Designation: A536 − 84 (Reapproved 2014)

Standard Specification for

Ductile Iron Castings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A536; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3.1.1 ASTM designation,

1.1 This specification covers castings made of ductile iron, 3.1.2 Grade of ductile iron required (see Table 1, and
also known as spheroidal or nodular iron, that is described as Sections 4 and 9),
cast iron with the graphite substantially spheroidal in shape and 3.1.3 Special properties, if required (see Section 7),
essentially free of other forms of graphite, as defined in 3.1.4 If a different number of samples are required (see
Terminology A644. Section 10),
3.1.5 Certification, if required (see Section 14), and
1.2 No precise quantitative relationship can be stated be- 3.1.6 Special preparation for delivery, if required (see Sec-
tween the properties of the iron in various locations of the same tion 15).
casting or between the properties of castings and those of a test
specimen cast from the same iron (see Appendix X1). 4. Tensile Requirements
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 4.1 The iron represented by the test specimens shall con-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical form to the requirements as to tensile properties presented in
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only Tables 1 and 2. The irons listed in Table 1 cover those in
and are not considered standard. general use, while those listed in Table 2 are used for special
applications (such as pipes, fittings, etc.).
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 The yield strength shall be determined at 0.2 % offset by
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 the offset method (see Test Methods E8). Other methods may
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing be used by mutual consent of the manufacturer and purchaser.
of Steel Products
A644 Terminology Relating to Iron Castings 5. Heat Treatment
A732/A732M Specification for Castings, Investment, Car-
5.1 The 60-40-18 grade will normally require a full ferritiz-
bon and Low Alloy Steel for General Application, and
ing anneal. The 120-90-02 and the 100-70-03 grades generally
Cobalt Alloy for High Strength at Elevated Temperatures
require a quench and temper or a normalize and temper, or an
E8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
isothermal heat treatment. The other two grades can be met
2.2 Military Standard:3 either as-cast or by heat treatment. Ductile iron, which is heat
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage treated by quenching to martensite and tempering, may have
substantially lower fatigue strength than as-cast material of the
3. Ordering Information
same hardness.
3.1 Orders for material to this specification shall include the
following information: 6. Test Coupons
6.1 The separately cast test coupons from which the tension
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee A04 on
test specimens are machined shall be cast to the size and shape
Iron Castings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A04.02 on Malleable shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. A modified keel block cast from the
and Ductile Iron Castings. mold shown in Fig. 3 may be substituted for the 1-in. Y-block
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published October 2014. Originally or the 1-in. keel block. The test coupons shall be cast in open
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as A536–84 (2009). DOI:
10.1520/A0536-84R14. molds made of suitable core sand having a minimum wall
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or thickness of 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) for the 1⁄2-in. (12.5 mm) and 1-in.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM (25-mm) sizes and 3 in. (75 mm) for the 3-in. size. The
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
coupons shall be left in the mold until they have cooled to a
the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, black color (approximately 900°F (482°C) or less). The size of
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098 coupon cast to represent the casting shall be at the option of the

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 A536 − 84 (2014)
TABLE 1 Tensile Requirements
Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade
60-40-18 65-45-12 80-55-06 100-70-03 120-90-02

Tensile strength, min, psi 60 000 65 000 80 000 100 000 120 000
Tensile strength, min, MPa 414 448 552 689 827
Yield strength, min, psi 40 000 45 000 55 000 70 000 90 000
Yield strength, min, MPa 276 310 379 483 621
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % 18 12 6.0 3.0 2.0

TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements for Special Applications

Grade Grade Grade
60-42-10 70-50-05 80-60-03

Tensile strength, min, psi 60 000 70 000 80 000

Tensile strength, min, MPa 415 485 555
Yield strength, min, psi 42 000 50 000 60 000
Yield strength, min, MPa 290 345 415
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, 10 5 3
min, %

