Designation: A 764 – 95 (Reapproved 2001)

Standard Specification for

Metallic Coated Carbon Steel Wire, Coated at Size and
Drawn to Size for Mechanical Springs1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 764; 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 TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements

1.1 This specification covers two finishes of round, metallic

Element Composition, %
coated, hard-drawn, carbon steel spring wire having properties
Carbon 0.45–0.85A
and quality for the manufacture of mechanical springs and wire Manganese 0.30–1.30B
forms that are not subject to high stress or require high fatigue Phosphorus, max 0.040
properties. Sulfur, max 0.050
Silicon 0.10–0.35
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded A
Carbon in any one lot shall not vary by more than 0.13 %.
as the standard. The values stated in SI units are for informa- B
Manganese in any one lot shall not vary by more than 0.30 %.
tion purposes only. Tables 1-9
2. Referenced Documents MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
2.1 ASTM Standards: ment and Storage
A 90 Test Method for Weight of Coating on Zinc-Coated 2.3 Automotive Industry Action Group Standard:
(Galvanized) Iron or Steel Articles2 AIAG B-5 02.00 Primary Metals Identification Tag Appli-
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing cation Standard8
of Steel Products3 3. Terminology
A 428 Test Method for Weight of Coating on Aluminum-
Coated Iron or Steel Articles2 3.1 Definitions:
A 510 Specification for General Requirements for Wire 3.1.1 coating class (regular, 1, or 3)—specifies the mini-
Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel3 mum coating weight per unit area of uncoated wire surface.
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Aluminum coated wire is only specified in one class.
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment4 3.1.2 coating finish (1 or 2)—specifies whether a coating is
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for applied prior to or after the final cold drawing operation.
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products3 3.1.3 coating type (A, B, or C)—specifies the required alloy
B 6 Specification for Zinc (Slab Zinc)5 content of the coating.
B 750 Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal 3.1.4 tensile class (I or II)—specifies the tensile range to
Alloy (UNS Z 38510) in Ingot Form for Hot-Dip Coat- which the wire is to conform.
ings5 4. Ordering Information
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications6 4.1 Orders for material under this specification should
2.2 U.S. Government Standards:7 include the following information:
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies) 4.1.1 Quantity (weight),
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage 4.1.2 Diameter, finish, class of coating if applicable, type of
metallic coating, class of tensile strength, name of material,
4.1.3 ASTM designation and date of issue,
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, 4.1.4 Packaging (Section 15),
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is under the direct responsibility of 4.1.5 Cast or heat analysis report, if desired (Section 6), and
Subcommittee A01.03 on Steel Rod and Wire. 4.1.6 Test report, if desired (Section 14).
Current edition approved June 15, 1995. Published August 1995. Originally
published as A 764 – 79. Last previous edition A 764 – 93. NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 30 000 lb 0.120
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.06. in. Finish 2, Class 1, Type B Metallic Coating, Tensile Class II, Steel
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
4 Mechanical Spring Wire in 400-lb, 22-in. coils to ASTM A 764, dated .
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.04.
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
7 8
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D, Available from Automotive Industry Action Group, 26200 Lahser, Suite 200,
700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, ATTN: NPODS. Southfield, MI 48034.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 764
TABLE 2 Tensile RequirementsA—Finish 1 (Drawn to Size Metallic Coated), Regular or Class 1 Coating (One Class on Coating Type A)

