ASTM B969-09

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: B969 – 09
Standard Specification for
Aluminum-Alloy Castings Produced by the Squeeze
Casting, Thixocast and Rheocast Semi-Solid Casting
Processes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B969; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope B179 Specification for Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and
Molten Forms for Castings from All Casting Processes
1.1 This specification covers aluminum-alloy castings, pro-
B275 Practice for Codification of Certain Nonferrous Met-
duced by the thixocast, rheocast, semi-solid and squeeze
als and Alloys, Cast and Wrought
casting processes, shown in Table 1.
B557 Test Methods for Tension Testing Wrought and Cast
1.2 This specification is not intended for castings used in
Aluminum- and Magnesium-Alloy Products
aerospace applications.
B557M TestMethodsforTensionTestingWroughtandCast
1.3 Alloy and temper designations are in accordance with
Aluminum- and Magnesium-Alloy Products (Metric)
ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M). The equivalent unified numbering
B660 Practices for Packaging/Packing of Aluminum and
system alloy designations are in accordance with Practice
Magnesium Products
E527.
B881 TerminologyRelatingtoAluminum-andMagnesium-
1.4 Unless the order specifies the “M” specification desig-
Alloy Products
nation, the material shall be furnished to the inch-pound units.
B917/B917M Practice for Heat Treatment of Aluminum-
1.5 For acceptance criteria for inclusion of new aluminum
Alloy Castings from All Processes
and aluminum alloys and their properties in this specification,
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
see Annex A1 and Annex A2.
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic
1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Materials
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
E23 Test Methods for Notched Bar Impact Testing of
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
Metallic Materials
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Determine Conformance with Specifications
with the standard.
E34 Test Methods for ChemicalAnalysis ofAluminum and
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Aluminum-Base Alloys
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E155 Reference Radiographs for Inspection of Aluminum
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
and Magnesium Castings
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E165 PracticeforLiquidPenetrantExaminationforGeneral
2. Referenced Documents
Industry
E505 Reference Radiographs for Inspection of Aluminum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and Magnesium Die Castings
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light
Unified Numbering System (UNS)
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.01 on
E607 Test Method for Atomic Emission Spectrometric
Aluminum Alloy Ingots and Castings.
Analysis Aluminum Alloys by the Point to Plane Tech-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. DOI:
10.1520/B0969-09.
nique Nitrogen Atmosphere
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
E716 Practices for Sampling Aluminum and Aluminum
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Alloys for Spectrochemical Analysis
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
B969 – 09
A,B,C
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition Limits
Alloy Composition,%
D E
ANSI UNS Silicon Iron Copper Manganese Magnesium Chromium Nickel Zinc Titanium Tin Other Elements Aluminum
F
Each Total
319.0 A03190 5.5–6.5 1.0 3.0–4.0 0.50 0.10 . 0.35 1.0 0.25 . . 0.50 Remainder
G G
355.0 A03550 4.5–5.5 0.6 1.0–1.5 0.50 0.40–0.6 0.25 . 0.35 0.25 . . 0.05 0.15 Remainder
G G
356.0 A03560 6.5–7.5 0.6 0.25 0.35 0.20–0.45 0.35 0.25 0.05 0.15 Remainder
A356.0 A13560 6.5–7.5 0.20 0.20 0.10 0.25–0.45 0.10 0.20 0.05 0.15 Remainder
357.0 A03570 6.5–7.5 0.15 0.05 0.03 0.45–0.6 . . 0.05 0.20 . . 0.05 0.15 Remainder
366.0 6.5–7.5 0.15 0.05 0.03 0.5–1.2 0.05 0.20 0.05 0.15 Remainder
380.0 A03800 7.5–9.5 2.0 3.0–4.0 0.50 0.10 . 0.50 3.0 . 0.35 . . 0.50 Remainder
H
A390.0 A13900 16.0–18.0 0.50 4.0–5.0 0.10 0.45–0.65 . . 0.10 0.20 . . 0.10 0.20 Remainder
A
When single units are shown, these indicate the maximum amounts permitted.
B
Analysis shall be made for the elements for which limits are shown in this table.
C
The following applies to all specified limits in this table: For purposes of determining conformance to these limits, an observed value or a calculated value obtained from analysis shall be rounded to the nearest unit
in the last right-hand place of figures used in expressing the specified limit in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29.