“Y” Block Size

For Castings
For Castings For Castings
of Thickness
of Thickness of Thickness
Dimen- 1⁄2 in.
Less Than of 11⁄2 in.
sions 1⁄2 in.
(13 mm) to
(38 mm)
11⁄2 in.
(13 mm) and Over
(38 mm)
in. mm in. mm in. mm

A 1⁄ 2 13 1 25 3 75
B 1 5⁄ 8 40 2 1⁄ 8 54 5 125
C 2 50 3 75 4 100
D 4 100 6 150 8 200
E 7 175 7 175 7 175
approx approx approx approx approx approx

FIG. 2 Y-Blocks for Test Coupons

cooling rate equivalent to that obtained with the test molds

Metric Equivalents shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Figs. 4-6, or Appendix X2. The size
in. mm in. mm
1 ⁄2 12.7 11 ⁄2 38.1
(cooling rate) of the coupon chosen to represent the casting
1 25.4 2 1 ⁄2 63.5 should be decided by the purchaser. If test coupon size is not
specified, the manufacturer shall make the choice. When test
NOTE 1—The length of the keel block shall be 6 in. (152 mm). bars will be cut from castings, test bar location shall be agreed
FIG. 1 Keel Block for Test Coupons
on by the purchaser and manufacturer and indicated on the
casting drawing. The manufacturer shall maintain sufficient
controls and control documentation to assure the purchaser that
purchaser. In case no option is expressed, the manufacturer properties determined from test coupons or test bars are
shall make the choice. representative of castings shipped.
6.2 When investment castings are made to this specification, 6.4 The test coupons shall be poured from the same ladle or
the manufacturer may use test specimens cast to size incorpo- heat as the castings they represent.
rated in the mold with the castings, or separately cast to size
using the same type of mold and the same thermal conditions 6.5 Test coupons shall be subjected to the same thermal
that are used to produce the castings. These test specimens treatment as the castings they represent.
shall be made to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1 of Specifica- 7. Special Requirements
tion A732/A732M or Figs. 5 and 6 of Test Methods and
Definitions A370. 7.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order,
castings shall meet special requirements as to hardness, chemi-
6.3 The manufacturer may use separately cast test coupons cal composition, microstructure, pressure tightness, radio-
or test specimens cut from castings when castings made to this graphic soundness, magnetic particle inspection dimensions,
specification are nodularized or inoculated in the mold. Sepa- and surface finish.
rately cast test coupons shall have a chemistry that is repre-
sentative of castings produced from the ladle poured and a
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 A536 − 84 (2014)
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FIG. 3 Mold for Modified Keel Block

FIG. 4 Sectioning Procedure for Y-Blocks

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 A536 − 84 (2014)
10. Number of Tests and Retests
10.1 The number of representative coupons poured and
tested shall be established by the manufacturer, unless other-
wise agreed upon with the purchaser.
10.2 In the case of the Y-block, the section shall be cut from
the block as shown in Fig. 4. If any tension test specimen
shows obvious defects, another may be cut from the same test
block or from another test block representing the same metal.