Tensile Class I Tensile Class II

Wire Diameter,B in. (mm) Tensile Strength, ksi (MPa) Tensile Strength, ksi (MPa)
min max min max
0.032 (0.81)C 253 (1740) 306 (2110) 292 (2010) 347 (2390)
0.035 (0.89)C 248 (1710) 301 (2080) 287 (1980) 342 (2360)
0.041 (1.04)C 242 (1670) 293 (2020) 279 (1920) 332 (2290)
0.048 (1.22)C 236 (1630) 286 (1970) 273 (1880) 325 (2240)
0.054 (1.37) 231 (1590) 279 (1920) 266 (1830) 316 (2180)
0.062 (1.57) 225 (1550) 272 (1880) 259 (1790) 308 (2120)
0.072 (1.83) 220 (1520) 266 (1830) 254 (1750) 301 (2080)
0.080 (2.03) 216 (1490) 261 (1800) 249 (1720) 296 (2040)
0.092 (2.34) 209 (1440) 253 (1740) 241 (1660) 287 (1980)
0.106 (2.69) 205 (1410) 248 (1710) 237 (1630) 281 (1940)
0.120 (3.05) 200 (1380) 241 (1660) 230 (1590) 273 (1880)
0.135 (3.43) 196 (1350) 237 (1630) 226 (1560) 269 (1850)
0.148 (3.76) 193 (1330) 234 (1610) 223 (1540) 266 (1830)
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
B
Decimal size is rounded to three significant places in accordance with Practice E 29.
C
These sizes are not produced with metallic coating Type A.

TABLE 3 Tensile RequirementsA—Finish 2 (Metallic Coated at Size) Regular, Class 1 or Class 3 Coating (One Class on Coating Type
A)

Class I Class II
Wire Diameter,B in. (mm) Tensile Strength, ksi (MPa) Tensile Strength, ksi (MPa)
min max min max
C
0.062 (1.57) 213 (1470) 272 (1880) 232 (1600) 291 (2010)
0.072 (1.83)C 209 (1440) 266 (1830) 227 (1570) 284 (1960)
0.080 (2.03) 204 (1410) 261 (1800) 223 (1540) 280 (1930)
0.092 (2.34) 198 (1370) 253 (1740) 216 (1490) 271 (1870)
0.106 (2.69) 194 (1340) 248 (1710) 212 (1460) 266 (1830)
0.120 (3.05) 189 (1300) 241 (1660) 206 (1420) 258 (1780)
0.135 (3.43) 185 (1280) 237 (1630) 202 (1390) 254 (1750)
0.148 (3.76) 183 (1260) 234 (1610) 200 (1380) 251 (1730)
0.162 (4.11) 180 (1240) 230 (1590) 196 (1350) 246 (1700)
0.177 (4.50) 176 (1210) 225 (1550) 192 (1320) 241 (1660)
0.192 (4.88) 173 (1190) 221 (1520) 189 (1300) 237 (1630)
0.207 (5.26) 171 (1180) 218 (1500) 186 (1280) 233 (1610)
0.225 (5.72)C 167 (1150) 214 (1480) 183 (1260) 230 (1590)
0.250 (6.35)C 164 (1130) 210 (1450) 179 (1230) 225 (1550)
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated.
B
Decimal size is rounded to three significant places in accordance with Practice E 29.
C
These sizes are not produced with metallic coating Type A.

TABLE 4 Mandrel Diameters for Steel Ductility and Adherence agreed upon at the time of the purchase or contract.
of Metallic Coating Test for Finish 1 Wire (Drawn to Size Metallic
Coated) 5.5 The material shall be metallic coated prior to cold
drawing, or at an intermediate stage of cold drawing (Finish 1),
Wire Diameter Mandrel Diameter or shall be metallic coated after the final cold drawing (Finish
in. mm Class I Class II 2).
Tensile Tensile 5.6 The wire shall be furnished with one of three types of
0.032 to 0.81 to 3.76 1DA 2D metallic coating, as specified:
0.148 incl incl
A
5.6.1 Type A—Aluminum coated (aluminized),
D equals nominal wire diameter being tested. For 1D mandrel, wire may be
wound on itself. 5.6.2 Type B—Zinc coated (galvanized), or
5. Materials and Manufacture 5.6.3 Type C—Zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal (Zn-5Al-
MM) alloy coated.
5.1 The base metal of the wire shall be of good commercial
5.7 Coating Types A and C shall be produced by a hot-dip
quality steel. The steel may be either ingot cast or strand cast.
process. Coating Type B may be produced by either a hot-dip
5.2 A sufficient discard shall be made to ensure freedom
from injurious piping and undue segregation. or an electrolytic process at the option of the producer.
5.3 The wire shall be cold drawn to produce the desired 5.8 The slab zinc for Coating Type B shall be any grade of
mechanical properties. zinc conforming to Specification B 6.
5.4 Each coil shall be of one continuous length. Only welds 5.9 The ingot used for Coating Type C shall conform to
made prior to cold drawing are permitted, unless otherwise Specification B 750.

