Designation: A 961 – 02

Standard Specification for

Common Requirements for Steel Flanges, Forged Fittings,
Valves, and Parts for Piping Applications1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 961; 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 * fore each system must be used independently of the other.

1.1 This specification covers a group of common require- Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-
ments that shall apply to steel flanges, forged fittings, valves, formance with the specification. The inch-pound units shall
and parts for piping applications under any of the following apply, unless the “M” designation (SI) of the product specifi-
individual product specifications: cation is specified in the order.
Title of Specification ASTM Designation
2. Referenced Documents
Forgings, Carbon Steel, for Piping Components A 105/A 105M 2.1 ASTM Standards:
Forgings, Carbon Steel, for General-Purpose Piping A 181/A 181M
Forged or Rolled Alloy-Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged A 182/A 182M
A 105/A 105M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for
Fittings, and Valves and Parts for High Temperature Piping Applications2
Service A 181/A 181M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for
Forgings, Carbon and Low Alloy Steel, Requiring Notch A 350/A 350M
Toughness Testing for Piping Components
General-Purpose Piping2
Forged or Rolled 8 and 9 % Nickel Alloy A 522/A 522M A 182/A 182M Specification for Forged or Rolled Alloy-
Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and Valves and Parts
for Low-Temperature Service
Forgings, Carbon and Alloy Steel, for Pipe Flanges, A 694/A 694M
for High-Temperature Service2
Fittings, Valves, and Parts for High-Pressure A 275/A 275M Test Method for Magnetic Particle Exami-
Transmission Service nation of Steel Forgings3
Flanges, Forged, Carbon and Alloy Steel for Low A 707/A 707M
Temperature Service
A 350/A 350M Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy
Forgings, Carbon Steel, for Piping Components with A 727/A 727M Steel Forgings, Requiring Notch Toughness Testing for
Inherent Notch Toughness Piping Components2
Forgings, Titanium-Stabilized Carbon Steel, for A 836/A 836M
Glass-Lined Piping and Pressure Vessel Service A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products4
1.2 In case of conflict between a requirement of the indi- A 522/A 522M Specification for Forged or Rolled 8 and
vidual product specification and a requirement of this general 9 % Nickel Alloy Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts
requirement specification, the requirements of the individual for Low-Temperature Service2
product specification shall prevail over those of this specifica- A 694/A 694M Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel
tion. Forgings for Pipe Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for
1.3 By mutual agreement between the purchaser and the High-Pressure Transmission Service2
supplier, additional requirements may be specified (see Section A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
4.1.2). The acceptance of any such additional requirements Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment3
shall be dependent on negotiations with the supplier and must A 707/A 707M Specification for Forged Carbon and Alloy
be included in the order as agreed upon between the purchaser Steel Flanges for Low-Temperature Service2
and supplier. A 727/A 727M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings, for
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units Piping Components with Inherent Notch Toughness2
(metric) are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
text and the tables, the SI units are shown in brackets. The Chemical Analysis of Steel Products4
values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; there- A 836/A 836M Specification for Titanium-Stabilized Car-
bon Steel Forgings for Glass-Lined Piping and Pressure
Vessel Service2
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
A01.22 on Steel Forgings and Wrought Fittings for Piping Applications and Bolting
2
Materials for Piping and Special Purpose Applications. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
3
Current edition approved March 10, 2002. Published June 2002. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
4
published as A 961– 96. Last previous edition A 961– 01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.

