Astm A 143 - 03

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Designation: A 143/A 143M – 03

Standard Practice for


Safeguarding Against Embrittlement of Hot-Dip Galvanized
Structural Steel Products and Procedure for Detecting
Embrittlement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 143/A 143M; 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.

1. Scope Washers, and Rivets2


1.1 This practice covers procedures that can be followed to 3. Terminology
safeguard against the possible embrittlement of steel hot-dip
galvanized after fabrication, and outlines test procedures for 3.1 Definition:
detecting embrittlement. Conditions of fabrication may induce 3.1.1 embrittlement, n—the loss or partial loss of ductility in
a susceptibility to embrittlement in certain steels that can be a steel where an embrittled product characteristically fails by
accelerated by galvanizing. Embrittlement is not a common fracture without appreciable deformation; types of embrittle-
occurrence, however, and this discussion does not imply that ment usually encountered in galvanized steel are related to
galvanizing increases embrittlement where good fabricating aging phenomena, cold working, and absorption of hydrogen.
and galvanizing procedures are employed. Where history has 4. Factors in Embrittlement
shown that for specific steels, processes and galvanizing
procedures have been satisfactory, this history will serve as an 4.1 Embrittlement or loss of ductility in steel is often
indication that no embrittlement problem is to be expected for associated with strain-aging. Strain-aging refers to the delayed
those steels, processes, and galvanizing procedures. increase in hardness and strength, and loss of ductility and
1.2 This practice is applicable in either inch-pounds or SI impact resistance which occur in susceptible steels as a result
units. Inch-pounds and SI units are not necessarily exact of the strains induced by cold working. The aging changes
equivalents. Within the text of this practice and where appro- proceed slowly at room temperature, but proceed at an accel-
priate, SI units are shown in brackets. erated rate as the aging temperature is raised and may occur
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the rapidly at the galvanizing temperature of approximately 850°F
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the [455°C].
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.2 Hydrogen embrittlement may also occur due to the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- possibility of atomic hydrogen being absorbed by the steel. The
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement is influenced by the
type of steel, its previous heat treatment, and degree of
2. Referenced Documents previous cold work. In the case of galvanized steel, the acid
2.1 ASTM Standards: pickling reaction prior to galvanizing presents a potential
F 606 Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical Prop- source of hydrogen. However, the heat of the galvanizing bath
erties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners, partially expels hydrogen that may have been absorbed. In
practice hydrogen embrittlement of galvanized steel is usually
of concern only if the steel exceeds approximately 150 ksi
[1100 MPa] in ultimate tensile strength, or if it has been
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severely cold worked prior to pickling.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A05 on Metallic
Coated Iron and Steel Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.3 Loss of ductility of cold-worked steels is dependent on
A05.13 on Structural Shapes and Hardware Specifications. many factors including the type of steel (strength level, aging
Originally Prepared by Subcommittee A05.10 on Embrittlement Investigation of characteristics), thickness of steel, and degree of cold work,
Committee A05 on Corrosion of Iron and Steel and based on an investigation made and is accentuated by areas of stress concentration such as
by Battelle Memorial Institute under American Society for Testing and Materials’
sponsorship. See Proceedings, Am. Soc. Testing Mats., Vol 31, Part I, 1931, p. 211; caused by notches, holes, fillets of small radii, sharp bends, etc.
also paper by Samuel Epstein, “Embrittlement of Hot-Dip Galvanized Structural
Steel,” see Proceedings, Am. Soc. Testing Mats., Vol 32, Part II, 1932, p. 293.
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published May 2003. Originally
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approved in 1932. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as A 143 – 01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.08.