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 A 764
TABLE 5 Mandrel Diameters for Steel Ductility and Adherence of Metallic Coating Test for Finish 2 Wire (Metallic Coated at Size)

Wire Diameter Mandrel Diameters for Various Coating and Tensile Strength Classes
Regular and Class I Coating Class 3 Coating
in. mm Class I Tensile Class I Tensile Class I Tensile Class II Tensile
0.062 to under 0.076 1.57 to under 1.93 1DA 2D 2D 3D
0.076 to under 0.148 1.93 to under 3.76 2D 3D 3D 4D
0.148 to under 0.162 3.76 to under 4.11 2D 4D 4D 5D
0.162 to 0.250 incl 4.11 to 6.35 incl 3D 5D 4D 5D
A
D equals nominal wire diameter being tested.

TABLE 6 Minimum Weight of Aluminum per Unit Area of TABLE 8 Permissible Variations in Dimensions Finish 1, Drawn
Uncoated Wire Surface to Size Metallic CoatedA

Wire Diameter,A Finish 1 Finish 2 Wire Diameter, in. (mm) Permissible Variations, Permissible Out-of-Round,
in. (mm) Plus and Minus, in. (mm) in. (mm)
oz/ft2 g/m2 oz/ft2 g/m2
0.032 (0.81) to under 0.001 (0.03) 0.001 (0.03)
0.054 (1.37) 0.20 61 ... ...
0.076 (1.93)
0.062 (1.57) 0.20 61 ... ...
0.076 (1.93) to 0.148 0.002 (0.05) 0.002 (0.05)
0.072 (1.83) 0.20 61 ... ...
(3.76) incl
0.076 (1.93) 0.21 64 ... ...
A
0.080 (2.03) 0.21 64 0.30 92 For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified
0.092 (2.34) 0.21 64 0.32 98 limits are absolute as defined in Practice E 29.
0.099 (2.51) 0.23 70 0.32 98
0.106 (2.69) 0.23 70 0.35 107
0.120 (3.05) 0.23 70 0.35 107 TABLE 9 Permissible Variations in Dimensions Finish 2, Metallic
0.135 (3.43) 0.25 70 0.35 107 Coated at Size
0.148 (3.76) 0.25 70 0.40 122
0.162 (4.11) 0.27 82 0.40 122 Wire Diameter, in. (mm)A Tolerance,B Plus and Minus, in. (mm)
0.177 (4.50) 0.27 82 0.40 122
0.192 (4.88) 0.30 92 0.40 122 Regular and Class I Class 3 Coating
0.207 (5.26) 0.30 92 0.40 122 Coating
A
Diameters, other than those shown above, are produced with aluminum 0.062 (1.57) to under 0.002 (0.05) 0.002 (0.05)
coating equivalent to those of the next smaller size. 0.076 (1.93)
0.076 (1.93) to 0.250 0.003 (0.08) 0.004 (0.102)
(6.35) incl
TABLE 7 Minimum Weight of Zinc or Zinc-5 % Aluminum- A
For the purpose of determining conformance with this specification, an
Mischmetal Alloy per Unit Area of Uncoated Wire Surface observed value shall be rounded to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.03 mm) in accordance
with the rounding method of Practice E 29.
B