*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 961 – 02
A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Re- finishing the hot worked tubular product to produce the desired
lated Alloys, and Ferroalloys2 shape, dimensions and properties.
A 967 Specification for Chemical Passivation Treatments 3.2 Definitions—For definitions of other terms used in this
for Stainless Steel Parts4 specification, refer to Terminology A 941.
A 991/A 991M Test Method for Conducting Temperature
Uniformity Surveys of Furnaces Used to Heat Treat Steel 4. Ordering Information
Products4
B 880 Specification for General Requirements for Chemical 4.1 It is the purchaser’s responsibility to specify in the
Check Analysis Limits for Nickel, Nickel Alloys and purchase order all ordering information necessary to purchase
Cobalt Alloys5 the needed material. Examples of such information include, but
E 165 Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination6 are not limited to, the following:
E 381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, 4.1.1 Quantity,
Blooms, and Forgings7 4.1.2 Size and pressure class or dimensions, (Tolerances and
E 709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Examination6 surface finishes should be included.),
E 1916 Guide for Identification and/or Segregation of
4.1.3 Specification number with grade or class, or both, as
Mixed Lots of Metals8
applicable, and year/date,
2.2 ASME Standard:9
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code–Section IX 4.1.4 Supplementary requirements, and
2.3 Military Standard:10 4.1.5 Additional requirements.
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
ment and Storage 5. Melting Process
2.4 Manufacturer’s Standardization Society Standard:11
5.1 Unless otherwise specified in the individual Product
SP 25 Standard Marking System of Valves, Fittings,
Specification, the steel shall be fully killed.
Flanges and Unions
5.2 If a specific type of melting is required by the purchaser,
3. Terminology it shall be stated on the purchase order.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5.3 The primary melting may incorporate separate degas-
3.1.1 bar, n—a solid rolled or forged section that is long in sing or refining and may be followed by secondary melting,
relationship to its cross sectional dimensions, with a relatively such as electroslag remelting or vacuum remelting. If second-
constant cross section throughout its length and a wrought ary melting is employed, the heat shall be defined as all of the
microstructure. ingot remelted from a single primary heat.
3.1.2 certifying organization, n—the company or associa- 5.4 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be strand cast. When
tion responsible for the conformance of, and marking of, the steel of different grades is sequentially strand cast, identifica-
product to the specification requirements. tion of the resultant transition material is required. The steel
3.1.3 fitting, n—a component for non-bolted joints in piping producer shall remove the transition material by an established
systems. procedure that positively separates the grades.
3.1.4 flange, n—a component for bolted joints used in
5.5 A sufficient discard shall be made from the source
piping systems.
material to secure freedom from injurious porosity and shrink-
3.1.5 forging, n—the product of a substantially compressive
hot or cold plastic working operation that consolidates the age, and undue segregation.
material and produces the required shape.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—The plastic working must be per- 6. Manufacture
formed by a forging machine, such as a hammer, press, or ring 6.1 The finished part shall be manufactured from a forging
rolling machine, and must deform the material to produce a that is as close as practicable to the finished size or shape.
wrought structure throughout the material cross section. Alternative starting materials may be used, but with the
3.1.6 seamless tubing, n—a tubular product made without a following exceptions and requirements.
welded seam. 6.1.1 Bar—Flanges, elbows, return bends, tees, and header
3.1.6.1 Discussion—It is manufactured usually by hot tees shall not be machined directly from bar. Other hollow
working the material, and if necessary, by subsequently cold
cylindrical shaped parts up to, and including, NPS 4 can be
machined from bar provided that the axial length of the part is
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.04. approximately parallel to the metal flow lines of the starting
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03. stock.
7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
8 6.1.2 Seamless Tubing—Flanges shall not be machined
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
9
Available from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Three Park directly from seamless tubing. Other hollow cylindrical shaped
Avenue, New York, NY 10016–5990. parts up to, and including NPS 4, can be machined from
10
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D, seamless tubing provided that the axial length of the part is
700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
11
Available from the Manufacturer’s Standardization Society of the Valve and approximately parallel to the metal flow lines of the starting
Fittings Industry, 1815 N. Fort Myer Dr., Arlington, VA 22209. stock.