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A 143/A 143M – 03
4.4 Low temperatures increase the risk of brittle failure of 7. Preparation for Galvanizing
all plain carbon steels including steel that has been galvanized. 7.1 Hydrogen can be absorbed during pickling and in some
The rate at which this temperature loss of ductility occurs instances, as noted in 4.2, may contribute to embrittlement of
varies for different steels. The expected service temperature the galvanized product. The likelihood of this, or of surface
should thus be taken into account when selecting the steel. cracking occurring, is increased by excessive pickling tempera-
ture, prolonged pickling time, and poor inhibition of the
5. Steels pickling acid. Heating to 300°F [150°C] after pickling and
5.1 Open-hearth, basic-oxygen, and electric-furnace steels before galvanizing in most cases results in expulsion of
shall be used for galvanizing. Other materials that can be hydrogen absorbed during pickling.
galvanized include continuous cast slabs, steel or iron castings, 7.2 Abrasive blast cleaning followed by flash pickling may
and wrought iron. also be employed when over-pickling is of concern or when
very high strength steel, ultimate tensile strength higher than
6. Cold Working and Thermal Treatment 150 ksi [1100 MPa], must be galvanized. The abrasive blast
6.1 For intermediate and heavy shapes, plates, and hard- cleaning does not generate hydrogen while it is cleaning the
ware, cold bend radii should not be less than that which is surface of the steel. The flash pickling after abrasive blast
proven satisfactory by practice or by the recommendations of cleaning is used to remove any final traces of blast media
the steel manufacturer. These criteria generally depend on the before hot-dip galvanizing.
direction of grain, strength, and type of steel. A cold bending
radius of three times (33) the section thickness, or as recom- 8. Responsibility for Avoiding Embrittlement
mended in AISC Manual of Steel Construction,3 will ordinarily 8.1 Design of the product and selection of the proper steel
ensure satisfactory properties in the final product. Although for its suitability to be fabricated and to withstand normal
sharper bending on thin sections can usually be tolerated, galvanizing operations without embrittlement is the responsi-
embrittlement may occur if cold bending is especially severe. bility of the designer and fabricator. The galvanizer shall
If the design requires sharper bending than discussed herein, employ proper pickling and galvanizing procedures.
the bending should be done hot, or if done cold the material
should be subsequently annealed or stress relieved as noted in 9. Testing for Embrittlement of Steel Shapes, Steel
6.3. Castings, Threaded Articles, and Hardware Items
6.2 Smaller shapes, including thickness up to 1⁄4 in. [6.4 9.1 Subject to base material and dimensional limitations, the
mm] may be cold worked by punching without subsequent tests given in 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, or 9.5, or a combination thereof,
annealing or stress-relieving. Shapes 5⁄16 to 11⁄16 in. [8 to 18 shall apply. If one test specimen should be found embrittled by
mm] in thickness are not seriously affected as to serviceability these tests, two additional specimens should be tested. Failure
by cold punching or if the punching is done under good shop of either the second or the third specimen shall be cause for
practice. The heavier shapes, 3⁄4 in. [19 mm] and over, shall be rejection of the lot (see Note 1) that the samples represent.
reamed with at least 1⁄16 in. [1.6 mm] of metal removed from NOTE 1—A lot is a unit of production from which a sample may be
the periphery of the hole after punching, or shall be drilled, or taken for testing. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the manufacturer and
thermally treated prior to galvanizing as noted in 6.3. the purchaser, or established within this practice, the lot shall be as
6.3 Fabrication in accordance with the principles outlined in follows: For test at a manufacturer’s facility, a lot is one or more articles
6.1 and 6.2 will normally obviate the need for thermal of the same type and size comprising a single order or a single delivery
treatment. However, if required, proper thermal treatment shall load, whichever is the smaller, or a smaller number of articles identified as
a lot by the manufacturer, when these have been galvanized within a single
precede galvanizing of the steel. For heavy cold deformation
production shift. For test by purchaser after delivery, the lot consists of the
exemplified by cold rolling, sheared edges, punched holes, or single order or the single delivery load, whichever is the smaller, unless
cold-formed rods and bolts, subcritical annealing at tempera- the lot identity, established in accordance with the above, is maintained
tures from 1200 to 1300°F [650 to 705°C] should be employed. and clearly indicated in the shipment by the manufacturer.
For less severe cold deformation typified by cold bending, roll 9.2 A convenient bend test for embrittlement of galvanized
forming, etc., it is advisable to limit the thermal treatment to steel hardware such as bolts, pole and tower steps, braces, rods,
