1.3.6.2 Over 10 Inches in Nominal OD with Nominal Wall Thickness Up to 2 Inches,

Inclusive: Specimens nominally 5 inches in length shall be machined to straight cylindrical
sections in accordance with 3.1.4.2.2.

3.1.3.6.3 Over 10 Inches in Nominal OD with Nominal Wall Thickness Over 2 to 4 Inches,
Inclusive: Specimens nominally 5 inches in length representing the full cross-section, less the
machining allowance specified in 3.1.4.2.2, shall be machined to straight cylindrical sections.

3.1.3.6.4 Over 10 Inches in Nominal OD with Nominal Wall Thickness Over 4 Inches: Specimens
nominally 5 inches in length, representing the inside surface to the mid-thickness of the wall,
less the machining allowance specified in 3.1.4.2.2, shall be machined to straight cylindrical
sections.

3.1.4 Machining:

3.1.4.1 Product Other Than Tubing, Flat Bars, and Slab and Plates Over 8 Inches Thick: The converted
sample shall be machined to conform to the allowance shown in Table 3 for surface removal,
allowing 0.010 inch on each side for finish machining after heat treatment.

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TABLE 3 - Stock Removal

Nominal
Diameter or Distance Minimum
Between Parallel Sides Stock Removal
Inches Inch per Side
0.250 to 0.500, incl 0.030
Over 0.500 to 0.750, incl 0.045
Over 0.750 to 1.000, incl 0.060
Over 1.000 to 1.500, incl 0.075
Over 1.500 to 2.000, incl 0.090
Over 2.000 to 2.500, incl 0.125
Over 2.500 to 3.500, incl 0.156
Over 3.500 to 4.500, incl 0.187
Over 4.500 to 6.000, incl 0.250

3.1.4.2 Tubing:

3.1.4.2.1 10 Inches and Under in Nominal OD: Tubing with nominal wall thickness under 0.250 inch shall
have 10% of the wall thickness or 0.015 inch, whichever is less, removed from the OD after
heat treatment. Samples from tubing with nominal wall thickness of 0.250 inch and over shall
be machined to conform to the stock removal requirement shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 - Stock Removal

Machined Diameter Minimum Stock Removal
Inches Inch per Side
Up to 2-1/2, incl 0.044
Over 2-1/2 to 3-1/2, incl 0.046
Over 3-1/2 to 4-1/2, incl 0.052
Over 4-1/2 to 5-1/2, incl 0.057
Over 5-1/2 to 6-1/2, incl 0.064
Over 6-1/2 to 8, incl 0.074
Over 8 to 10, incl 0.087

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3.1.4.2.2 Tubing Over 10 Inches in Nominal OD: Tubing 4 inches and under in nominal wall thickness
shall be turned to straight cylindrical sections representing the full cross-section of the wall,
less allowance of 0.150 inch stock removal on the OD and ID and allowing 0.010 inch on each
side for finish machining after heat treatment. Samples from tubing with nominal wall thickness
over 4 inches shall be turned to cylindrical sections representing the cross section from the OD
to mid-thickness of the wall less allowance of 0.150 inch stock removal on the OD, and allowing
0.010 inch on each side for finish machining after heat treatment.

3.1.4.3 Flat Bars, Slabs, and Plates: Allowance of 20% of the nominal thickness or 0.100 inch,
whichever is less, shall be made for minimum stock removal, allowing 0.010 inch on each side for
finish machining after heat treatment.

3.1.5 Heat Treatment: Rough machined specimens shall, if necessary, be heat treated by suitable
austenitizing, quenching, and tempering or by solution and precipitation heat treating to produce
hardness of 248 to 352 HB or appropriate lower hardness for steel of low hardenability. Hardness
testing shall be in accordance with ASTM E 10. Specimens shall be austenitized in a neutral or
slightly reducing atmosphere. Following heat treatment, surface scale may be removed by grit
blasting or other acceptable method.