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 A 961 – 02
7. Heat Treatment specification, within the permissible variations of Table 1 or
7.1 Material requiring heat treatment shall be treated as Table 2 of this specification, as appropriate for the grade being
specified in the individual product specification using the supplied.
following procedures that are defined in more detail in Termi-
nology A 941. 9. Mechanical Requirements
7.1.1 Full Annealing—Material shall be uniformly reheated 9.1 Method of Mechanical Tests—All tests shall be con-
to a temperature above the transformation range and, after ducted in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
holding for a sufficient time at this temperature, cooled slowly 9.2 For the purpose of determining conformance to the
to a temperature below the transformation range. product specification requirements, specimens shall be ob-
7.1.2 Solution Annealing—Material shall be heated to a tained from the production forgings, or from separately forged
temperature that causes the chrome carbides to go into solu- test blanks prepared from the stock used to make the finished
tion, and then, quenched in water or rapidly cooled by other product. In either case, mechanical test specimens shall not be
means to prevent reprecipitation. removed until after all heat treatment is complete. If repair
7.1.3 Isothermal Annealing—Isothermal annealing shall welding is performed, test specimens shall not be removed
consist of austenitizing a ferrous alloy, and then, cooling to and
holding within the range of temperature at which the austenite
transforms to a relatively soft ferrite-carbide aggregate. TABLE 1 Product Analysis Tolerances for Higher Alloy and
7.1.4 Normalizing— Material shall be uniformly reheated to Stainless SteelsA
a temperature above the transformation range, and subse- Element Limit or Maximum of Tolerance Over the
Specified Range, Wt % Maximum Limit or
quently, cooled in air at room temperature. Under the Minimum
7.1.5 Tempering and Post-Weld Heat Treatment—Material Limit
shall be reheated to the prescribed temperature below the Carbon 0.030, incl 0.005
transformation range, held at temperature for the greater of 30 over 0.030 to 0.20 incl. 0.01
Manganese to 1.00 incl. 0.03
min or 1 h/in. [25.4 mm] of thickness at the thickest section and over 1.00 to 3.00 incl. 0.04
cooled in still air. over 3.00 to 6.00 0.05
over 6.00 to 10.00 0.06
7.1.6 Stress Relieving— Material shall be uniformly heated Phosphorous to 0.040, incl. 0.005
to the selected stress relieving temperature. The temperature over 0.040 to 0.20, incl. 0.010
shall not vary from the selected temperature by more than6 Sulfur to 0.030, incl. 0.005
Silicon to 1.00, incl. 0.05
25°F [614°C]. over 1.00 to 5.00 incl. 0.10
7.1.7 Quench and Temper—Material shall be fully austen- Chromium over 4.00 to 10.00 incl. 0.10
over 10.00 to 15.00 incl. 0.15
itized and quenched immediately in a suitable liquid medium. over 15.00 to 20.00 incl. 0.20
The quenched fittings shall be reheated to a minimum tempera- over 20.00 to 27.50 incl. 0.25
ture of 1100°F [590°C] and cooled in still air. Nickel to 1.00 incl. 0.03
over 1.00 to 5.00 incl. 0.07
over 5.00 to 10.00 incl. 0.10
8. Chemical Requirements over 10.00 to 20.00 incl. 0.15
over 20.00 to 22.00 incl. 0.20
8.1 Chemical Analysis—Samples for chemical analysis and Molybdenum to 0.20 incl. 0.01
over 0.20 to 0.60 incl. 0.03
methods of analysis shall be in accordance with Test Methods, over 0.60 to 2.00 incl. 0.05
Practices and Terminology A 751. over 2.00 to 7.00 incl. 0.10
8.2 Heat Analysis—An analysis of each heat of steel shall Titanium all ranges 0.05
Columbium (Niobium) all ranges 0.05
be made by the steel manufacturer to determine the percentages + Tantalum
of those elements specified in the individual product specifi- Columbium (Niobium) 0.05 to 0.20 incl. 0.01
Tantalum to 0.10 incl. 0.02
cation. If secondary melting processes are employed, the heat Copper to 0.50, incl. 0.03
analysis shall be obtained from one remelted ingot, or the over 0.50 to 1.00, incl. 0.05
product of one remelted ingot, from each primary melt. The over 1.00 to 3.00, incl. 0.10
over 3.00 to 5.00, incl. 0.15
chemical analysis thus determined shall conform to the require- over 5.00 to 10.00, incl. 0.20
ments of the individual product specification. Note that the Cobalt 0.05 to 0.20 incl. 0.01B
product analysis (check analysis) tolerances are not to be Nitrogen to 0.19 incl 0.01
over 0.19 to 0.25 0.02
applied to the Heat Analysis requirements. over 0.25 to 0.35 0.03
8.3 Product Analysis—If a product analysis is performed it over 0.35 to 0.45 0.04
over 0.45 to 0.60 0.05
shall be in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and Aluminum to 0.05 incl. 0.01
Terminology A 751. Samples for analysis shall be taken from Vanadium to 0.10 incl. 0.01
midway between center and surface of solid parts, midway over 0.10 to 0.25 incl. 0.02
Cerium 0.03 to 0.08 −0.005
between inner and outer surfaces of hollow parts, midway +0.01
between center and surface of full-size prolongations or from A
This table does not apply to heat analysis.
broken mechanical test specimens. The chemical composition B
Product analysis limits for cobalt under 0.05 % have not been established and
thus determined shall conform to the limits of the product the producer should be consulted for those limits.

