ASTM A3-87(1995)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: A 3 – 87 (Reapproved 1995)
Standard Specification for
Steel Joint Bars, Low, Medium, and High Carbon (Non-Heat-
Treated)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 3; 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 3.1.3 Grade—in accordance with 1.2 and Table 1 and Table
2,
1.1 This specification covers steel joint bars for connecting
3.1.4 Dimension—overall length,
steel rails in mine, industrial, and standard railroad track.
3.1.5 Punching—type (elliptical, oval, round, or combina-
1.2 Three grades of joint bars are defined for applications
tions), size, number, location, spacing, and elevation of
where non-heat treated bars are suitable:
punched holes, with dimensional drawing if necessary,
1.2.1 Grade 1, low-carbon, primarily for industrial and mine
3.1.6 Special Requirements—notching, shearing, bundling,
use.
etc., including details, and
1.2.2 Grade 2, medium-carbon, primarily for industrial and
3.1.7 Certification and Test Report Requirements—(See
mine use.
11.1 and 12.1).
1.2.3 Grade 3, high-carbon, for general use in standard
railroad track. They may be used in the production of insulated
4. Manufacture
track joints.
4.1 The steel shall be made by one or more of the following
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
processes: open-hearth, basic-oxygen, or electric-furnace.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
4.1.1 The steel may be cast by a continuous process, or in
information only.
ingots.
2. Referenced Documents 4.2 Grade 2, medium-carbon, joint bars may be punched,
slotted, and shaped in the case of special designs, either hot or
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cold. Joint bars that are punched, slotted, or shaped cold shall
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
be subsequently annealed.
of Steel Products
4.3 Grade 3, high-carbon, joint bars shall be uniformly
2.2 U.S Military Standards:
heated for punching, slotting, and shaping.
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
5. Chemical Requirements
ment and Storage
5.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to
2.3 U.S. Federal Standards:
chemical composition prescribed in Table 1.
Federal Standard No. 123 Marking for Shipments (Civil
3 5.2 Heat or Cast Analysis—An analysis of each heat or cast
Agencies)
shall be made by the manufacturer to determine the percent-
3. Ordering Information ages of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. The
analysis shall be made from a test sample taken preferably
3.1 Orders for joint bars under this specification shall
during the pouring of the heat or cast. The chemical composi-
include the following information as appropriate:
tion thus determined shall conform to the requirement in Table
3.1.1 Quantity—number of pairs of bars,
1. Manganese and sulfur determinations are for information
3.1.2 Type—design or type bar along with section designa-
only.
tion and weight of rails being joined,
5.3 Product Analysis—When ladle tests are not available,
finished material representing the heat may be product tested.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel,
The product analysis allowance beyond the limits of the
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
specified ladle analysis shall be within the limits for product
A01.01 on Steel Rails and Accessories.
analyses specified in Table 2.
Current edition approved July 31, 1987. Published August 1987. Originally
published as A3 – 1901. Last previous edition A3 – 78.
5.3.1 An analysis may be made by the purchaser from a
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
sample taken from a finished joint bar representing each heat or
Available from Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Ave.,
cast. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform
Philadelphia PA 19120.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
A3
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
7.4 For girder rail applications only, any variation from a
straight line in a horizontal plane shall be such as will make the
Elements Composition, %
bars convex towards the web of the rail.
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3
8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
Carbon, min . 0.30 0.45
8.1 The joint bars shall be straight, subject to the variations
Phosphorus, max 0.05 0.05 0.04
prescribed in 7.3, 7.4, and Table 4.
8.2 The general appearance with respect to soundness and
TABLE 2 Product Analysis
surface finish shall be consistent with good commercial prac-
tice as determined by visual inspection.
Allowance Beyond Limits of Specified Chemical
Analysis 9. Inspection
Percent under Percent over
9.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
min limit max limit
all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy that the material is
Carbon 0.04 0.04
being produced and furnished in accordance with this specifi-
Phosphorus . . . 0.008
cation. Mill inspection b
...