D
ASTM alloy designations are defined in ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M)
E
Other includes listed elements for which no specific limit is shown as well as unlisted metallic elements. The producer may analyze samples for trace elements not specified in the specification. However, such analysis
is not required and may not cover all metallic Other Elements. Should any analysis by the producer or the purchaser establish that an Other Elements exceeds the limit of Each or that the aggregate of several Other
Elements exceeds the limit of Total, the material shall be considered nonconforming.
F
Other Elements—Total shall be the sum of unspecified metallic elements 0.010 % or more, rounded to the second decimal before determining the sum.
G
If the iron content exceeds 0.45 %, manganese content shall not be less than one half of the iron.
H
The Aluminum Association ruling on the number of decimal places to which Mg percent is expressed is exempted for some long standing alloys. See A2.2.6.

B969 – 09
E1251 Test Method for Analysis of Aluminum and Alumi- 2.8 Naval Standard:
num Alloys by Atomic Emission Spectrometry NAVSEA Technical Publication S9074-AR-GIB-010/278
3 6
2.2 ANSI Standard: 2.9 Other Standards:
H35.1 / H35.1 (M) - 2006 American National Standard EN 14242 Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys – Chemical
Alloy and Temper Designation Systems for Aluminum Analysis – Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission
2.3 NADCA Standards: Spectral Analysis
#403 Product Specification Standards for Die Castings Pro-
3. Terminology
duced by the Semi-Solid and Squeeze Casting Processes
2.4 NADCA Product Specification Standards for Die Cast-
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology B881 for definitions
ings:
of product terms used in this specification.
Engineering and Design: Coordinate Dimensioning
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to this Standard:
S-4A-1-09 Linear Dimensions: Standard Tolerances
3.2.1 Squeeze Casting—a process whereby a metal product
S-4A-2-09 Parting Line: Standard Tolerances
isproducedbyinjectingmoltenmetalatarelativelyslowspeed
S-4A-3-09 Moving Die Components (MDC): Standard Tol-
through a large ingate into a metal die and held under high
erances
pressure until solidification is complete.
S-4A-4-09 Draft Requirements: Standard Tolerances
3.2.2 Slurry—a thick suspension of solids in a liquid.
S-4A-5-09 Flatness Requirements: Standard Tolerances
3.2.3 Semi-Solid Slurry—a mixture of solid spherical or
S-4A-6-09 Cored Holes for Cut Threads: Standard Toler-
globular primary phase dispersed in liquid, and which exhibits
ances
thixotropic behavior.
S-4A-8-09 Cored Holes for Pipe Threads: Standard Toler-
3.2.4 Thixotropic—apropertyofsomematerialstoflowlike
ances
a high viscosity liquid when a force is applied and maintain
P-4A-1-09 Linear Dimensions: Precision Tolerances
form when the force is removed.
P-4A-2-09 Parting Line: Precision Tolerances
3.2.5 Semi-Solid Casting (SSM)—a casting process wherein
P-4A-3-09 Moving Die Components (MDC): PrecisionTol-
a partially solidified metal slurry is injected into a die cavity to
erances
form cast components,
P-4A-4-09 Draft Requirements: Precision Tolerances
3.2.6 Thixocasting—semi-solid casting process wherein the
P-4A-5-09 Flatness Requirements: Precision Tolerances
feed-stock is a pre-cast slug of aluminum alloy capable of
P-4A-6-09 Cored Holes for Cut Threads: Precision Toler-
acting in a thixotropic manner, that has been heated to its
ances
thixotropic state and injected into a metal die cavity and
P-4A-7-09 Cored Holes for Formed Threads: Precision
allowed to solidify.
Tolerances
3.2.7 Rheocasting—semi-solid casting process in which the
S/P-4-9-09 Machining Stock Allowances (Standard and
thixotropic aluminum alloy feed-stock is produced at the die
Precision) Engineering and Design: Additional Specifica-
cast machine and injected whilst in its thixotropic state into a
tion Guidelines
metal die cavity without an intermediate solidification stage.
G-6-1-09 Pressure Tightness in Die Cast Parts
3.2.8 Die Casting—a casting produced by introducing mol-
G-6-2-09 Fillets,RibsandCornersinDieCastParts(1of2)
ten metal under substantial pressure into a metal die and
G-6-3-09 Fillets,RibsandCornersinDieCastParts(2of2)
characterized by a high degree of fidelity to the die cavity.
