Designation: A1000/A1000M – 11

Standard Specification for

Steel Wire, Carbon and Alloy Specialty Spring Quality1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A1000/A1000M; 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.

1. Scope* A700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Meth-

1.1 This specification covers four different grades of round ods for Steel Products for Shipment
and shaped plain carbon and alloy steel spring wire, uniform in A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi-
quality and temper, intended for the manufacture of mechanical cal Analysis of Steel Products
springs that can withstand moderate fatigue stresses over some A877/A877M Specification for Steel Wire, Chromium-
relatively low number of cycles. The quality level is between Silicon Alloy, Chrome-Silicon-Vanadium Alloy Valve
the commercial quality grades of wire such as Specifications Spring Quality
A401/A401M, A231/A231M, and A229/A229M and the valve A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Re-
spring quality grades such Specifications as A230/A230M, lated Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A232/A232M, and A877/A877M. It is similar to the grade TD E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
(referenced in EN 10270-2) intended for medium fatigue Determine Conformance with Specifications
levels, such as required for clutch springs. This wire shall be E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of
either in the annealed and cold-drawn or quenched and Steel
tempered condition as specified by purchaser. 2.2 European Standard:
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units EN 10270-2 Steel Wire for Mechanical Springs Part 2:
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in Oil-Hardened and Tempered Springsteel Wire of Unal-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each loyed and Alloyed Steels3
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining 3. Terminology
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this specification, see
2. Referenced Documents Terminology A941.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
A229/A229M Specification for Steel Wire, Oil-Tempered 3.2.1 commercial quality wire—a grade of wire that is fairly
for Mechanical Springs common quality and intended for applications that are primar-
A230/A230M Specification for Steel Wire, Oil-Tempered ily static in nature, not involving significant fatigue loading.
Carbon Valve Spring Quality
4. Ordering Information
A231/A231M Specification for Chromium-Vanadium Alloy
Steel Spring Wire 4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify
A232/A232M Specification for Chromium-Vanadium Alloy all requirements that are necessary for material under this
Steel Valve Spring Quality Wire specification. Such requirements are permitted to include, but
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing are not limited to the following,
of Steel Products 4.1.1 Quantity (mass),
A401/A401M Specification for Steel Wire, Chromium- 4.1.2 Name of material (chromium-silicon alloy steel spe-
Silicon Alloy cialty spring quality wire),
4.1.3 Dimensions (Table 1 and Section 9),
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4.1.4 Condition (Section 7),

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, 4.1.5 Packaging (Section 15),
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 4.1.6 Heat analysis report, if requested (6.2),
A01.03 on Steel Rod and Wire.
Current edition approved July 1, 2011. Published July 2011. Originally approved 4.1.7 Certification or test report, or both, if specified (Sec-
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A1000 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/ tion 14), and
A1000_A1000M-11.
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
3
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.

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 A1000/A1000M – 11
TABLE 1 Permissible Variations in Wire Dimensions (Round and When requested, this shall be reported to the purchaser and
Shapes)A shall conform to the requirements of Table 2.
SI Units 6.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the
Permissible Varia- Permissible Out-Of-
Dimension, mm
tions, 6 mm Round, mm purchaser from finished wire representing each heat of steel.
0.5 to 2.0, incl 0.02 0.02 The average of all the separate determinations made shall be
Over 2.0 to 4.0, incl 0.03 0.03 within the limits specified in the analysis column.
Over 4.0 to 9.5, incl 0.04 0.04
Over 9.5 0.05 0.05 6.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and
Inch-Pound Units Terminology A751 shall be used.
Permissible Varia- Permissible Out-Of-
Dimension, in.
tions, 6 in. Round, in.
0.020 to 0.075, incl 0.0008 0.0008 7. Mechanical Properties
Over 0.075 to 0.148, incl 0.001 0.001
Over 0.148 to 0.375, incl 0.0015 0.0015 7.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn—When purchased in the
Over 0.375 0.002 0.002 annealed and cold-drawn condition, the wire shall have been
Permissible Variations in Wire Dimensions (Flat Rolled)A given a sufficient amount of cold working to meet the purchas-
SI Units
Thickness Width er’s coiling requirements and shall be in a suitable condition to
Dimension, mm Permissible Varia- Permissible Varia- respond properly to heat treatment. In special cases the
tions, 6 mm tions, mm hardness, if desired, shall be stated in the purchase order.
All 0.05 0.120
Inch-Pound Units 7.2 Quenched and Tempered:
Thickness Width 7.2.1 Tensile Strength and %RA, Round Wire—When pur-
Dimension, in. Permissible Varia- Permissible Varia-
tions, 6 in. tions, in. chased in the quenched and tempered condition, the tensile
All 0.002 0.005 strength and minimum percent reduction in area of round wire,
A
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified sizes 0.105 in. [2.50 mm] and larger shall conform to the
limits are absolute as defined in Practice E29. requirements prescribed in Tables 3-6.
7.2.2 Tensile Strength, Shaped and Flat Wire—Tensile
4.1.8 ASTM designation and year of issue. strength of shaped and flat rolled wires shall conform to these
tables based on the conversion to equivalent round dimensions.
NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 40 000-lb.
quenched and tempered chromium-silicon alloy steel specialty spring Percent reduction of area is not applicable to shaped and flat
quality wire, size 0.250 in. in 3000-lb coils to Specification A1000/ rolled wires.
A1000M dated _______, or for SI units, 20 000-kg quenched and
NOTE 2—Equivalent round definition: The cross sectional area of
tempered chromium-silicon alloy steel specialty spring quality wire, size
non-round wires converted to the round wire diameter.
6.00 mm in 1500-kg coils to Specification A1000/A1000M dated
_______. 7.2.3 Tensile Strength Variation—In addition, the maximum

