ASTM B159/B159M-17

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B159/B159M − 11 B159/B159M − 17
Standard Specification for
Phosphor Bronze Wire
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B159/B159M; 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*
1.1 This specification establishes the requirements for round, square round and flat (square and rectangular) phosphor bronze
wire of UNS Alloy Nos. C51000, C52100, and C52400 for general and spring applications.
1.1.1 Rectangular and square wire of the three alloys are generally available in sizes up to a maximum of 0.188 in. [5 mm]
[5 mm] thick and 1.250 in. [32 mm] wide.
1.1.2 Round wire from Copper Alloy UNS No. C51000 is generally available in sizes up to 0.500 in. [13 mm] in diameter.
1.2 Units—Values The values stated in either inch-pound units or in SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within
the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system
shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
specification.
1.3 Additional requirements for these products are established in Specification B250/B250M, see Section 3.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—It is to be understood that this specification is general. Since the product is used for many applications where the requirements of the
operations used are too particular to be specified by any of the ordinary mechanical tests, it is frequently advisable to submit samples or drawings to the
manufacturer and secure an adjustment of temper to suit the actual application for which the product is intended.
NOTE 2—Product in rod, bar and shape form is produced to Specification B139/B139M.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B139/B139M Specification for Phosphor Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes
B250/B250M Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Copper Alloy Wire
B601 Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys—Wrought and Cast
B846 Terminology for Copper and Copper Alloys
B950 Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Copper and Copper Alloys
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
E62 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper and Copper Alloys (Photometric Methods) (Withdrawn 2010)
E290 Test Methods for Bend Testing of Material for Ductility
E478 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B05.02 on Rod, Bar,
Wire, Shapes and Forgings.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011Oct. 1, 2017. Published November 2011December 2017. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20052011
as B159 – 05.B159/B159M – 11. DOI: 10.1520/B0159_B0159M-11.10.1520/B0159_B0159M-17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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B159/B159M − 17
3. General Requirements
3.1 The following sections of Specification B250/B250M are a part of this specification:
3.1.1 Terminology,Terminology;
3.1.2 Materials and Manufacture,Manufacture;
3.1.3 Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance,Appearance;
3.1.4 Sampling,Sampling;
3.1.5 Number of Tests and Retests,Retests;
3.1.6 Specimen Preparation,Preparation;
3.1.7 Test Methods,Methods;
3.1.8 Significance of Numerical Limits,Limits;
3.1.9 Inspection,Inspection;
3.1.10 Rejection and Rehearing,Rehearing;
3.1.11 Certification,Certification;
3.1.12 Mill Test Reports,Reports;
3.1.13 Packaging and Package Markings,Markings; and
3.1.14 Supplementary Requirements.
3.2 In addition, when a section with a title identical to one of those referenced in 3.1 appears in this specification, it contains
additional requirements which supplement those appearing in Specification B250/B250M.
4. Terminology
4.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.1.1 Cast,cast, n—The maximum diameter of coiled wire when one complete circumference rests completely on a flat surface
such as a table, workbench, or floor.
4.1.2 Camber Offset,camber offset, n—The axial component of curvature of wire in an unrestrained state.
4.1.2.1 Discussion—
The camber is measured as the offset in the ends of one turn of freely hanging wire.
NOTE—The camber is measured as the offset in the ends of one
turn of freely hanging wire.
4.2 For other definitions of terms related to copper and copper alloys, refer to Terminology B846.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Include the following information specified choices when placing orders for product under this specification.specification,
as applicable:
5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue (for example, B159/B159M – XX),
5.1.2 Copper Alloy UNS No. (for example, C51000),
5.1.3 Temper designation (Section 8),
5.1.4 Dimensions (diameter, distance between parallel surfaces, and so forth),
5.1.5 Type of edge (square corners, rounded corners, and so forth),
5.1.6 How furnished (coil spool, reel, specific lengths, and so forth), and
5.1.7 When product is purchased for agencies of the U.S. government (Section Intended application.11).
5.2 The following options are available under this specification and shall be specified in the contract or purchase order but may
not be included unless specified at the time of placing of the order, when required:
5.2.1 Heat identification or traceability details,details;
5.2.2 Certification,Certification;
5.2.3 Mill Test Reports,Reports;
5.2.4 Special packaging and package markings,markings;
5.2.5 Cast Tolerances for cast and camber offset requirements offset, if specified.specified;
5.2.6 If product is purchased for agencies of the U.S. Government (see Section 11);
5.2.7 Formability requirements other than bending (see 10.1.2); and
5.2.8 Requirements and method for determining cast and camber offset (12.1.8).
6. Materials and Manufacture
6.1 Materials:
6.1.1 The material of manufacturer shall be a castingcast billet of Copper Alloy UNS No. C51000, C52100, or C52400 of such
purity and soundness as to be suitable for processing into the products prescribed herein.
B159/B159M − 17
6.1.2 In the event When specified in the contract or purchase order that heat identification or traceability is required, the
purchaser shall specify the details desired.
6.2 Manufacture:
6.2.1 The product shall be manufactured by such hot-working, cold-working, and annealing processes as to produce a uniform
wrought structure in the finished product.product which will meet the temper properties specified.
7. Chemical Composition
7.1 The material shall conform to the chemical composition requirements of Table 1 for the Copper Alloy UNS No. specified
in the ordering information.
7.1.1 These composition limits do not preclude the presence of other elements. When required, limits may be established and
analysis required for unnamed elements by agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.
7.2 Copper listed as the “remainder” is the difference between the sum of results for all elements determined and 100 %.
7.3 When all elements listed in Table 1 are determined, the sum of results shall be 99.5 % min.
8. Tem
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