3.1.6 Finish Machining: The heat treated specimens shall be finished machined to surface texture not
rougher than 40 microinches AA, determined in accordance with ANSI B46.1. Rateable surface of
specimens shall be nominally 5 inches in length. The ends of the specimen shall be finished to
provide good electrical contact.

3.2 Inspection:

Magnetic particle inspection shall be performed in accordance with ASTM E 1444 by the circular,
wet, continuous method (See 8.3) using 800 to 1200 amperes per inch of diameter. If the stepdown
bar (3.1.3.3.1 or 3.1.3.4) is used, the smallest step shall be magnetized and inspected first; the larger
steps shall be magnetized and inspected individually in succession of increasing size until all steps
have been evaluated. If a longitudinal slice from slab or plate, as in 3.1.3.5 is used, only the
longitudinal surfaces perpendicular to the two faces of the slab or plate shall be inspected.

3.2.1 Cleanliness standards presented herein govern nonmetallic inclusions only (See 8.3). Product
which, during inspection, reveals indications representing actual ruptures, such as cracks, seams,
laminations, and laps, will be subject to rejection except where these defects result from sample
preparation.

3.2.2 The results of the magnetic particle inspection shall be appropriately recorded. All recorded results
shall be identified, filed, and made available to purchaser upon request.

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3.3 Evaluation of Steel Cleanliness:

After inspection, each indication 1/16 inch and over in length shall be recorded. The frequency
(number) and severity (size) of the indications shall be calculated as follows:

3.3.1 Frequency (F):

3.3.1.1 The number of indications per test specimen is totaled.

3.3.1.2 The frequency rating of each specimen is determined by dividing the total number of indications
for each specimen by the test surface area of the specimen in square inches.

3.3.1.3 The frequency ratings for all test specimens from a heat are totaled.

3.3.1.4 The average frequency (F) equals the total frequency rating for all test specimens from a heat
divided by the number of test specimens.

3.3.2 Severity (S):

3.3.2.1 The length of each indication is recorded.

3.3.2.2 The product for each specimen is computed by totaling the product of the number of indications
times the appropriate progression factor shown in Table 5:

TABLE 5 - Progression Factor for Severity Rating

Length of Indication Progression
Inches Factor
1/16 to 1/8, incl 0.5
Over 1/8 to 1/4, incl 1
Over 1/4 to 1/2, incl 2
Over 1/2 to 3/4, incl 4
Over 3/4 to 1, incl 8
Over 1 to 1-1/2, incl 16

3.3.2.2.1 Specimens which contain indications representing nonmetallic inclusions over 1-1/2 inches in
length shall be subject to rejection.

3.3.2.3 The severity rating for specimen is determined by dividing the product for each specimen by the
test surface area of the specimen in square inches.

3.3.2.4 The severity ratings for all test specimens from a heat are totaled.

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3.3.2.5 The average severity (S) equals the total severity rating for all test specimens from a heat divided
by the number of test specimens.

3.4 Disposition:

Product inspected in accordance with this specification shall conform to the following maximum
frequency and severity ratings:

3.4.1 Heat Qualification (Reference 4.3.1):

3.4.1.1 Product Other Than Slab, Sheet, Strip, and Plate:

3.4.1.1.1 Individual Test Bar: Shall be as shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 - Maximum Frequency and Severity Ratings

Carbon Content Frequency Severity
Percent Rating Rating
Up to 0.25, excl 0.75 0.75
0.25 and over 0.67 0.55

3.4.1.1.2 Average of All Test Bars From a Heat: Shall be as shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 - Maximum Frequency and Severity Ratings

Carbon Content Frequency Severity
Percent Rating Rating
Up to 0.25, excl 0.37 0.28
0.25 and over 0.34 0.25

3.4.1.2 Slab and Plate: Shall be as shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 - Maximum Frequency and Severity Ratings

Average of All Average of All
Tests From a Heat Tests From a Heat
Frequency Severity
0.80 0.67

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3.4.2 Product Qualification (Reference 4.3.2):

