Designation: A 682 – 93

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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Specification for

Steel, Strip, High-Carbon, Cold-Rolled, Spring Quality,
General Requirements For1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 682; 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.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense. Consult the DoD Index of Specifications and
Standards for the specific year of issue which has been adopted by the Department of Defense.

1. Scope E 44 Definitions of Terms Relating to Heat Treatment of

Metals5
1.1 This specification covers the general requirements for
E 112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size4
cold-rolled carbon spring steel strip in coils or cut lengths.
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)6
Strip is classified by size as a product that is 0.2499 in. or less
2.2 Federal Standards:
in thickness and over 1⁄2 to 2315⁄16 in. in width, inclusive. Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)7
1.2 The maximum of the specified carbon range is over Fed. Std. No. 183 Continuous Identification Marking of Iron
0.25 % to 1.35 %, inclusive. and Steel Products7
1.3 The above shall apply to the cold-rolled carbon spring 2.3 Military Standards:
steel strip furnished under each of the following specifications MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipping and Storage7
issued by ASTM: MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products Preparation for Ship-
ASTM ment and Storage7
Title of Specification Designation 2.4 SAE Standard:
Steel, Carbon, Strip, Cold-Rolled Hard, Untempered A 6802 J 1086 Recommended Practice for Numbering Metals and
Spring Quality
Steel, Carbon, Strip, Cold-Rolled Soft, Untempered A 6842 Alloys (UNS)8
Spring Quality
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—A complete metric companion to Specification A 682 has
been developed—Specification A 682M; therefore, no metric equivalents
3.1 Definitions:
are presented in this specification. 3.1.1 burr—metal displaced beyond the plane of the surface
by slitting or shearing.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.2 decarburization—refer to Definitions E 44.
3.1.3 lot—the quantity of material of the same type, size,
2.1 ASTM Standards: and finish produced at one time from the same cast or heat, and
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing heat treated in the same heat-treatment cycle.
of Steel Products2
A 680/A 680M Specification for Steel-Hydrocarbon, Strip, 4. General Requirements for Delivery
Cold-Rolled Hard Untempered Quality2 4.1 The requirements of the purchase order, the individual
A 684/A 684M Specification for Steel, Strip, High Carbon, material specification, and this general specification shall
Cold Rolled2 govern in the sequence stated.
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading 4.2 Products covered by this specification are produced to
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment3 decimal thickness only, and decimal thickness tolerances apply.
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products2 5. Materials and Manufacture
E 3 Methods of Preparation of Metallographic Specimens4 5.1 Melting Practice—The steel shall be made by either the
open-hearth, basic-oxygen, or electric-furnace process. It is
1 normally produced as a fully killed steel. Elements such as
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.19 on Sheet Steel and Steel Sheets.
5
Current edition approved June 15, 1993. Published August 1993. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02.
6
published as A 682 – 73. Last previous edition A 682 – 91. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
7
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS
8
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive,
Warrendale, PA 15096.