Wire Diameter,A Class 1 Coating Class 3 Coating It is recognized that the surfaces of hot dipped metallic coatings are not
in. (mm) perfectly smooth and devoid of irregularities. If the tolerances shown above are
oz/ft2 g/m2 oz/ft2 g/m2 rigidly applied to such irregularities that are inherent to the product, unjustified
0.032 (0.81) 0.05 16 0.25 76 rejections of wire that would actually be satisfactory for use could occur. Therefore,
0.035 (0.89) 0.10 31 0.40 122 it is intended that these tolerances be used in gaging the uniform areas of the
0.041 (1.04) 0.10 31 0.40 122 metallic coated wire.
0.048 (1.22) 0.15 46 0.40 122
0.054 (1.37) 0.15 46 0.40 122
0.062 (1.57) 0.15 46 0.50 153
the percentage of elements prescribed in Table 1. This analysis
0.072 (1.83) 0.15 46 0.50 153
0.076 (1.93) 0.20 61 0.60 183 shall be from a test specimen preferably taken during the
0.080 (2.03) 0.25 76 0.65 198 pouring of the cast or heat. When required, this shall be
0.092 (2.34) 0.30 92 0.70 214
0.099 (2.51) 0.30 92 0.80 244
reported to the purchaser.
0.106 (2.69) 0.30 92 0.80 244 6.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the
0.120 (3.05) 0.30 92 0.80 244 purchaser from finished wire representing each cast or heat of
0.135 (3.43) 0.30 92 0.80 244
0.148 (3.76) 0.40 122 0.80 244
steel. The chemical composition thus determined, as to ele-
0.162 (4.11) 0.40 122 0.80 244 ments required or restricted, shall conform to the product
0.177 (4.50) 0.40 122 0.80 244 analysis requirements specified in Table 10 of Specification
0.192 (4.88) 0.50 153 0.90 275
0.207 (5.26) 0.65 198 0.90 275
A 510.
0.225 (5.72) 0.65 198 0.90 275 6.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and
0.250 (6.35) 0.65 198 0.90 275 Terminology A 751 shall be used.
A
Diameters, other than those shown above, are produced with metallic coating
equivalent to those of the next smaller size. 7. Mechanical Requirements
7.1 Tension Test:
6. Chemical Requirements 7.1.1 Requirements—The material as represented by tension
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical test specimens shall conform to the requirements prescribed in
composition prescribed in Table 1. Table 2 or Table 3 for the various sizes and specified class.
6.2 Cast or Heat Analysis—Each cast or heat of steel shall 7.1.2 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in
be analyzed by the manufacturer to determine compliance with accordance with Test Methods A 370, Supplement IV.