3.4.2.1 Product Other Than Sheet, Strip, and Plate:

3.4.2.1.1 Individual Test Bar: Shall be as shown in Table 9.

TABLE 9 - Maximum Frequency and Severity Ratings

Product Nominal Diameter Carbon Content Frequency Severity
Inches Percent Rating Rating
Up to 2.500, excl Up to 0.25, excl 1.10 1.05
0.25 and over 1.00 0.95

2.500 and over Up to 0.25, excl 0.80 0.80

0.25 and over 0.80 0.67

3.4.2.1.2 Average of All Test Bars From a Heat: Shall be as shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 - Maximum Frequency and Severity Ratings

Product Nominal Diameter Carbon Content Frequency Severity
Inches Percent Rating Rating
1.000 to 2.500, incl Up to 0.25, excl 0.90 0.85
0.25 and over 0.85 0.80

Over 2.500 to 4.000, incl Up to 0.25, excl 0.60 0.55

0.25 and over 0.55 0.50

Over 4.000 Up to 0.25, excl 0.37 0.28

0.25 and over 0.34 0.25

3.4.2.1.2.1 Product under 1.000 inch in nominal diameter or distance between parallel sides, inspected
using the straight cylindrical test bars or product under 16 square inches in cross-sectional
area, inspected by the alternate step-down specimen (3.1.3.3.1) shall have maximum
average frequency and severity ratings agreed upon by purchaser and vendor.

3.4.2.2 Plate: Shall conform to the ratings specified in 3.4.1.2.

3.4.2.3 Sheet and Strip: Shall have maximum individual and average frequency and severity ratings
agreed upon by purchaser and vendor.

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3.4.3 Product inspected in accordance with this specification and having frequency or severity, or both,
ratings exceeding the specified limits may be reevaluated for specific applications when permitted
by purchaser. Evaluation of any one or two steps of the alternate stepdown specimen may be
waived by purchaser when the area represented is not considered critical for the end product.

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS:

4.1 Responsibility for Inspection:

The vendor of the product shall supply all samples for vendor's tests and shall be responsible for the
performance of all required tests. Purchaser reserves the right to sample and to perform any
confirmatory testing deemed necessary to ensure that the product conforms to specified
requirements.

4.2 Classification of Tests:

All applicable technical requirements are acceptance tests.

4.2.1 Heat Qualification: Tests in accordance with 4.3.1, to determine conformance to "heat qualification"
requirements, if acceptable, need be conducted only once on each heat.

4.2.1.1 Heats which have been qualified as semi-finished product shall be considered qualified for
finished product.

4.2.2 Product Qualification: Tests on product not "heat qualified" shall be conducted on product of each
size and shape of each lot made from each heat.

4.3 Sampling and Testing:

The sampling procedure for heat qualification as described in 4.3.1 shall be performed by the
producer. No further sampling by the producer shall be required from a heat which meets the
requirements of 3.4.1. Sampling procedure on product not “heat qualified” shall be as described in
4.3.2.

4.3.1 Heat Qualification:

4.3.1.1 Heats of Top-Poured Ingots: Samples shall be taken from semi-finished or finished product
representing the top and bottom of the first ingot and last usable ingot from heats having not
more than 10 ingots, or not over 60,000 pounds, or from portions of heats within these limits; and
from the top and bottom of the first, middle, and last usable ingot of heats having more than 10
ingots or over 60,000 pounds.

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4.3.1.2 Heats of Bottom-Poured Ingots: Samples shall be taken from semi-finished or finished product
representing the top and bottom of three ingots. One ingot shall be taken at random from the first
usable plate poured, one ingot at random from the usable plate poured nearest to the middle of
the heat, and one ingot at random from the last usable plate poured. When a heat consists of
two usable plates, two of the sample ingots shall be selected from the second usable plate
poured. When a heat consists of a single usable plate, any three random ingots may be
selected.

4.3.1.2.1 If there are less than three ingots in the heat, samples shall be taken representing the top and
bottom of all ingots.

