A02 SPECIFICATION FOR CHROMIUM-VANADIUM

ALLOY STEEL SPRING WIRE

SA-231/SA-231M

(Identical to ASTM Specification A 231 /A 231M-96 except that certification requirements in 13.1 are mandatory)

1. Scope 2.5 AIAG Standard:

AIAGB-5 02.00 Primary Metals Identification Tag Appli-
1.1 This specification covers round chromium-vana-
cation Standard
dium alloy steel spring wire having properties and
quality intended for the manufacture of springs used
at moderately elevated temperatures. This wire shall
be either in the annealed and cold-drawn or oil-tempered 3. Ordering Information
condition as specified by the purchaser.
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
1.2 The values stated in either SI (metric) units or include the following information for each ordered item:
inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as stan-
dard. The values stated in each system are not exact 3.1.1 Quantity (mass);
equivalents; therefore, each system must be used inde-
3.1.2 Name of material (chromium-vanadium alloy
pendent of the other.
steel wire);
3.1.3 Wire diameter (Table 1 and Table 2);
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.4 Packaging (Section 14);
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Test- 3.1.5 Cast or heat analysis report (if requested)
ing of Steel Products (5.2);
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
3.1.6 Certification and test report (Section 13); and
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for 3.1.7 ASTM designation and date of issue.
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
A 752 Specification for General Requirements for Wire NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 20,000 kg
oil-tempered chromium-vanadium alloy steel wire, size 6.00 mm in
Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Alloy Steel 150 kg coils to ASTM A 231M dated_________, or for inch-pound
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data units, 40 000 lb oil-tempered chromium-vanadium alloy steel spring
to Determine Conformance with Specifications wire, size 0.250 in. in 350 lb coils to ASTM A 231 dated_________.

2.2 ANSI Standard:

B 32.4M Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rect-
angle, and Hexagon Metal Products 4. Materials and Manufacture
2.3 Military Standard: 4.1 The steel may be made by any commercially
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship- accepted steel-making process. The steel may be either
ment and Storage ingot cast or strand cast.

2.4 Federal Standard: 4.2 The finished wire shall be free from detrimental
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies) pipe and undue segregation.