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tensile variation in a coil shall be 10 ksi [70 MPa].
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 The steel may be made by any commercially accepted NOTE 3—Any specimen breaking in the tensile grips shall be discarded
steel making process. The steel may be either ingot cast or and a new specimen tested if the specified mechanical properties are not
achieved. If breakage in the tensile grips prevents conformance to percent
strand cast. reduction in area requirements, conformance to the wrap test (see 7.3)
5.2 The finished wire shall be free from detrimental pipe shall suffice.
and undue segregation.
7.2.4 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for
6. Chemical Composition each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each heat in a given
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical lot shall be tested.
composition specified in Table 2. 7.2.5 Location of Tests—Test specimens shall be taken from
6.2 Heat Analysis—Each heat of steel shall be analyzed by either end of the coil.
the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements 7.2.6 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in
prescribed in Table 2. This analysis shall be made from a test accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370.
specimen preferably taken during the pouring of the heat. 7.3 Wrap Test:

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.

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 A1000/A1000M – 11
TABLE 3 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Chrome Silicon) TABLE 4 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Carbon) Grade B
Grade A SI Units
SI Units
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction of area
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction of Area B
0.5 2100 2070
B B
0.5 2100 2280 1.0 1860 2030
B B
1.0 2070 2240 2.0 1790 1960
B 2.5 1760 1900 45
1.5 2030 2210
B 3.0 1720 1860 45
2.0 2000 2140
2.5 1965 2105 45 4.0 1650 1790 40
3.0 1930 2070 45 4.5 1580 1720 40
4.0 1900 2040 40 5.5 1510 1650 40
4.5 1830 1970 40 6.5 1480 1620 40
5.0 1810 1950 40 8.0 1450 1590 40
5.5 1790 1930 40 9.5 1410 1550 40
6.5 1760 1900 40 12.5 1380 1520 35
8.0 1730 1870 40 16.0 1350 1490 30
9.5 1690 1830 40
Inch-Pound Units
11.0 1660 1800 35
12.5 1630 1770 35 Reduction of area,
Diameter, in. kSI, min kSI, max
14.0 1610 1750 30 min %
16.0 1590 1730 30 B
0.020 275 300
B
Inch-Pound Units 0.040 270 295
B
0.080 260 285
Diameter, in. ksi, min ksi, max Reduction of area, min % 0.105 255 275 45
0.020 305 330 B 0.120 250 270 45
0.040 300 325 B 0.156 240 260 40
0.060 295 320 B 0.177 235 255 40
0.080 290 310 B 0.218 225 245 40
0.105 284 304 45 0.250 215 235 40
0.120 280 300 45 0.312 210 230 40
0.156 275 295 40 0.375 205 225 40
0.177 265 285 40 0.500 200 220 35
0.200 263 283 40 0.625 195 215 30
0.218 260 280 40 A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
0.250 255 275 40 B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (.105 in.).
0.312 250 270 40
0.375 245 265 40
0.438 240 260 35 TABLE 5 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Chrome Vanadium)
0.500 235 255 35 Grade C
0.562 233 253 30
0.625 231 251 30 SI Units
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated. Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction Of area
B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (0.105 in.). 1.0 1860 2030 B
B
2.0 1760 1930
3.0 1650 1790 45
7.3.1 Round quenched and tempered wire 0.157 in. [4.00 4.0 1620 1760 40
4.5 1590 1730 40
mm] or smaller in diameter shall wrap on itself as an arbor 5.5 1520 1660 40
without breakage. Larger diameter wire up to and including 6.5 1480 1620 40
0.315 in. [8.00 mm] shall wrap without breakage on a mandrel 8.0 1450 1590 40
twice the wire diameter. The wrap test is not applicable to wire Inch-Pound Units
over 0.315 in. [8.00 mm] in diameter or to shaped and flat Reduction of area,
Diameter, in. kSI, min kSI, max
rolled wires. min %
7.3.2 The special high tensile chrome silicon vanadium 0.040 270 295 B
B
grade of round oil tempered wire 0.157 in. [4.00 mm] or 0.080 255 280
0.120 240 260 45
smaller in diameter shall wrap on a mandrel twice the diameter 0.156 235 255 40
without breakage. Larger diameter wire up to and including 0.177 230 250 40
0.315 in. [8.00 mm] shall wrap without breakage on a mandrel 0.218 220 240 40
0.250 215 235 40
three times the wire diameter. The wrap test is not applicable to 0.312 210 230 40
wire over 0.315 in. [8.00 mm] in diameter or to shaped and flat A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
rolled wires. B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (0.105 in.).
7.3.3 Test Method—The wrap test shall be made in accor-
dance with Test Methods and Definitions A370.
diameter for round wire or 1 % of the equivalent round
8. Metallurgical Requirements diameter for shaped and flat rolled wire.
8.1 Surface Condition: 8.1.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken
8.1.1 The surface of the wire as received shall be free of from each end of every coil.
imperfections such as seams, pits, die marks, scratches, and 8.1.3 Test Method—The surface shall be examined after
other surface defects that are deeper than 1 % of the wire etching in a solution of equal parts of hydrochloric acid and