4.3.1.3 Strand-Cast Heats: Samples shall be taken from semi-finished or finished product having at least
a 3:1 reduction in cross-section from the cast strand, or samples of the as-cast strand similarly
reduced, representing the front, middle, and back of both strands when two strands are cast, or
of an inside strand and an outside strand when more than two strands are cast. When a single
strand is cast, six samples having at least a 3:1 reduction from the cast strand, or samples of the
cast strand similarly reduced, representing both ends of the first, middle, and last usable cuts
(blooms) of the strand or product shall be taken.

4.3.2 Product Qualification: Samples shall be taken at random from not less than 10% of the pieces of
each lot. A lot shall be all product of one size from one heat in one shipment. Not less than three
nor more than ten samples shall be selected from a lot, except that if the quantity in the lot is three
pieces or less, one sample shall be taken from each piece.

4.4 Reports:

The vendor of the product shall include the AMS 2301J frequency-severity rating for each lot in the
shipment in addition to other information required by the applicable material specification.

4.5 Resampling and Retesting:

4.5.1 Product Other Than Slabs, Plates, Sheet, and Strip: If any specimen used in the above tests fails
to meet the specified requirements, disposition of the heat or lot may be based on the results of
testing three additional specimens for each original nonconforming specimen; additional
specimens shall be as follows:

4.5.1.1 Heats of Top-Poured Ingots: One of the additional specimens shall be taken from the same
position from product from each of the two available ingots most immediately adjacent in pouring
sequence to that from which the originally nonconforming specimen was taken. The third
specimen shall be taken from product of the original nonconforming ingot after additional discard.
Should the latter specimen be unacceptable, resampling and retesting of the nonconforming
ingot may be repeated after as many consecutive discards as necessary to obtain acceptable
results. Should any of the adjacent ingot tests fail to meet specified requirements, resampling
and retesting of these ingots will be permitted using the procedure specified for the original
nonconforming ingot.

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4.5.1.2 Heats of Bottom-Poured Ingots: One of the additional specimens shall be taken from the same
position from product from each of the two available ingots most immediately adjacent to that
from which the originally nonconforming specimen was taken. The third specimen shall be taken
from product of the original nonconforming ingot after additional discard. Should the latter
specimen be unacceptable, resampling and retesting of the nonconforming ingot may be
repeated after as many consecutive discards as necessary to obtain acceptable results. Should
any of the adjacent ingot tests fail to meet specified requirements, resampling and retesting of
those ingots will be permitted using the procedure specified for the original nonconforming ingot.

4.5.1.2.1 If there are less than three ingots in the heat, all test locations that fail shall be retested after
discard is taken.

4.5.1.3 Strand-Cast Heats: One of the additional samples shall be taken from the section adjacent to the
original nonconforming specimen after sufficient discard, and the two adjacent cuts (blooms)
shall be sampled at both ends and tested. Should any of the adjacent cut (bloom) test locations
fail to meet specified requirements, resampling and retesting of those locations will be permitted
using the procedure specified for the original nonconforming location.

4.5.2 Slab, Plate, Sheet, and Strip:

4.5.2.1 For Heat Qualification of Slab and Plate: If the average of the specimens from a heat fails to
meet the requirements of 3.4.1.2 for the average of all original specimens, disposition of the heat
may be based on the results of testing three additional specimens for each original specimen to
be retested. Two of the additional specimens shall be taken so as to be representative of the
heat. The third specimen shall be taken from the original nonconforming slab or plate after
additional discard. Should the average of the results on the original specimens not requiring
retesting plus those on the additional specimens fail to meet the requirements of 3.4.1.2,
resampling and retesting may be repeated after as many discards as necessary to obtain
acceptable results.

