Inclusion rating in steel castings
Inclusion rating in steel castings
(OP)
Hello all,
I was wondering about ASTM standard that applies to rating and classifying inclusions in steel castings.
ASTM E45 does that apply only to wrought steels or cast steels as well?
Thanks
I was wondering about ASTM standard that applies to rating and classifying inclusions in steel castings.
ASTM E45 does that apply only to wrought steels or cast steels as well?
Thanks





RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
It makes no comment about product form.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover a number of recognized procedures for determining the nonmetallic inclusion content of wrought steel. Macroscopic methods include macroetch, fracture, step-down, and magnetic particle tests. Microscopic methods include five generally accepted systems of examination. In these microscopic methods, inclusions are assigned to a category based on similarities in morphology, and not necessarily on their chemical identity. Metallographic techniques that allow simple differentiation between morphologically similar inclusions are briefly discussed. While the methods are primarily intended for rating inclusions, constituents such as carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, borides, and intermetallic phases may be rated using some of the microscopic methods. In some cases, alloys other than steels may be rated using one or more of these methods; the methods will be described in terms of their use on steels.
1.2 This practice covers procedures to perform JK-type inclusion ratings using automatic image analysis in accordance with microscopic methods A and D.
1.3 Depending on the type of steel and the properties required, either a macroscopic or a microscopic method for determining the inclusion content, or combinations of the two methods, may be found most satisfactory.
1.4 These test methods deal only with recommended test methods and nothing in them should be construed as defining or establishing limits of acceptability for any grade of steel.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
I have only ever seen it done optical.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
"This test method covers procedures to obtain particle size distribution, chemical classification, and Test Methods E45 ratings of inclusions in steels using an automated scanning electron microscope (SEM) with X-ray analysis and automatic image analysis capabilities."
So there is a SEM method but you will have to check with your customer to see if its allowed.
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
Here's a quote from an abstract of ASTM E45-13: "4.7 These test methods are intended for use on wrought metallic structures. While a minimum level of deformation is not specified, the test methods are not suitable for use on cast structures or on lightly worked structures."
I took a quick look at an ASTM spec covering steel investment castings for pressure vessel applications (sorry, but I don't recall the exact spec number), and the section covering material cleanliness (for things like inclusions) simply stated these requirements should be based on an agreement between the vendor and the customer.
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
Thanks for the info.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
As Ed said I would not go that deep looking for the scope! Thanks!
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
You can join the ASTM for $75, and I believe this would allow you to contact a member of the appropriate technical committee with your question. Probably much cheaper and faster than purchasing the specs and going thru them yourself.
Based on what I have seen with specs covering quality in most forms of cast product there is no requirement for microscopic examination. The quality specs for steel castings typically require tensile testing, chemical analysis, radiographic/penetrant/mag particle inspection, and sometimes decarb testing. However, this does not mean microscopic inspection for subsurface inclusions cannot be added as a supplementary QA requirement in addition to what is listed in the ASTM spec. Just be careful to clearly define where the test specimen should be taken from and what the acceptance criteria is. The metallurgical quality from one area to another in a single casting can vary quite a bit depending on the foundry process used. Here is a mil handbook that covers classification and soundness requirements for radiographic inspection of steel castings. The section describing different acceptance criteria for various classes/grades based on the intended application is definitely worth a read.
Hope that helps and good luck to you.
Terry
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
RE: Inclusion rating in steel castings
You asked specifically about an optical process, and ASTM E1245-03 "Standard Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-Phase Constituent Content of Metals by Automatic Image Analysis" might be worth looking at. However, there is a disclaimer stating the technique is not suitable for rating exogenous type inclusions, and these are common in most casting processes. The likely reason is that exogenous inclusion content/location in a production lot of castings can vary significantly as a result of the foundry process. So checking a specimen from a given location of a single casting per lot may not provide a statistically accurate result for this requirement.
Here is a masters thesis I found that might also be of interest to you.