G-6-4-09 Ejector Pins, Pin Marks and Pin Flash
G-6-5-09 Casting Flash removal
4. Ordering Information
G-6-6-09 Surface Finish, As Cast
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
G-6-7-09 Die Cast Lettering and Ornamentation
the following information:
2.5 Federal Standard:
4.1.1 This specification designation (which includes the
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
number, the year, and the revision letter, if applicable),
2.6 Military Standard:
NOTE 1—For inch-pound application, specify Specification B969 and
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage (Military
for metric application specify Specification B969M. Do not mix units.
Agencies)
4.1.2 Alloy (Section 7 and Table 1).
MIL-STD-276
4.1.3 Temper (Section 11, Table X2.1 [Table X2.2], Table
2.7 SAE Standard:
X2.3 [Table X2.4], and Table X2.5 [Table X2.6]),
AMS-STD-184
4.1.4 Applicable drawing or part number,
AMS 2771
4.1.4.1 Drawing of casting, when required, giving all nec-
essary dimensions and showing latest revisions and allowances
for linear dimensions (12.2), parting lines (12.3), moving die
Available from Aluminum Association, Inc., 1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600,
components (12.4), draft (12.5), flatness (12.6), cored hole
Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aluminum.org.
Available from North American die Casting Association, (NADCA,) 241 threads (12.7-12.9), and machining stock (12.10). Location of
Holbrook Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090. (www.diecasting.org)
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
dodssp.daps.dla.mil. Available from European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 36 rue de
Stassart, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium, http://www.cenorm.be.
B969 – 09
ejector pin marks or parting lines shall be at the option of the by the purchaser. The purchaser shall have the right to perform
producer, unless specifically designated on the drawing, any of the inspections and tests set forth in this specification.
4.1.5 The quantity in either pieces or pounds [kilograms], Quality assurance standards shall be agreed upon between the
4.2 Additional tests, options and special inspection require- producer or supplier and purchaser at the time a contract or
ments as provided below should be justified only on the basis order is placed.
of need. These shall be specified in the contract or purchase 6.2 Lot Definition—An inspection lot shall be defined as
order,asadditionalproceduresandextendeddeliverytimemay
follows:
be involved, 6.2.1 An inspection lot shall consist of the production from
4.3 Additionally, orders for material to this specification
each die or compound die on each machine for each 24 h
shall include the following information when required by the during the first week (or five calendar days) of continuous
purchaser.
normal operation and the production for each 48 h thereafter of
4.3.1 Whether squeeze casting process or the semi-solid continuous normal operation. (Normal operations are those
thixocast or rheocast process is to be used to produce the parts,
without occurrences such as, but not limited to, equipment
4.3.2 Whether chemical analysis and tensile property re- breakdowns, unscheduled work stoppages, out of control
portsarerequired(Sections7.5and22,Table1,andTableX2.1
situations, etc.) Castings inspected by this method shall be so
[Table X2.2], Table X2.3 [Table X2.4], and Table X2.5 [Table
markedorhandledduringthefinishingoperationsasnottolose
X2.6]),
their identity.
4.3.3 Whether foundry control is required (Section 9),
6.2.2 Normal operation shall be considered production in
4.3.4 Whether mechanical property tests are required (Sec-
the absence of any significant change in the machine, alloy
tions 10, 11, 14, Table X2.1 [Table X2.2], Table X2.3 [Table
composition, die or continuity of operation. Should significant
X2.4], and Table X2.5 [Table X2.6])
changesoccurtheyshallbeconsideredasthestartofanewlot.
4.3.5 Whether yield strength tests are required (Footnote D
6.2.3 Each casting of a randomly selected sample shall be
inTableX2.1[TableX2.2],TableX2.3[TableX2.4],andTable
examined to determine conformance to the requirements with
X2.5 [Table X2.6]),
respect to general quality, dimensions, and identification mark-
4.3.6 Whether heat treatment is to be performed in accor-
ing. The producer or supplier may use a system of statistical
dance with AMS 2771 or other practices (Section 16),
quality control for such examinations.
4.3.7 Whether repairs are permissible (Section 18),
6.3 All testing shall be performed in accordance with
4.3.8 Whetherinspectionisrequiredattheproducer’sworks
applicable ASTM test methods.
(Section 19),
4.3.9 Whether surface requirements will be checked visu-
7. Chemical Composition
ally or by observational standards where such standards are
7.1 The product shall conform to the chemical composition
established (20.1),
limi
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