3
 A 961 – 02
TABLE 2 Product Analysis Tolerances for Low Alloy SteelsA
Tolerance Over Maximum Limit or Under Minimum Limit for Size Ranges Shown, Wt %B
Element Limit or Maximum of 100 in.2(6.453 104 Over 100 to 200 in.2 Over 200 to 400 in.2 Over 400 in.2
Specified Range, Wt % mm2), or less (1.2903 105 mm2), incl (2.581 3 105 mm2), incl
Mn to 0.90 incl 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
over 0.90 to 1.00 incl 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
P to 0.045 incl 0.005 0.010 0.010 0.010
S to 0.045 incl 0.005 0.010 0.010 0.010
Si to 0.40 incl 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.04
over 0.40 to 1.00 incl 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07
Cr to 0.90 incl 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05
over 0.90 to 2.10 incl 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07
over 2.10 to 3.99 incl 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.14
Ni to 0.50 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Mo to 0.20 incl 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03
over 0.20 to 0.40 incl 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.04
over 0.40 to 1.15 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Cu to 1.00 incl 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
over 1.00 to 2.00 incl 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Ti to 0.10 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
V to 0.10 incl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
over 0.10 to 0.25 incl 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
over 0.25 to 0.50 incl 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
A
Product Analysis for C, B, Cb and Ca shall conform to the Product Specification.
B
Cross-sectional area.

until after post-weld heat treatment is complete, unless permit- 11.4 The results of the tensile tests shall conform to the
ted by the product specification. The locations from which test tensile property requirements prescribed in the product speci-
specimens are removed shall be in accordance with the Product fication.
Specification. 11.5 If the results of tension tests do not conform to the
9.3 If separately forged test blanks are used, they shall be of requirements specified in the product specification, retests are
the same heat of steel, be subjected to substantially the same permitted as outlined in Test Methods and Definitions A 370. If
reduction and working as the production forging they repre- the results of any tension test specimen are less than specified
sent, be heat treated in the same furnace charge except as because a flaw becomes evident in the test specimen during
provided for in the reduced testing provisions of the product testing, a retest shall be allowed provided that the defect is not
specification, under the same conditions as the production attributable to ruptures, cracks, or flakes in the steel.
forging, and be of the same nominal thickness as the maximum
heat treated thickness of the production forging. 12. Impact Requirements
9.4 When parts are machined from bar or seamless tubing,
12.1 The part shall conform to the impact requirements
as permitted in 6.1.1 and 6.1.2, the mechanical properties may
prescribed in the product specification.
be determined for the parts from the starting material, if the
parts have not been subjected to any subsequent thermal 12.2 Sampling for impact testing shall conform to the
processing since the time of mechanical test. Product Specification.
12.3 If the average impact energy value meets the product
10. Hardness Requirements specification requirements, but the energy value for one speci-
men is below the specified minimum value for individual
10.1 The part shall conform to the hardness requirements
specimens, a retest is permitted. This shall consist of two
prescribed in the product specification.
impact specimens from a location adjacent to, and on either
10.2 Sampling for hardness testing shall conform to the
side of, the specimen that failed. Each of the retested speci-
product specification.
mens must exhibit an energy value equal to or greater than the
minimum average value required by the product specification.
11. Tensile Requirements
11.1 Sampling for tensile testing shall conform to the 13. Hydrostatic Test Requirements
Product Specification.
11.2 When the dimensions of the material to be tested will 13.1 Parts manufactured under this specification shall be
permit, the tension test specimens shall be machined to capable of passing a hydrostatic test compatible with the rating
standard round 2-in. [50-mm] gage length tension test speci- of the finished part. Such tests shall be conducted by the
men described in Test Methods and Definitions A 370. supplier only when the hydrostatic test supplementary require-
11.3 In the case of small sections, which will not permit ment in the product specification is invoked by the purchaser.
taking of the standard test specimen described in 11.2, the
subsize round specimen shall be machined as described in Test 14. Rework
Methods and Definitions A 370. The tension test specimen 14.1 When one or more representative test specimens or
shall be as large as feasible. retest specimens do not conform to the requirements specified