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 A 682
aluminum may be added in sufficient amounts to control the form. The strip may be subjected to product analysis by the
austenitic grain size. purchaser either for the purpose of verifying that the chemical
5.2 Cold Working Procedure: composition is within specified limits for each element, includ-
5.2.1 Prior to cold rolling, the hot-rolled strip shall be ing applicable tolerance for product analysis, or to determine
descaled by chemical or mechanical means. variations in compositions within a cast or heat. The results of
5.2.2 The strip shall be cold rolled by reducing to thickness analyses taken from different pieces within a case may differ
at room temperature (that is, below the recrystallization tem- from each other and from the cast analysis. The chemical
perature). composition thus determined shall not vary from the limits
specified by more than the amounts shown in Table 3, but the
6. Chemical Composition several determinations of any element in any cast may not vary
6.1 Limits: both above and below the specified range.
6.1.1 When carbon steel strip is specified to chemical 6.4 Methods of Analysis—Test Methods, Practices, and
composition, the compositions are commonly prepared using Terminology A 751 shall be used for referee purposes.
the ranges and limits shown in Table 1. The elements compris-
ing the desired chemical composition are specified in one of 7. Metallurgical Structure
three ways: 7.1 Grain Size:
6.1.1.1 By a maximum limit, 7.1.1 The steel strip shall have an austenitic grain size of
6.1.1.2 By a minimum limit, or which a minimum of 70 % is 5 or finer.
6.1.1.3 By minimum and maximum limits, termed the 7.1.2 One sample shall be taken from each lot.
“range.” By common usage, the range is the arithmetical 7.1.3 The sample shall be evaluated in accordance with Test
difference between the two limits (for example, 0.60 to 0.71 is Methods E 112.
0.11 range). 7.2 Decarburization:
6.1.2 Steel grade numbers indicating chemical composition 7.2.1 When specified, the steel strip shall have a maximum
commonly produced to this specification are shown in Table 2 permissible depth of complete plus partial decarburization of
and may be used. 0.001 in. or 1.5 % of the thickness of the strip, whichever is
6.2 Cast or Heat (Formerly Ladle) Analysis: greater, except that strip less than 0.011 in. thick shall show no
6.2.1 An analysis of each cast or heat of steel shall be made complete decarburization.
by the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements 7.2.2 At least one specimen from each lot shall be taken for
specified or restricted by the applicable specification. microscopical examination.
6.2.2 When requested, cast or heat analysis for elements 7.2.3 The specimens shall be prepared for microscopical
listed or required shall be reported to the purchaser or to his examination in accordance with Methods E 3. The prepared
representative. specimen shall not be less than 1⁄2 in. in length, representing the
6.3 Product Analysis (Formerly Check Analysis)—Product full thickness, and shall be perpendicular to the rolling direc-
analysis is the chemical analysis of the semi-finished product tion. The examination of the specimen includes the periphery
and therefore it must be polished in a single plane without edge
TABLE 1 Cast or Heat (Formerly Ladle) Analysis Limits and rounding. The specimen shall be etched and shall be examined
Ranges at 1003 magnification. The depth of decarburization reported
Standard Chemical Limits and should be the average depth in both the amount of free ferrite
Element Ranges, Limit or Max of Range, % (complete decarburization) and the affected depth to the point
Specified Range
where carbon content appears to be the same as the carbon
CarbonA over 0.25 to 0.30, incl 0.06
over 0.30 to 0.40, incl 0.07
content of the strip (partial decarburization) under investiga-
over 0.40 to 0.60, incl 0.08 tion. In some instances, it is necessary to resort to heat
over 0.60 to 0.80, incl 0.11 treatment of the specimens to reveal decarburized areas more
over 0.80 to 1.35, incl 0.14
accurately.
Manganese to 0.50, incl 0.20
over 0.50 to 1.15, incl 0.30 8. Mechanical Requirements
over 1.15 to 1.65, incl 0.35
8.1 The mechanical property requirements, number of
Phosphorous to 0.08, incl 0.03 specimens, and test locations and specimen orientation shall be
over 0.08 to 0.15, incl 0.05 in accordance with the applicable product specification.
Sulfur to 0.08, incl 0.03
8.2 Unless otherwise specified in the applicable product
over 0.08 to 0.15, incl 0.05 specification, test specimens must be prepared in accordance
over 0.15 to 0.23, incl 0.07 with Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
over 0.23 to 0.33, incl 0.10
8.3 Mechanical tests shall be conducted in accordance with
Silicon to 0.20, incl 0.10 Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
over 0.20 to 0.30, incl 0.15
over 0.30 to 0.60, incl 0.30 9. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
A
The carbon ranges shown in the column headed Range apply when the 9.1 The thickness, width, camber, and length tolerances
specified maximum limit for manganese does not exceed 1.00 %. When the
maximum manganese limit exceeds 1.00 %, add 0.01 to the carbon ranges shown shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 4, Table 5,
above. Table 6, Table 7, Table 8, and Table 9.