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 A1000/A1000M – 11
TABLE 6 Tensile and % RA RequirementsA (Chromium Silicon affected depth. Smaller wire sizes may require higher magni-
Vanadium) Grade D fication. Measure the worst area present excluding decarbur-
SI Units ization associated with seams or other surface imperfections,
Diameter, mm MPa, min MPa, max Reduction Of area Complete decarburization exists when only free ferrite is
1.0 2200 2370 B present. Partial decarburization exists when ferrite is found
B
1.5 2170 2340 mixed with pearlite or tempered martensite. Structures of
2.5 2100 2270 40
3.0 2070 2210 40
100 % tempered martensite shall be defined as not decarbur-
4.0 2030 2170 40 ized.
4.5 2000 2140 35 8.2.4 Decarburization shall be checked on annealed wire by
5.0 1960 2100 35
5.5 1930 2070 35
giving a wire sample an austenitize, quench and temper heat
6.5 1900 2040 35 treatment. A flat shall be ground on the sample prior to heat
8.0 1860 2000 30 treatment. The flat shall have a minimum width equal to one
9.5 1830 1970 30
11.0 1790 1930 30
half of the wire diameter. Any decarburization visible on this
12.5 1760 1900 30 ground section shall necessitate a retest with new samples. If
14.0 1720 1860 30 no decarburization is visible on the ground flat, evaluate the
16.0 1690 1830 30
complete wire section in accordance with 8.2.3.
Inch-Pound Units
8.3 Inclusion Content:
Reduction of area, 8.3.1 Restrictions on inclusion content may be agreed upon
Diameter, in. kSI, min kSI, max
min %
by the producer and the purchaser. It is recommended that
B
0.040 320 345 methods be used that are relevant for spring wire applications
B
0.060 315 340
0.105 305 330 40 such as maximum thickness (Max ‘t’) and inclusion count
0.120 300 320 40 techniques (Swedish Method). These should concentrate on
0.156 295 315 40
0.177 290 310 35
non-deformable inclusions, the thickness (transverse to the
0.200 285 305 35 longitudinal wire axis) of inclusions and the condition in areas
0.218 280 300 35 near to the wire surface. The application of Practice E45 to this
0.250 275 295 35
0.312 270 290 30
requirement is not recommended.
0.375 265 285 30
0.438 260 280 30 9. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
0.500 255 275 30
9.1 The permissible variations in the dimensions of the wire
0.562 250 270 30
0.625 245 265 30 shall be as specified in Table 1. Any definition of shape wire
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated. tolerances shall be agreed upon by the manufacturer and the
B
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire under 2.5 mm (0.105 in.). purchaser.
9.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken from
water that has been heated to approximately 80°C for a each end of every coil.
sufficient length of time to remove up to approximately 1 % of
the diameter of the wire. Test ends shall be examined using 10. Workmanship, Finish and Appearance
103 magnification. 10.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn—The wire shall not be
8.1.4 Eddy Current Testing—Upon the agreement of the kinked or improperly cast. To test for cast, a few convolutions
producer and the purchaser, round and shaped wire shall be of wire shall be cut loose from the coil and placed on a flat
100 % eddy current tested with a rotary probe or a stationary surface. The wire shall lie substantially flat on itself and not
coil, or both. The depth of surface defects to be detected shall spring up nor show a wavy condition.
also be agreed upon by the producer and purchaser. Defects 10.2 Quenched and Tempered—The wire shall be uniform
equal to or deeper than this depth shall be marked with some in quality and temper and shall not be wavy or crooked.
means of identification, such as ink or paint, to facilitate 10.3 Each coil shall be one continuous length of wire
removal at a later stage in the processing. properly coiled and firmly tied.
8.2 Decarburization: 10.4 No welds are permitted in the finished product and any
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8.2.1 Transverse sections of the wire when properly welds made during processing must be removed.
mounted, polished and etched shall show maximum complete
decarburization of 0.3 % of the wire diameter for round wires 11. Retests
and 0.3 % of the equivalent round for shaped and flat rolled 11.1 If any test specimen exhibits obvious defects it may be
wire. Partial decarburization should not exceed a depth of discarded and another specimen substituted.
1.5 % of the diameter for round wires and 1.5 % of the
equivalent round diameter for shaped and flat rolled wire. 12. Inspection
8.2.2 Test Method—Decarburization shall be determined by 12.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
etching a suitably polished transverse section of wire with order, the manufacturer is responsible for the performance of
nital. The entire periphery to be examined should be in a single all inspection and test requirements specified in this specifica-
plane with no edge rounding. tion. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
8.2.3 The entire periphery shall be examined at a magnifi- order, the manufacturer may use his own or any other suitable
cation of no less than 1003 for depth of free ferrite and total facilities for the performance of the inspection and test