4
 A 961 – 02
in the product specification for the tested characteristic, the permitted at the discretion of the supplier. All weld repairs shall
product may be reworked according to the following require- be performed in accordance with the following limitations and
ments: requirements.
14.1.1 If previously tested in the unheat treated condition, 16.1.1 The welding procedure and welders shall be qualified
the product may be reworked by heat treatment, and subse- in accordance with Section IX of the ASME Boiler and
quently retested, in accordance with the product specification. Pressure Vessel Code.
14.1.2 If previously tested in the heat treated condition, the 16.1.2 Defects shall be completely removed prior to weld-
product may be reworked by reheat treatment, and subse- ing by chipping or grinding to sound metal. Removal of these
quently retested, in accordance with the product specification. defects shall be verified by magnetic particle inspection in
accordance with Test Method A 275/A 275M or Guide E 709
15. Finish and Appearance for the ferritic, martensitic, or ferritic/austenitic grades, or by
15.1 The parts shall conform to the dimensions, tolerances, liquid penetrant inspection in accordance with Test Method
and finish as specified on the purchaser’s drawing or order. E 165 for ferritic, martensitic, or austenitic grades.
15.2 The finished parts shall be cleaned to remove all scale 16.1.3 After repair welding, the welded area shall be ground
and processing compounds prior to the final surface examina- smooth to the original contour and shall be completely free of
tion. The cleaning process shall not injure the surface finish, defects as verified by magnetic particle or liquid penetrant
material properties, or the metallurgical structure. The cleaned inspection, as applicable.
parts shall be protected to prevent recontamination. Protective 16.1.4 Repair by welding shall not exceed 10 % of the
coatings on parts subsequently subjected to socket welds or surface area of the part, or 331⁄3 % of the wall thickness of the
butt welds shall be suitable for welding without removal of the finished product, or 3⁄8 in. [10 mm] deep at the location of the
coating. When specified in the purchase order, parts may be repair.
furnished in the as-formed or as-forged condition. 16.2 The weld repair shall conform to 9.2 and to the
15.3 The parts shall be free of injurious imperfections as additional requirements, if any, invoked in the Product Speci-
defined below. At the discretion of the inspector representing fication.
the purchaser, finished parts shall be subject to rejection if
surface imperfections acceptable under 15.5 are not scattered, 17. Inspection
but appear over a large area. 17.1 The supplier shall afford the purchaser’s inspector all
15.4 Depth of Injurious Imperfections—Selected typical reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the material
linear and other typical surface imperfections shall be explored is being produced and furnished in accordance with the general
for depth. When the depth encroaches on the minimum specification and the applicable product specification. Site
specified wall thickness of the finished part, such imperfections inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere unnecessarily
shall be considered injurious. with the supplier’s operations.
15.5 Imperfections Not Classified as Injurious—Surface
imperfections not classified as injurious shall be treated as 18. Rejection and Rehearing
follows: 18.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on
15.5.1 Seams, laps, tears, or slivers not deeper than 5 % of product analyses made by the purchaser in accordance with this
the actual wall thickness at the point of interest or 1⁄16 in. [1.6 specification shall be reported to the manufacturer within two
mm], whichever is less, are acceptable. If deeper, these days from date of test.
imperfections require removal, and shall be removed by 18.2 Samples that represent material rejected for failure to
machining or grinding. comply to product analysis specified in S52 shall be preserved
15.5.2 Mechanical marks or abrasions and pits shall be for two weeks from the date of the test report. In case of
acceptable without grinding or machining provided the depth dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the manufacturer
does not exceed 1⁄16 in. [1.6 mm]. If such imperfections are may make claim for a rehearing within that time.
deeper than 1⁄16 in. [1.6 mm] but do not encroach on the 18.3 Material that shows injurious defects subsequent to its
minimum wall thickness of the forging they shall be removed acceptance at the manufacturer’s works will be rejected, and
by machining or grinding to sound metal. the manufacturer shall be notified.
15.5.3 The wall thickness at the point of grinding, or at
imperfections not required to be removed, shall be determined 19. Certification
by deducting the amount removed by grinding, from the 19.1 Marking of the ASTM specification number and manu-
nominal finished wall thickness of the part. In any case, the facturer’s name or trademark on the parts, and printing of the
wall thickness shall not be less than the specified minimum same on test reports, when required, shall be certification that
value. the parts have been furnished in accordance with the require-
ments of the specification.
16. Repair by Welding 19.2 Test reports shall be traceable to the heat identification
16.1 The purchaser may require the supplier to submit on the parts. They shall contain the information specified by the
proposed weld repairs for approval by invoking the appropriate Product Specification and the purchaser order. They shall
supplementary requirement from the applicable product speci- include the specification number and year/date of issue.
fication in the purchase order. If the purchaser does not require 19.3 A certificate printed from or used in electronic data
prior approval of proposed weld repairs, these repairs shall be interchange (EDI) transmission shall be regarded as having the