Metric Equivalents 11. Tension Test Specimen

in. mm in. mm
0.005 0.13 0.50 12.7 11.1 The standard round tension test specimen with a 2-in.
0.10 2.5 2 50.8 or 50-mm gage length shown in Fig. 5 shall be used, except
1⁄ 8 3.2
3⁄ 8
when the ½-in. (12.7-mm) Y-block coupon is used. In this case,
9.5 21⁄4 57.2
either of the test specimens shown in Fig. 6 shall be satisfac-
NOTE 1—The gage length and fillets shall be as shown but the ends may tory.
be of any shape to fit the holders of the testing machine in such a way that
the load shall be axial. The reduced section shall have a gradual taper from 12. Responsibility for Inspection
the ends toward the center, with the ends 0.003 to 0.005 in. (0.08 to 0.13
mm) larger in diameter than the center. 12.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
FIG. 5 Standard Round Tension Test Specimen with 2-in. or order, the supplier is responsible for the performance of all
50-mm Gage Length inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as other-
wise specified in the contract or order, the supplier may use his
own or any other facilities suitable for the performance of the
inspection requirements specified herein, unless disapproved
by the purchaser. The purchaser reserves the right to perform
any of the inspections set forth in the specification where such
inspections are deemed necessary to assure supplies and
services conform to prescribed requirements.
13. Identification Marking
13.1 When size permits, each casting shall be identified by
the part or pattern number in raised numerals. Location of
marking shall be as shown on the applicable drawing.
14. Certification
Metric Equivalents 14.1 When agreed upon in writing by the purchaser and the
in. mm in. mm
0.005 0.13 1.0 25.4 seller, a certification shall be made the basis of acceptance of
0.007 0.18 11⁄4 31.8 the material. This shall consist of a copy of the manufacturer’s
0.252 6.40 1.4 35.6 test report or a statement by the seller, accompanied by a copy
0.357 9.07 13⁄4 44.4
of the test results, that the material has been sampled, tested,
NOTE 1—If desired, the length of the reduced section may be increased and inspected in accordance with provisions of this specifica-
to accommodate an extensometer. tion. Each certification so furnished shall be signed by an
FIG. 6 Examples of Small-Size Specimens Proportional to Stan- authorized agent of the seller or manufacturer.
dard 1⁄2-in. (12.7-mm) Round Specimen
15. Preparation for Delivery
8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance 15.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
8.1 The castings shall be smooth, free of injurious defects, order, cleaning, drying, preservation, and packaging of casting
and shall conform substantially to the dimensions of the shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s commercial prac-
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drawing or pattern supplied by the purchaser. tice. Packing and marking shall also be adequate to ensure
8.2 Castings shall not have chilled corners or center chill in acceptance and safe delivery by the carrier for the mode of
areas to be machined. transportation employed.
15.2 Government Procurement—When specified in the con-
9. Chemical Requirements tract or purchase order marking for shipment shall be in
9.1 It is the intent of this specification to subordinate accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-129.
chemical composition to mechanical properties; however, any
chemical requirements may be specified by agreement between 16. Keywords
the manufacturer and the purchaser. 16.1 casting; ductile iron; nodular iron; spheroidal graphite

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 A536 − 84 (2014)
APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CASTINGS

X1.1 The mechanical properties of iron castings are influ- various locations of the same casting or between the properties
enced by the cooling rate during and after solidification, by of a casting and those of a test specimen cast from the same
chemical composition, by heat treatment, by the design and iron. When such a relationship is important and must be known
nature of the mold, by the location and effectiveness of gates for a specific application, it may be more closely ascertained by
and risers, and by certain other factors. appropriate experimentation.
X1.2 The cooling rate in the mold and, therefore, the X1.3 When reliable information is unavailable on the rela-
properties developed in any particular section are influenced by tionship between properties in a casting and those in a
the presence of cores, chills and chaplets, changes in section
separately cast test specimen, and where experimentation

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thickness, and the existence of bosses, projections, and
would be unfeasible, the size of the test casting should be so
intersections, such as junctions of ribs and bosses. Because of
selected as to approximate the cooling rate of the main or
the interactions of these factors, no precise quantitative rela-
tionship can be stated between the properties of the iron in controlling section of the casting.

X2. Y-BLOCK SELECTION

X2.1 As a general guide for selection of the proper Y-block, TABLE X2.1 Equivalent Geometric Shapes Corresponding
the tabulation in Table X2.1, based on cooling rates, shows, for to Y-Blocks
various test coupons, the equivalent geometric shapes with Y-Block Size, Infinite Plate Round Diameter, in. Cube Edge, in. (mm)
in. (mm) Thickness, in. (mm) (mm)
various dimensions.
1⁄2 (12.7) 0.5 (12.7) 1.2 (30.5) 1.75 (44.4)
1 (25.4) 0.9 (22.9) 1.75 (44.4) 2.75 (69.8)
3 (76.2) 1.6 (40.6) 3.1 (78.7) 4.8 (121.9)

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 A536 − 84 (2014)
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