2
 A 682
TABLE 2 Cast or Heat (Formerly Ladle) Analysis Chemical Composition, %
Steel Phosphorus, Sulfur,
UNS DesignationA Carbon Manganese SiliconC
Grade maxB maxB
G10300 1030 0.27 to 0.34 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10350 1035 0.31 to 0.38 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10400 1040 0.36 to 0.44 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10450 1045 0.42 to 0.50 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10500 1050 0.47 to 0.55 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10550 1055 0.52 to 0.60 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10600 1060 0.55 to 0.66 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10640 1064 0.59 to 0.70 0.50 to 0.80 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10650 1065 0.59 to 0.70 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10700 1070 0.65 to 0.76 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10740 1074 0.69 to 0.80 0.50 to 0.80 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10800 1080 0.74 to 0.88 0.60 to 0.90 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10850 1085 0.80 to 0.94 0.70 to 1.00 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10860 1086 0.80 to 0.94 0.30 to 0.50 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
G10950 1095 0.90 to 1.04 0.30 to 0.50 0.035 0.040 0.15 to 0.30
A
New designation established in accordance with Practice E 527 and SAE J 1086, Recommended Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS).
B
Ordinarily produced to 0.025 % max phosphorus and 0.035 % max sulfur by cast or heat analysis.
C
When specified, silicon may be ordered at 0.10 to 0.20 %.

TABLE 3 Permissible Variations from Specified Cast or Heat TABLE 5 Width Tolerances for Edges Nos. 1, 4, 5, and 6, Cold-
(Formerly Ladle) Analysis Ranges and Limits Rolled Carbon Spring Steel Strip
Variations Over Max Limit or Under Width Tolerances, in.
Limit or Max of Min Limit
Element Width
Specification, %
Under Min Limit Over Max Limit Tolerance,
Edge No. Specified Width Specified Thickness
Over and
Carbon over 0.25 to 0.40, incl 0.03 0.04
Under
over 0.40 to 0.80, incl 0.03 0.05
over 0.80 0.03 0.06 1 Over 1⁄2 to 3⁄4, incl 0.0938 and thinner 0.005
Manganese to 0.60, incl 0.03 0.03 1 Over 3⁄4 to 7, incl 0.125 and thinner 0.005
over 0.60 to 1.15, incl 0.04 0.04
over 1.15 to 1.65, incl 0.05 0.05 4 Over ⁄
12 to 1, incl 0.1875 to 0.025, incl 0.015
Phosphorus ... ... 0.01 4 Over 1 to 2, incl 0.2499 to 0.025, incl 0.025
Sulfur ... ... 0.01 4 Over 2 to 4, incl 0.2499 to 0.035, incl 0.047
Silicon to 0.30,incl 0.02 0.03 4 Over 4 to 6, incl 0.2499 to 0.047, incl 0.047
over 0.30 to 0.60 0.05 0.05
5 Over ⁄ to 3⁄4, incl
12 0.0938 and thinner 0.005
5 Over ⁄ to 5, incl
34 0.125 and thinner 0.005
TABLE 4 Thickness Tolerances (Plus or Minus), Cold-Rolled 5 Over 5 to 9, incl 0.125 to 0.008, incl 0.010
Carbon Strip Steel Including High Carbon Strip SteelA 5 Over 9 to 20, incl 0.105 to 0.015, incl 0.010
5 Over 20 to 23 15⁄16, incl 0.080 to 0.023, incl 0.015
Nominal Over ½ in. to
12 in. to less 18 in. to
Gage Less than 12 in. 6 Over ⁄
12 to 1, incl 0.1875 to 0.025, incl 0.015
than 18 in. 2315⁄16 in.
(in.) wide 6 Over 1 to 2, incl 0.2499 to 0.025, incl 0.025
.160–.250 .0025 .0032 .0036 6 Over 2 to 4, incl 0.2499 to 0.035, incl 0.047
.125–.1599 .0022 .0028 .0032 6 Over 4 to 6, incl 0.2499 to 0.047, incl 0.047
.070–.1249 .0018 .0022 .0028
.040–.0699 .0014 .0018 .0024
.030–.0399 .0012 .0015 .0020 TABLE 6 Width Tolerances for Edge No. 2 (Mill) Cold-Rolled
.020–.0299 .0010 .0013 .0015 Carbon Spring Steel Strip
.015–.0199 .0008 .0010 .0012
Width Tolerances, in.
.010–.0149 .0005 .0008 .0010
<.010 .0003 .0006 .0008 Specified Width Tolerances, Over and Under
A
Measured ⁄ in. or more in from edge; and on narrower than 1 in., at any place
38
Over ⁄ to 2 incl
12 ⁄
1 32