5
 A 961 – 02
same validity as a counterpoint printed in the certifiers facility. 20.2 Product marking shall conform to the additional re-
The content of the EDI transmitted document shall conform to quirements, if any, invoked in the product specification or
any existing EDI agreement between the purchaser and sup- purchase order.
plier.
19.4 Not withstanding the absence of a signature, the 21. Packaging, Marking and Loading for Shipment
organization submitting either a printed certificate or an EDI 21.1 Packaging, marking, and loading for shipment shall be
transmitted certificate is responsible for the content of the in accordance with Practice A 700.
report.
21.2 When specified in the contract or order, and or direct
20. Marking procurement by or direct shipment to the government, when
20.1 Each piece shall be legibly marked with the ASTM Level A is specified, preservation, packaging, and packing shall
specification number, grade and class, certifying organization’s be in accordance with Level A requirements of MIL-STD-163.
name or symbol, the heat number or heat identification, size,
and service rating, if applicable. It is not required to mark the 22. Keywords
product with the specification year and date of issue. The 22.1 alloy steel; carbon steel; fittings; flanges; forgings;
Standard Marking System of Valves, Fittings, Flanges and general requirement; piping applications; pressure containing
Unions (SP 25) may be followed except the word “steel” shall parts; stainless steel; temperature service applications-elevated;
not be substituted for the ASTM designation. temperature service applications-high; valves

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

These requirements shall not be considered unless specified in the order, in which event, the
supplementary requirements specified shall be made at the place of manufacture, unless otherwise
agreed upon, at the purchaser’s expense. The test specified shall be witnessed by the purchaser’s
inspector before shipment of material, if so specified in the order. The rationale for beginning the
section numbering with S50 is to eliminate the possibility of confusion with supplementary
requirements existing in individual product specifications.