371.1
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-231/SA-231M

5. Chemical Composition diameter shall wrap without breakage on a mandrel

twice the wire diameter. The wrap test is not applicable
5.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as
to wire over 8.00 mm or 0.312 in. in diameter.
to chemical composition specified in Table 3.
6.3.2 Number of Tests — One test specimen shall
5.2 Cast or Heat Analysis — Each cast or heat of
be taken for each ten coils, or fraction thereof, in a
steel shall be analyzed by the manufacturer to determine
lot. Each cast or heat in a given lot shall be tested.
the percentage of elements prescribed in Table 3. This
analysis shall be made from a test specimen preferably 6.3.3 Location of Test — Test specimens shall be
taken during the pouring of the cast or heat. When taken from either end of the coil.
requested, this shall be reported to the purchaser and
6.3.4 Test Method — The wrap test shall be made
shall conform to the requirements of Table 3.
in accordance with Supplement IV of Test Methods
5.3 Product Analysis (formerly Check Analysis) — and Definitions A 370.
An analysis may be made by the purchaser from finished
wire representing each cast or heat of steel. The chemical
composition thus determined, as to elements required 7. Metallurgical Properties
or restricted, shall conform to the product (check)
7.1 Surface Condition:
analysis requirements specified in Table 5 of Specifica-
tion A 752. 7.1.1 The surface of the wire as received shall be
free of rust and excessive scale. No serious die marks,
5.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, scratches, or seams may be present. Based upon exami-
and Terminology A 751 shall be used. nation of etched end specimen, seams shall not exceed
3.5% of the wire diameter, or 0.25 mm or 0.010 in.,
whichever is the smaller as measured on a transverse
6. Mechanical Properties section.
6.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn — When purchased 7.1.2 Number of Tests — One test specimen shall
in the annealed and cold-drawn condition, the wire be taken for each ten coils, or fraction thereof, in a
shall have been given a sufficient amount of cold lot. Each cast or heat in a given lot shall be tested.
working to meet the purchaser’s coiling requirements
and shall be in a suitable condition to respond properly 7.1.3 Location of Test — Test specimens shall be
to heat treatment. In special cases the hardness, if taken from either or both ends of the coil.
desired, shall be stated in the purchase order. 7.1.4 Test Method — The surface shall be examined
6.2 Oil Tempered — When purchased in the oil- after etching in a solution of equal parts of hydrochloric
tempered condition, the tensile strength and minimum acid and water that has been heated to approximately
percent reduction of area, sizes 2.50 mm or 0.105 in. and 80° C. Test ends shall be examined using 10ⴛ magnifi-
coarser, of the wire shall conform to the requirements as cation. Any specimen which shows questionable seams
shown in Table 1 or Table 2. of borderline depth shall have a transverse section taken
from the unetched area, properly mounted and polished
6.2.1 Number of Tests — One test specimen shall and examined to measure the depth of the seam.
be taken for each ten coils, or fraction thereof, in a
lot. Each cast or heat in a given lot shall be tested.
6.2.2 Location of Tests — Test specimens shall 8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
be taken from either end of the coil. 8.1 The permissible variations in the diameter of the
wire shall be as specified in Table 4 or Table 5.
6.2.3 Test Method — The tension test shall be
made in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions
A 370.
9. Workmanship and Appearance
6.3 Wrap Test:
9.1 Annealed and Cold Drawn—The wire shall not
6.3.1 Oil tempered or cold drawn wire 4.00 mm be kinked or improperly cast. To test for cast, a few
or 0.162 in. and smaller in diameter shall wind on convolutions of wire shall be cut loose from the coil
itself as an arbor without breakage. Larger diameter and placed on a flat surface. The wire shall lie flat on
wire up to and including 8.00 mm or 0.312 in. in itself and not spring up nor show a wavy condition.

371.2
SA-231/SA-231M 2001 SECTION II

9. Oil Tempered — The wire shall be uniform in 13. Certification

quality and temper and shall not be wavy or crooked.
13.1 A manufacturer’s or supplier’s certification shall
9.3 Each coil shall be one continuous length of wire be furnished to the purchaser that the material was
properly coiled. Welds made prior to cold drawing are manufactured, sampled, tested, and inspected in accord-
permitted. If unmarked welds are unacceptable to the ance with this specification and has been found to meet
purchaser, special arrangements should be made with the requirements. A report of the test results shall be
the manufacturer at the time of the purchase. furnished.
9.4 Appearance — The surface shall be smooth and 13.2 The certification shall include the specification
free of defects such as seams, pits, die marks, and number, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any.
other defects tending to impair the use of the wire for
springs. Any additional surface requirements must be
negotiated at the time of entry of the order.
14. Packaging, Marking, and Loading for
Shipment
10. Retests 14.1 The coil mass, dimensions, and the method
of packaging shall be as agreed upon between the
10.1 If any test specimen exhibits obvious defects
manufacturer and purchaser.
or shows the presence of a weld, it may be discarded
and another specimen substituted. 14.2 The size of the wire, purchaser’s order number,
ASTM Specification number, heat number, and name
or mark of the manufacturer shall be marked on a tag
11. Inspection securely attached to each coil of wire.
11.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or 14.3 Unless otherwise specified in the purchaser’s
purchase order, the manufacturer is responsible for the order, packing, marking, and loading for shipments shall
performance of all inspection and test requirements be in accordance with those procedures recommended by
specified in this specification. Except as otherwise speci- Practices A 700.
fied in the contract or purchase order, the manufacturer
may use his own or any other suitable facilities for 14.4 For Government Procurement:
the performance of the inspection and test requirements
14.4.1 Packaging, packing, and marking of material
unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time the
for military procurement shall be in accordance with
order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to
the requirements of MIL-STD-163, Level A, Level C,
perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in
or commercial as specified in the contract or purchase
this specification when such inspections and tests are
order. Marking for shipment of material for civil agen-
deemed necessary to assure that the material conforms
cies shall be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123.
to prescribed requirements.
14.5 Bar Coding — In addition to the previously-
stated identification requirements, bar coding is accept-
12. Rejection and Rehearing able as a supplementary identification method. Bar
coding should be consistent with AIAG B-5 02.00,
12.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based
Primary Metals Identification Tag Application. The bar
on tests made in accordance with this specification
code may be applied to a substantially affixed tag.
shall be reported to the manufacturer as soon as possible
so that an investigation may be initiated.
12.2 The material must be adequately protected and
15. Keywords
correctly identified in order that the manufacturer may
make a proper investigation. 15.1 alloy; chromium-vanadium; spring; wire