between edges. Over 2 to 5, incl ⁄

3 64

Over 5 to 10, incl 5⁄64

9.2 Flatness—It is not practical to formulate flatness toler- Over 10 to 15, incl 3⁄32

Over 15 to 20, incl 1⁄8

ances for cold-rolled carbon spring steel strip to represent the Over 20 to 23 15⁄16 5⁄32

range of widths and thicknesses in coils and cut lengths.

10. Finish and Edges 10.2.2 No. 2—A natural mill edge carried through the cold
10.1 Surface—The surface requirements shall be as speci- rolling from the hot-rolled strip without additional processing
fied in the product specifications. of the edge.
10.2 Edges—Cold-rolled carbon spring steel strip shall be 10.2.3 No. 3—An approximately square edge produced by
supplied with one of the following edges as specified: slitting on which the burr is not eliminated. This is produced
10.2.1 No. 1—A prepared edge of a specified contour when the edge condition is not a critical requirement for the
(round or square) that is produced when a very accurate width finished part. Normal coiling or piling does not provide a
is required or when an edge condition suitable for electroplat- definite positioning of the slitting burr.
ing is required, or both. 10.2.4 No. 4—An approximately rounded edge. This edge is

3
 A 682
TABLE 7 Width Tolerances for Edge No. 3 (Slit) Cold-Rolled not afford the same opportunity to remove portions containing
Carbon Spring Steel Strip imperfections as is the case with cut lengths.
Width Tolerances, in.
Tolerances for
12. Number of Tests and Retests
Specified Width Thickness Specified Width, 12.1 The difficulties in obtaining truly representative
Over and Under
samples of strip without destroying the usefulness of the coil
Over 1⁄2 to 6, incl over 0.160 to 0.2499, incl 0.016 account for the generally accepted practice of allowing retests
Over 6 to 12, incl over 0.160 to 0.2499, incl 0.020
Over 12 to 23 15⁄16, incl over 0.160 to 0.2499, incl 0.031 for mechanical properties and surface examination. Two addi-
tional samples are secured from each end of the coil from
Over 1⁄2 to 6, incl over 0.099 to 0.160, incl 0.010 which the original sample was taken. A portion of the coil may
Over 6 to 12, incl over 0.099 to 0.160, incl 0.016
Over 12 to 23 15⁄16, incl over 0.099 to 0.160, incl 0.020 be discarded prior to cutting the samples for retest. If any of the
retests fail to comply with the requirements, the coil shall be
Over 1⁄2 to 6, incl over 0.068 to 0.099, incl 0.008 rejected.
Over 6 to 12, incl over 0.068 to 0.099, incl 0.010
Over 12 to 20, incl over 0.068 to 0.099, incl 0.016
Over 20 to 23 15⁄16, incl over 0.068 to 0.099, incl 0.020
13. Rework and Retreatment
13.1 Lots rejected for failure to meet the specified require-
Over 1⁄2 to 9, incl over 0.016 to 0.068, incl 0.005
Over 9 to 12, incl over 0.016 to 0.068, incl 0.010
ments may be resubmitted for test provided the manufacturer
Over 12 to 20, incl over 0.016 to 0.068, incl 0.016 has reworked the lots as necessary to correct the deficiency or
Over 20 to 23 15⁄16, incl over 0.016 to 0.068, incl 0.020 has removed the nonconforming material.
Over 1⁄2 to 9, incl up to 0.016, incl 0.005 14. Inspection
Over 9 to 12, incl up to 0.016, incl 0.010
Over 12 to 20, incl up to 0.016, incl 0.016 14.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
Over 20 to 23 15⁄16, incl up to 0.016, incl 0.020 all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the
material is being produced and furnished in accordance with
TABLE 8 Camber Tolerances, Cold-Rolled Carbon Spring this specification. Mill inspection by the purchaser shall not
Steel Strip interfere unnecessarily with the manufacturer’s operations.
Note—Camber is the derivation of a side edge from a straight line. The
Unless otherwise agreed to, all tests and inspections, except
standard for measuring this deviation is based on any 8–ft length. It is product analysis, shall be made at the place of production.
obtained by placing an 8–ft straightedge on the concave side and