S50. Macroetch Test S53. Tension Tests

S50.1 A sample forging shall be sectioned and etched to S53.1 In addition to the requirements of Section 9, one
show flow lines and internal imperfections. The test shall be tension specimen shall be obtained from a representative
conducted according to Method E 381. forging from each heat at a location agreed upon between the
S50.2 Acceptance limits shall be as agreed upon between certifying organization and the purchaser. The results of the test
the certifying organization and the purchaser. shall comply with the tensile property requirements listed in
S51. Heat Analysis the applicable product specification and shall be reported to the
purchaser.
S51.1 When secondary melting processes are employed, a
heat analysis shall be obtained from each remelted ingot, or the
product of each remelted ingot, from each primary melt. The S54. Impact Tests
chemical analysis thus determined shall conform to the require- S54.1 In addition to the requirements of Section 9, three
ments of the individual product specification. Note that the CVN impact energy specimens shall be obtained from a
product analysis (check analysis) tolerances are not to be representative forging from each heat at a location agreed upon
applied to the heat analysis requirements. between the certifying organization and the purchaser. The
results of the test shall comply with the CVN impact energy
S52. Product Analysis
requirements listed in the applicable product specification and
S52.1 A product analysis shall be made from one randomly shall be reported to the purchaser.
selected forging representing each heat. The results shall
comply with the product analysis limits listed in the applicable S55. Magnetic Particle Examination
product specification. For Specification A 182/A 182M grades
of F20 and F58, results shall comply with the product analysis S55.1 All accessible surfaces of the finished forging shall be
limits listed in Specification B 880. examined by a magnetic particle method. The method shall be
S52.2 If the analysis fails to comply, each forging shall be in accordance with Test Method A 275. Acceptance limits shall
checked or the lot rejected. All results shall be reported to the be as agreed upon between the certifying organization and the
purchaser. purchaser.

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 A 961 – 02
S56. Liquid Penetrant Examination S60. Positive Material Identification Examination
S56.1 All accessible surfaces shall be examined by a liquid S60.1 Forgings shall receive positive material identification
penetrant method in accordance with Test Method E 165. to ensure that the purchaser is receiving forgings of the correct
Acceptance limits shall be as agreed upon between the certi- material grade prior to shipment of the forgings. This exami-
fying organization and the purchaser. nation is a method to ensure that no material grade mix-up has
occurred during the manufacturing and marking of the forg-
S57. Hydrostatic Testing ings.
S57.1 A hydrostatic test at a pressure agreed upon between S60.2 Forgings shall receive a positive material identifica-
the certifying organization and the purchaser shall be applied tion examination in accordance with Guide E 1916.
by the certifying organization. S60.3 The quantity examined shall be 100 % of the forg-
ings.
S58. Repair Welding S60.4 All forgings that are not of the correct material grade
shall be rejected.
S58.1 No repair welding shall be permitted without prior S60.5 The method of forging marking after examination
approval of the purchaser. If permitted, the restrictions of shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the
Section 16 shall apply. purchaser.
S59. Electropolished Austenitic and Ferritic–Austentic S61. Heat Treatment in the Working Zone of a Surveyed
Grades Furnace
S59.1 All electropolished austentic and ferritic–austentic S61.1 Material shall be heat treated in the working zone of
products shall be of a cleanliness in accordance with Specifi- a furnace that has been surveyed in accordance with Test
cation A 967. Method A 991/A 991M, provided that such working zone was
S59.2 Details concerning which test method of Specifica- established using a variation of 25°F (15°C) or less from the
tion A 967 are to be a matter of agreement between the furnace set point.
manufacturer and the purchaser. S61.2 The test report shall indicate that S61 applies.

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. Requirements for the Introduction of New Materials

A1.1 New materials may be proposed for inclusion in A1.1.3 The application shall be accompanied by test data as
specifications referencing this specification of general require- required by the applicable specification. Test data from a
ments subject to the following conditions: minimum of three test lots, as defined by the specification, each
A1.1.1 Application for the addition of a new grade to a from a different heat, shall be furnished.
specification shall be made to the chairman of the subcommit- A1.1.4 The application shall provide recommendations for
tee, which has jurisdiction over that specification. all requirements appearing in the applicable specification.
A1.1.2 The application shall be accompanied by a statement A1.1.5 The application shall state whether or not the new
from at least one user indicating that there is a need for the new grade is covered by patent.
grade to be included in the applicable specification.

7
 A 961 – 02
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (A 961–01)
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Revised S52 and added B 880 to Referenced Documents. (3) Added higher P levels to Table 1.
(2) Added Copper tolerances to Table 1.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

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