4.5.2.2 For Product Qualification of Sheet, Strip, and Plate: If the average of all specimens from slabs or
plates from a heat fails to meet the requirements of 3.4.1.2, but the slabs or plates have been
rolled to under 0.1875 inch before being resampled for retesting, or if any specimen from sheet
and strip fails to meet the maximum individual or average frequency or severity ratings agreed
upon by purchaser and vendor (See 3.4.2.3), or if the average of all specimens from a lot of plate
not qualified as a heat fails to meet the requirements of 3.4.1.2, disposition of the product may be
based on the results of testing three specimens for each original specimen which exceeds the
average frequency or severity limit, or both, of 3.4.1.2 in the case of plate or which exceeds the
agreed-upon individual or average limits (See 3.4.2.4) in the case of sheet and strip. The retest
specimens shall be taken so as to be representative of the heat or lot. Should the average of the
results on the original specimens not requiring retesting plus those on the retest specimens fail to
meet the requirements of 3.4.1.2 or 3.4.2.3, as applicable, resampling and retesting may be
repeated after as many discards as necessary to obtain acceptable results.

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5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY:

5.1 Identification:

Product, accepted for use in accordance with specified requirements, shall be identified with AMS
2301J in addition to information required by the applicable material specification.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

A vendor shall mention this specification number and its revision letter in all quotations and when
acknowledging purchase orders.

7. REJECTIONS:

Product not conforming to this specification, or to modifications authorized by purchaser, will be

subject to rejection.

8. NOTES:

8.1 A change bar ( l ) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where
technical revisions, not editorial changes, have been made to the previous issue of this specification.
An (R) symbol to the left of the document title indicates a complete revision of the specification,
including technical revisions. Change bars and (R) are not used in original publications, nor in
specifications that contain editorial changes only.

8.2 Terms used in AMS are clarified in ARP1917, and as follows:

8.2.1 The term “product” as mentioned herein is used to represent all types of wrought forms of uniform
cross-section (except tubing) commonly known as blooms, billets, bars, round-cornered squares,
tube rounds, pressed forged stock, extrusions, and stock for forging and rings.

8.2.2 Strand Casting: See Figure 1.

A strand cast heat is that which casts the product of a single furnace load in a continuous cast
fashion; ingots are not involved.

A strand is the resulting as-cast configuration formed during strand casting; there may be one or
more strands associated with each heat.

A bloom, as used in the context of strand casting, is a section of the strand after it has been cut
from the strand; it is as-cast material that is no longer part of the whole strand.

The front of a strand is that which is formed first.

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8.2.2 (Continued):

The back of a strand is that which is formed last.

The middle of the strand is that which is formed at the approximate mid-length of the strand.

An inside strand is a strand of a multiple strand heat that flows from an inside location of the molten
reservoir; see sketch, Figure 1.

An outside strand is a strand of a multiple strand heat that flows from an outside location of the
molten reservoir; see sketch, Figure 1.

8.2.3 Bottom-Poured Ingots: See Figure 2.

A plate is that which is initially impinged upon by the teemed liquid metal and which then directs the
liquid metal through feeder troughs to the bottom of the ingot molds; a bottom-poured heat may
consist of one or more plates. Each plate may feed one or more ingots.

An ingot is that which is solidified in the ingot mold. The unique features of an ingot associated
with a bottom-poured heat are: (1) it is filled from the bottom rather than from the top, and (2) it is
filled simultaneously with the other ingots being fed from the same plate.

8.3 It should be recognized that use of the continuous method of magnetic particle inspection as
specified in 3.2 may result in false indications relating to alloy or carbide bands rather than
nonmetallic inclusions. Such false indications are more likely to appear in testing the more highly-
alloyed steels. The residual method of magnetic particle inspection may be used to investigate
areas of question. Frequently, alloy and/or carbide streaking will not appear as indications in tests by
the residual method. When the residual method is inconclusive, metallographic examination of the
specimen surface (magnetic particle examined surface) may be used to identify inclusions versus
magnetic particle indications.

PREPARED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF AMS COMMITTEE "E"

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FIGURE 1 - Strand-Cast Heat

FIGURE 2 - Bottom-Poured Heat

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