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 A 764
7.2 Wrap Test: coils during production to ensure compliance with 7.1, 7.2, and
7.2.1 Requirement—Finish 1 (drawn to size metallic coated) 7.3 varies with the quality control procedures and the manu-
wire shall withstand wrapping on a mandrel as shown in Table facturing facilities of each manufacturer, but is generally not
4 without the steel base fracturing or the metallic coating less than 10 % of the coils produced. For the purpose of final
peeling or flaking to such an extent that coating metal can be product testing, one specimen from every ten coils, or a
removed by rubbing with the bare fingers. Finish 2 (metallic fraction thereof, in a lot shall be selected at random, or a total
coated at size) wire shall withstand wrapping on a mandrel as of seven specimens, whichever is less.
shown in Table 5 without the steel base fracturing or the 11.2 Should one or more of the wire specimens fail any
metallic coating peeling or flaking to such an extent that requirement, the lot shall be subjected to retest. For retest
coating metal can be removed by rubbing with the bare fingers. purposes the original lot shall be regrouped into 50 coil lots or
Loosening or detachment, during the wrap test, of superficial, fractions thereof. Each lot shall be tested for the property in
small particles of coating metal formed by mechanical polish- which the original sample failed to comply at a frequency of
ing of the metallic coated wire shall not be considered cause for 10 % or more so that the total number of tests is at least double
rejection. the original. Any lot that exhibits a failure shall be rejected.
7.2.2 Test Method—The wrap test shall be made in accor- The manufacturer may test each coil in the failed lot for the
dance with Test Methods A 370, Supplement IV. property in which failure occurred and reject only the noncon-
7.3 Metallic Coating. forming coils.
7.3.1 Requirement: 11.3 If any test specimen exhibits obvious imperfections
7.3.1.1 For metallic coating Type A, the wire shall conform due to cutting a sample from the coil or due to handling
to the minimum weight of coating prescribed in Table 6. damage after the sample has been cut, it may be discarded and
7.3.1.2 For metallic coating Type B or Type C, the wire shall another specimen substituted.
conform to the minimum weight of coating for Coating Class
12. Inspection
1 or 3 prescribed in Table 7. Regular coating has no minimum
requirement. 12.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
7.3.2 Test Methods: order, the manufacturer is responsible for the performance of
7.3.2.1 The weight of coating test for metallic coating Type all inspection and test requirements specified in this specifica-
A shall be made in accordance with Test Method A 428. tion. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
7.3.2.2 The weight of coating test for metallic coating Type order, the manufacturer may use his own or any other suitable
B or Type C shall be made in accordance with Test Method facilities for the performance of the inspection and test
A 90. requirements unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time
the order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in this
8.1 The diameter of the wire shall not vary from that specification when such inspections and tests are deemed
specified by more than the tolerances specified in Table 8 or necessary to ensure that the material conforms to prescribed
Table 9. requirements.
9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance 13. Rejection and Rehearing
9.1 The surface of Finish 1, drawn metallic coated wire, 13.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests
shall be smooth and free from defects such as seams, pits, die made in accordance with this specification shall be reported to
marks, and other defects tending to impair the use of the wire the manufacturer within a reasonable length of time after
for springs. receipt of the material.
9.2 The surface of Finish 2, metallic coated at wire size, 13.2 The material must be adequately protected and cor-
shall be free of slivers, scale, and other defects tending to rectly identified in order that the producer may make a proper
impair the use of this wire for springs. The metallic coating investigation.
shall be smooth and continuous. If a sample does not demon-
14. Certification
strate a smooth and continuous coating, one sample shall be cut
from each end of the coil and examined. 14.1 When specified on the purchase order or contract, a
9.3 The wire shall be packaged so that it can be unwound in manufacturer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to
a trouble-free manner. the purchaser that the material was manufactured, sampled,
tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and
10. Sampling has been found to meet the requirements. When specified in the
10.1 A lot shall consist of all of the coils of wire of the same purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall be
size, type of coating, tensile strength class, metallic coating furnished.
type, finish, and heat or cast offered for inspection at one time. 14.2 The certification shall include the specification num-
A wire sample of sufficient length, approximately 4 ft (1.2 m), ber, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any.
shall be cut from either end of each coil selected for tests
15. Packaging, Marking, and Loading
described in 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3.
15.1 The coil weight, dimensions, and method of packaging
11. Number of Tests and Retests shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the
11.1 The number of test specimens taken from the ends of purchaser.

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 A 764
15.2 The size of wire, ASTM specification, finish, coating marking for shipment, in addition to requirements specified in
class, coating type, tensile class, and name or mark of the the contract or order, shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-
manufacturer shall be shown on a tag securely attached to each 129 for U.S. Military Agencies and in accordance with Fed.
package of wire. Std. No. 123 for U.S. Government Civil Agencies.
15.3 Unless otherwise specified in the purchaser’s order, 15.6 Bar Coding—In addition to the previously stated
packaging, marking, and loading for shipments shall be in identification requirements, bar coding is acceptable as a
accordance with those procedures outlined in Practices A 700. supplementary identification method. Bar coding should be
15.4 When specified in the contract or order, and for direct consistent with AIAG Standard 02.00. The bar code may be
procurement by or direct shipment to the U.S. Government, applied to a substantially affixed tag.
when Level A is specified, preservation, packaging, and pack-
ing shall be in accordance with the Level A requirement of 16. Keywords
MIL-STD-163. 16.1 aluminized; galvanized; mechanical springs; springs;
15.5 When specified in the contract or order, and for direct steel wire; wire; wire forms; zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal
procurement by or direct shipment to the U.S. Government, alloy coated

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