Designation: A 148/A 148M – 01 An American National Standard

Standard Specification for

Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 148/A 148M; 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 TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements

1.1 This specification covers carbon steel, alloy steel, and

Grade Composition, %
martensitic stainless steel castings that are to be subjected to
Sulfur, max Phospho-
higher mechanical stresses than those covered in Specification rus, max
A 27/A 27M.
80-40 [550-275] 0.06 0.05
1.2 Several grades of steel castings are covered, having the 80-50 [550-345] 0.06 0.05
chemical composition and mechanical properties prescribed in 90-60 [620-415] 0.06 0.05
105-85 [725-585] 0.06 0.05
Table 1 and Table 2. 115-95 [795-655] 0.06 0.05
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or SI units are to 130-115 [895-795] 0.06 0.05
be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units 135-125 [930-860] 0.06 0.05
150-135 [1035-930] 0.06 0.05
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not 160-145 [1105-1000] 0.06 0.05
exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used inde- 165-150 [1140-1035] 0.020 0.020
pendently of the other. Combining values from the two systems 165-150L [1140-1035L] 0.020 0.020
210-180 [1450-1240] 0.020 0.020
may result in nonconformance with the specification. 210-180L [1450-1240L] 0.020 0.020
260-210 [1795-1450] 0.020 0.020
2. Referenced Documents 260-210L [1795-1450L] 0.020 0.020
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 27/A 27M Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for
A 781M, this specification shall prevail.
General Application2
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 4. Ordering Information
of Steel Products3
4.1 The inquiry and order should include or indicate the
A 781/A 781M Specification for Castings, Steel and Alloy,
following:
Common Requirements for General Industrial Use2
4.1.1 A description of the casting by pattern number or
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
drawing (dimensional tolerances shall be included on the
Determine Conformance with Specifications4
casting drawing),
3. General Conditions for Delivery 4.1.2 Grade of steel,
4.1.3 Options in the specification, and
3.1 Material furnished to this specification shall conform to
4.1.4 The supplementary requirements desired, including
the requirements of Specification A 781/A 781M, including
the standards of acceptance.
any supplementary requirements that are indicated in the
purchase order. Failure to comply with the general require- 5. Heat Treatment
ments of Specification A 781/A 781M constitutes nonconfor-
5.1 All castings shall be heat treated either by full annealing,
mance with this specification. In case of conflict between the
normalizing, normalizing and tempering, or quenching and
requirements of this specification and Specification A 781/
tempering. Unless otherwise specified in the inquiry, contract,
or order, the castings may be heat treated by any of these heat
1
treatments or combination of these heat treatments at the option
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee of the manufacturer.
A01.18 on Castings. 5.2 Heat treatment shall be performed after the castings
Current edition approved Mar. 10, 2001. Published May 2001. Originally have been allowed to cool below the transformation range.
published as A 148 – 55. Last previous edition A 148/A 148M – 93b (1998).
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02. 6. Temperature Control
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. 6.1 Furnace temperatures for heat-treating shall be regulated

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

1
 A 148/A 148M
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements

Grade Tensile strength min, Yield point min, Elongation in 2

ksi [MPa] ksi [MPa] in. or 50 mm, Reduction of Area, min, %
min, %A
80-40 [550-275] 80 [550] 40 [275] 18 30
80-50 [550-345] 80 [550] 50 [345] 22 35
90-60 [620-415] 90 [620] 60 [415] 20 40
105-85 [725-585] 105 [725] 85 [585] 17 35
115-95 [795-655] 115 [795] 95 [655] 14 30
130-115 [895-795] 130 [895] 115 [795] 11 25
135-125 [930-860] 135 [930] 125 [860] 9 22
150-135 [1035-930] 150 [1035] 135 [930] 7 18
160-145 [1105-1000] 160 [1105] 145 [1000] 6 12
165-150 [1140-1035] 165 [1140] 150 [1035] 5 20
165-150L [1140-1035L]B 165 [1140] 150 [1035] 5 20
210-180 [1450-1240] 210 [1450] 180 [1240] 4 15
210-180L [1450-1240L]B 210 [1450] 180 [1240] 4 15
260-210 [1795-1450] 260 [1795] 210 [1450] 3 6
260-210L [1795-1450L]B 260 [1795] 210 [1450] 3 6
A
When ICI test bars are used in tensile testing as provided for in this specification, the gage length to reduced section diameter ratio shall be 4 to 1.
B
These grades must be charpy impact tested as prescribed in Section 9, and with minimum values as shown in Table 3.

by the use of pyrometers. specimens at −40° 6 2°F [−40° 6 1°C]. The energy value of
the three specimens shall not be less than shown in Table 3.
7. Chemical Composition 9.3 Test coupons and specimens shall conform to the
7.1 The steel shall conform to sulfur and phosphorus re- requirements specified in Section11.
quirements as prescribed in Table 1. 9.4 Impact test specimens shall be machined to the form and
7.2 The content of carbon, manganese, silicon, and alloying dimensions shown in Test Methods and Definitions A 370,
elements may, by agreement, be prescribed by the purchaser. If Type A, Charpy V-notch specimen, Fig. 11, and tested in
not specified, the content may be selected by the manufacturer accordance with those test methods.
to obtain the required mechanical properties.
7.3 When the analysis of carbon, manganese, silicon, or any 10. Retests
intentionally added alloying element is specifically requested 10.1 If the results of the tensile or charpy tests do not
in the contract or order, it shall be made by the manufacturer conform to the requirements specified, heat-treated castings
and reported to the purchaser. The results of these analyses may, at the manufacturer’s option, be reheat treated. Testing
shall not be used as a basis for rejection except by prior after reheat treatment shall consist of the full number of
agreement. specimens complying with the specification or order.