371.3
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-231/SA-231M

TABLE 2
TENSILE REQUIREMENTS, INCH-POUND UNITS A
TABLE 1
TENSILE REQUIREMENTS, SI UNITS A Tensile Strength,
ksi
Tensile Strength, Reduction of Areas,
MPa Diameter,B in. Min. Max. Min., %
Reduction of Areas,
Diameter,B mm Min. Max. Min., % 0.020 300 325 C
C
0.032 290 315
C
0.50 2060 2260 0.041 280 305 C
C
0.55 2050 2240 0.054 270 295 C
C
0.60 2030 2220 0.062 265 290 C
C
0.65 2010 2200 0.080 255 275 C
C
0.70 2000 2160 0.105 245 265 45
C
0.80 1980 2140 0.135 235 255 45
C
0.90 1960 2120 0.162 225 245 40
C
1.00 1940 2100 0.192 220 240 40
C
1.10 1920 2080 0.244 210 230 40
C
1.20 1900 2060 0.283 205 225 40
C
1.40 1860 2020 0.312 203 223 40
C
1.60 1820 1980 0.375 200 220 40
C
1.80 1800 1960 0.438 195 215 40
C
2.00 1780 1930 0.500 190 210 40
C
2.20 1750 1900
2.50 1720 1860 45 NOTES:
A
2.80 1680 1830 45 Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be
3.00 1660 1800 45 interpolated.
B
3.50 1620 1760 45 Preferred sizes. For a complete list, refer to ANSI B 32.4M,
4.00 1580 1720 40 Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rectangle, and Hexagon
4.50 1560 1680 40 Metal Products.
C
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire diameters under
5.00 1520 1640 40
0.092 in.
5.50 1480 1620 40
6.00 1460 1600 40
6.50 1440 1580 40
7.00 1420 1560 40
8.00 1400 1540 40
9.00 1380 1520 40
10.00 1360 1500 40
11.00 1340 1480 40
12.00 1320 1460 40
TABLE 3
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS
NOTES: Element Analysis, %
A
Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be
interpolated. Carbon 0.48-0.53
B
Preferred sizes. For a complete list, refer to ANSI B 32.4M,
Manganese 0.70-0.90
Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rectangle, and Hexagon
Metal Products. Phosphorus 0.040 max.
C
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire diameters under Sulfur 0.040 max.
2.34 mm. Silicon 0.15-0.35
Chromium 0.80-1.10
Vanadium 0.15 min.

371.4
SA-231/SA-231M 2001 SECTION II

TABLE 4 TABLE 5
PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS IN WIRE DIAMETER, PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS IN WIRE DIAMETER,
SI UNITS A INCH-POUND UNITS A
Permissible Permissible
Variations, plus and Permissible Out- Variations, Plus Permissible Out-
Diameter, mm Minus, mm of Round, mm Diameter, in. and Minus, mm of Round, mm

To 0.70, incl. 0.02 0.02 0.020 to 0.028, incl. 0.0008 0.0008

Over 0.70 to 2.00, incl. 0.03 0.03 Over 0.028 to 0.075, incl. 0.001 0.001
Over 2.00 to 9.00, incl. 0.05 0.05 Over 0.075 to 0.375, incl. 0.002 0.002
Over 9.00 0.08 0.08 Over 0.375 to 0.500, incl. 0.003 0.003

NOTE: NOTE:
A A
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, For purposes of determining conformance with this specification,
all specified limits are absolute as defined in Practice E 29. all specified limits are absolute as defined in Practice E 29.

371.5