15. Rejection and Rehearing
measuring the maximum distance between the strip edge and the straight-
edge. 15.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests
Width, in. Camber Tolerances, max made in accordance with this specification shall be reported to
Over 1⁄2 to 1 1⁄2, incl ⁄ in any 8 ft
12 the purchaser within a reasonable time.
Over 1 1⁄2 to 23 15⁄16, incl Over 1⁄4 in any 8 ft 15.2 Material that shows injurious defects subsequent to its
acceptance at the purchaser’s works shall be rejected and the
manufacturer shall be notified. The material must be ad-
TABLE 9 Length Tolerances, Cold-Rolled Carbon Spring
Steel Strip equately protected and correctly identified in order that the
Specified Length, in.A
manufacturer may make a proper investigation. In case of
Specified Width, in.
dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the manufacturer
24 to 60, Over 60 to Over 120 to
incl 120, incl 240, incl may make claims for a rehearing.
Over 1⁄2 to 12, incl ⁄
14 ⁄
12 ⁄
34
16. Certification and Reports
Over 12 to 23 15⁄16, incl ⁄
12 ⁄
34 1
A
16.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order,
Tolerance over specified length. No tolerances under.
a manufacturer’s certification that the material was produced
and tested in accordance with this specification shall be
produced when the width tolerance and edge condition are not furnished. A report of the test results may be included if
as exacting as for No. 1 edges. required.
10.2.5 No. 5—An approximately square edge produced
from slit edge material on which the burr is eliminated. 17. Marking
10.2.6 No. 6—An approximately square edge. This edge is 17.1 Unless otherwise specified, the material shall be iden-
produced when the width tolerance and edge condition are not tified by having the manufacturer’s name or mark, ASTM
as exacting as for No. 1 edges. designation, weight, purchase order number, and material
identification legibly stenciled on top of each lift or shown on
11. Workmanship a tag attached to each coil or shipping unit.
11.1 The steel shall have a workmanlike appearance and 17.2 When specified in the contract or order, and for direct
shall not have defects of a nature or degree for the grade and procurement by or direct shipment to the Government, marking
quality ordered that will be detrimental to the fabrication of the for shipment, in addition to requirements specified in the
finished part. contract or order, shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-129
11.2 Coils may contain some abnormalities that render a for military agencies and in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123
portion of the coil unusable since the inspection of coils does for civil agencies.

4
 A 682
17.3 For Government procurement by the Defense Supply 18.2 When Level A is specified in the contract or order, and
Agency, strip material shall be continuously marked for iden- for direct procurement by or direct shipment to the Govern-
tification in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 183. ment, preservation, packaging, and packing shall be in accor-
17.4 Bar coding is acceptable as a supplementary identifi- dance with the Level A requirements of MIL-STD-163.
cation method. Bar coding should be consistent with the 18.3 When coils are ordered it is customary to specify a
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) standard prepared minimum or range of inside diameter, maximum outside
by the primary metals subcommittee of the AIAG bar code diameter, and a maximum coil weight, if required. The ability
project team.
of manufacturers to meet the maximum coil weights depends
18. Packaging upon individual mill equipment. When required, minimum coil
18.1 Unless otherwise specified, the strip shall be packaged weights are subject to negotiation.
and loaded in accordance with Practices A 700.

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