stress relieving at a maximum of 1100°F [595°C] to avoid reinforcing bars, etc., consists of bending the article and
excessive grain growth or alternatively to fully normalize the comparing the degree of bending to that which is obtained on
steel at temperatures from 1600 to 1700°F [870 to 925°C]. The a similar ungalvanized article. The article, before and after
time at temperature should be approximately 1 h/in. [24 galvanizing, may be clamped in a vise and using a lever if
min/cm] of section thickness. necessary, bent until cracking of the base steel occurs, or to 90°
6.4 Flame cut copes on structural beams shall have a whichever is less. In the case of previously bent articles such as
minimum radius of 1 in. [2.5 cm]. After cutting, the cut surface reinforcing bars, the test shall be accomplished by reverse
shall be ground to remove notches, grooves, and irregular bending the previously bent section. The galvanized article
surface features to leave the surface smooth. should withstand a degree of bending substantially the same as
the ungalvanized article. Flaking or spalling of the galvanized
coating is not to be construed as an embrittlement failure. For
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Available from American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), One East threaded articles, the test shall be made on the unthreaded
Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60601-2001. 9th Edition. portion.
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A 143/A 143M – 03
9.3 Small steel castings and steel hardware of such shape or Leg of Angle, l, in. [mm] Length Between Minimum Length, L2,
size that do not permit bending may be struck a sharp blow (see Fig. 1) Supports, L1, in. [mm]
in. [mm]
with a 2-lb [1-kg] hammer and the results for both galvanized
and ungalvanized samples compared. If the article withstands Up to 4 [102], incl 14 [356] 18 [457]
such a blow in the ungalvanized condition, but after galvaniz- Over 4 to 6 [102 to 152], incl 20 [508] 24 [610]
Over 6 to 8 [152 to 203], incl 30 [762] 36 [914]
ing cracks under the blow, it shall be considered embrittled.
9.4 A test for embrittlement of galvanized steel angles is 9.4.2.2 After the test, the distance along the gage length
detailed as follows: from each punch mark to the corresponding edge of the
9.4.1 Test Specimen—A test specimen with a length deter- fracture shall be measured to 0.01 in. [0.25 mm] with a flexible
mined by the table in 9.4.2.1 and by Fig. 1 shall be cut from the scale and the percentage of elongation calculated from the sum
steel angle before galvanizing. A hole shall be made in the test of these distances.
specimen at its midlength, using the same procedure as will be 9.4.2.3 For determining the percentage reduction of thick-
employed in the fabricated material which the specimen ness after fracture, the reduction shall be measured with a
represents, whether this be by punching, punching and ream- ball-point micrometer at the three locations indicated in Fig. 2:
ing, or drilling. The dimensional values, diameter, and location namely a, outer side of hole; b, inner side of hole; and c,
of hole shall be not less than those employed in the structural middle of leg. The percentage reduction of thickness shall be
details. Care should be taken not to place the hole near stamped calculated on the basis of the original thickness of the angle
or rolled-in identification marks. The specimen shall then be and the average of the three values at a, b, and c.
galvanized. For determining the elongation after fracture, a 9.4.2.4 The test shall be made upon galvanized specimens
2-in. [51-mm] gage length (Fig. 1) shall be prick-punched in having a temperature not below 60°F [16°C] and not over 90°F
the middle of the edge of the vertical leg of the galvanized [32°C] when tested.
angle along a line parallel to its length and centered directly 9.4.3 Requirements—The elongation measured in accor-
under the hole. For specimens under 1⁄2 in. [13 mm] in dance with 9.4.2.2 shall be not less than 5 % with the following
thickness, or those in which the distance from the edge of the exception: when the specimen does not show 5 % elongation,
hole to the edge of the angle is less than 3⁄8 in. [10 mm], a 1-in. the reduction in thickness shall be measured in accordance with
[25-mm] gage length shall be used. 9.4.2.3. The sum of the percentage of elongation plus the
9.4.2 Procedure: average percentage reduction of thickness shall not be less than
9.4.2.1 The test shall be made in a universal testing ma- 10.
chine, or by other means such as a press with the load applied 9.5 For hot-dip galvanized externally threaded fasteners, an
slowly, until fracture of the galvanized test specimen occurs. alternate test to Section 9.2 for embrittlement is detailed in Test
The length of the test specimen and the distance between the Method F 606.
supports are shown in the following table:
10. Keywords
10.1 coatings-zinc; galvanized coatings; steel products-
metallic coated; zinc coatings-steel products
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NOTE 1—2 in. = 51 mm.


FIG. 1 Specimen for Elongation after Fracture FIG. 2 Measurement of Reduction of Thickness after Fracture

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