8. Tensile Requirements 11. Test Coupons and Specimens

8.1 One tension test shall be made from each heat and shall 11.1 Test bars shall be poured from the same heat as the
conform to the tensile requirements specified in Table 2. castings represented. Test coupons may be cast integrally with
8.2 The test coupons and specimens shall conform to the castings or as separate blocks similar to those shown in Fig.
requirements specified in Section 11. 1 of Specification A 781/A 781M.
8.3 Tension test coupons shall be machined to the form and 11.1.1 In the case of quenched and tempered castings where
dimension shown in Fig. 5 of Test Methods and Definitions the ruling section of the casting exceeds three inches, supple-
A 370 and tested in accordance with those test methods. mentary requirement S 15 of Specification A 781/A 781M shall
8.4 To determine conformance with the tension test require- apply.
ments, an observed value or calculated value shall be rounded 11.2 The bar from which the test piece is taken shall be heat
off in accordance with Practice E 29 to the nearest 500 psi [5 treated in production furnaces with the castings or to the same
MPa] for yield point and tensile strength and to the nearest 1 % procedure as the castings it represents.
for elongation and reduction of area.
TABLE 3 Impact Requirements
9. Charpy Impact Requirements
9.1 This section is applicable only to grades 165-150L Grade 165-150L 210-180L 260-210L
[1140- [1450- [1795-
[1140-1035L], 210-180L [1450-1240L], and 260-210L [1795- 1035L] 1240L] 1450L]
1450L]. Impact Requirements 20 [27] 15 [20] 6 [8]
Charpy V-notch
NOTE 1—Other grades may be ordered to charpy impact test require- Energy value, ft·lbf [J], min value for
ments in accordance with Supplementary Requirement S9 of Specification two specimens and minimum aver-
A 781/A 781M. age of three specimens
Energy value, ft·lbf [J], min for single 16 [22] 12 [16] 4 [5]
9.2 The notched bar impact properties of each heat shall be specimen
determined by testing one set of three Charpy V-notch impact

2
 A 148/A 148M
11.2.1 When the bar from which the test piece is taken is not When castings are produced with Supplementary Requirement
heat treated as part of the same heat treatment load as the S2 specified, weld repairs in which the depth of the cavity
casting(s) it qualifies, the austenitizing (or solution, if appli- prepared for repair welding exceeds 20 % of the wall thickness
cable) temperatures for the bar shall be within 25°F of those for or 1 in. [25 mm], whichever is smaller, or in which the cavity
the casting(s). The tempering temperature for the bar shall be prepared for welding is greater than approximately 10 in.2[65
no higher than 25°F above that of the casting(s) and no higher cm2], shall be radiographed to the same standards that are used
than permitted by the heat treatment procedure for the material. to inspect the castings.
The cycle time at each temperature shall not exceed that for the 12.2 Welds exceeding 20 % of the wall thickness or 1 in. [25
casting(s). mm], whichever is smaller, or exceeding approximately 10
11.3 Test specimens may be cut from heat-treated castings, in.2[65 cm2] in area, shall be given a suitable stress relief or
at the producer’s option, instead of from test bars. heat treatment.
11.4 If any specimen shows defective machining, or exhib-
its flaws, it may be discarded and another substituted from the 13. Rehearing
same heat. 13.1 Tested samples representing rejected material shall be
held for two weeks from the date of the test report. In case of
12. Repair by Welding dissatisfaction with the results of the tests, the manufacturer
12.1 Weld repairs shall be inspected to the same quality may make claim for a rehearing within that time.
standards that are used to inspect the castings. When castings
are produced with Supplementary Requirement S1 specified, 14. Keywords
weld repairs shall be inspected by magnetic particle examina- 14.1 alloy steel; carbon steel; castings; high strength steel;
tion to the same standards that are used to inspect the castings. martensitic stainless steel; steel castings; structural castings

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the purchase order. A
list of standardized supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser is included in
Specification A 781/A 781M. Those which are ordinarily considered suitable for use with this
specification are given below together with additional supplementary requirements that are applicable
only to this specification. Other supplementary requirements enumerated in Specification A 781/
A 781M may be used with this specification upon agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser.

S1. Magnetic Particle Examination. be prepared as Type A and tested in accordance with Test
Methods and Definitions A 370.
S2. Radiographic Examination.
S9.2 Absorbed Energy—Average energy value of three
S6. Certification. specimens shall be not less than specified, with not more than
one value permitted to fall below the minimum specified and
S8. Marking. no value permitted below the minimum specified for a single
S9. Charpy Impact Test specimen.
S9.1 Charpy impact test properties shall be determined on S9.3 Lateral Expansion—Lateral expansion value shall be
each heat from a set of three Charpy V-notch specimens made agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.
from a test coupon in accordance with Test Methods and S9.4 Percent Shear Area—Percent shear area shall be
Definitions A 370 and tested at a test temperature agreed upon agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser.
between the manufacturer and purchaser. The acceptance
requirements shall be either energy absorbed, lateral expan- S15. Alternate Tension Test Coupons and Specimen
sion, or percent shear area, or all three, and shall be that agreed Locations for Castings (in lieu of Test Bars Poured
upon by the manufacturer and purchaser. Test specimens shall from Special Blocks).

The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your
views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

3
 A 148/A 148M

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at
610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org).