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 A1000/A1000M – 11
requirements unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time has been found to meet the requirements. When specified in the
the order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall be
perform any of the inspection and tests set forth in this furnished.
specification when such inspections and tests are deemed 14.2 The certification shall include the specification num-
necessary to ensure that the material conforms to prescribed ber, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any.
requirements.
15. Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment
13. Rejection and Rehearing 15.1 The coil mass, dimensions, and the method of packag-
ing shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and
13.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests
purchaser.
made in accordance with these specifications shall be reported
15.2 The size of the wire, purchaser’s order number, ASTM
to the manufacturer as soon as possible so that an investigation
specification number, heat number, and name or mark of the
may be initiated.
manufacturer shall be marked on a tag securely attached to
13.2 The material must be adequately protected and cor-
each coil of wire.
rectly identified in order that the manufacturer may make a
15.3 Unless otherwise specified in the purchaser’s order,
proper investigation.
packaging, marking, and loading for shipments shall be in
accordance with those procedures recommended by Practices
14. Certification
A700.
14.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a
manufacturer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to 16. Keywords
the purchaser that the material was manufactured, sampled, 16.1 alloy; eddy current; flat rolled; inclusion content;
tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and shaped wire; tempered

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue, A1000 – 05,
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2011.)

(1) SI and inch-pound unit enhancements. (4) Removed Federal, Military, and AIAG standards as they
(2) Replaced “oil quench” with “quench and tempered.” are not active standards.
(3) General language updates to better reflect actual applica- (5) Removed A878 as a reference as this standard is obsolete.
tion of this standard.

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