ASTM A805/A805M-09(2021)

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.
Designation:A805/A805M −09 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Steel, Flat Wire, Carbon, Cold-Rolled
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA805/A805M; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers carbon steel flat wire in coils
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
or cut lengths. Flat wire is classified as a cold-rolled section,
of Steel Products
rectangular in shape, 0.500 in. [12.7 mm] or less in width and
A510 Specification for General Requirements forWire Rods
under 0.250 in. [6.35 mm] in thickness.
and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel (Metric) A0510_
1.2 Low-carbon steel flat wire is produced from steel
A0510M
compositions with a maximum carbon content of 0.25 % by
A510M Specification for General Requirements for Wire
cast or heat analysis.
Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel (Metric)
(Withdrawn 2011)
1.3 Carbon spring steel flat wire is produced to a carbon
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of
range in which the specified or required maximum is over
Steel Products
0.25 % by cast or heat analysis.
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of
1.3.1 Two types of carbon spring steel flat wire are pro-
Steel
duced:
E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
1.3.1.1 Untempered cold-rolled carbon spring steel flat
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship
wire, produced to several desirable combinations of properties
Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
and
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Sclero-
1.3.1.2 Hardened and tempered carbon spring steel wire.
scope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
2.2 Military Standard:
1.4 Definite application flat wire is a product developed for
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
a specific application and may be specified only by size and
2.3 Federal Standard:
descriptive name.
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
2.4 SAE Standard:
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Recommended Practice SAE J 419 Methods of Measuring
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
Decarburization
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
used independently of the other, and values from the two
3. Terminology
systems shall not be combined.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.1 annealing—the process of heating to and holding at a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
suitable temperature and then cooling at a suitable rate, for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
such purposes as reducing hardness, facilitating cold working,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
1 3
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee A01 on Steel, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Stainless Steel and Related Alloysand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee www.astm.org.
A01.19 on Steel Sheet and Strip. Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as A805/ Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr.,Warrendale,
A805M – 09 (2016). DOI: 10.1520/A0805_A0805M-09R21. PA 15096, http://www.sae.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A805/A805M−09 (2021)
producing a desired microstructure, or obtaining desired 3.1.10 skin-rolled—a term denoting a relatively light cold-
mechanical, physical, or other properties. rolling operation following annealing; it serves to reduce the
tendency of the steel to flute or stretcher strain during fabrica-
3.1.2 batch annealing—annealing that is generally per-
tion; it is also used to impart surface finish, or affect hardness
formed in large cylindrical bell type or large rectangular box or
or other mechanical properties.
car-type furnaces; the product is protected from scaling and
decarburization by the use of a controlled atmosphere that
3.1.11 temper—a designation by number to indicate the
envelops the charge in an inner chamber sealed to prevent the hardness as a minimum, as a maximum, or as a range; the
influx of air or products of combustion; the coils or bundles are
tempers are obtained by the selection and control of chemical
heated to a temperature in the vicinity of the lower critical composition, by amounts of cold reduction, and by thermal
temperature for the grade of steel, and held at that temperature
treatment.
for a definite length of time; after which the steel is allowed to
4. Ordering Information
cool slowly to room temperature; the time of holding at the
annealingtemperaturevarieswiththegradeofthesteelandthe 4.1 Orders for material to this specification shall include the
desired degree of softness.
following information, as necessary, to describe adequately the
desired product:
3.1.3 continuous or strand annealing—annealing that con-
4.1.1 Quantity,
sists of passing a number of individual strands of flat wire
4.1.2 Name of material (flat wire identified by type),
continuously through either a muffle furnace or a bath of
4.1.3 Analysis or grade, if required (Section 6),
molten lead or salt, thus heating the flat wire to the desired
4.1.4 Temper of low carbon or type of spring steel (Sections
temperature for a definite time; the hardness obtained by this
9, 10, and 11),
type of annealing, as measured by Rockwell hardness number,
4.1.5 Edge (Section 7),
is normally somewhat higher than is secured by batch-type
4.1.6 Finish or coating (Sections 14 and 12),
annealing; other characteristics peculiar to strand-annealed
4.1.7 Dimensions,
steel require this type of annealing for some flat wire products.
4.1.8 Coil type and size requirements (Section 17),
3.1.4 salt annealing—annealing that is accomplished by
4.1.9 Packaging (17.1),
immersing bundles or coils of flat wire in a molten salt bath at
4.1.10 Condition (oiled or not oiled) (14.4),
a desired temperature for a definite time; following the
4.1.11 ASTM designation and date of issue,
annealing, the coils are permitted to cool slowly, after which
4.1.12 Copper-bearing steel, if required,
they are immersed in hot water to remove any adhering salts.
4.1.13 Application (part identification or description),
3.1.5 spheroidize annealing—an operation consisting of
4.1.14 Case or heat analysis (request, if desired), and
prolonged heating and prolonged cooling cycles to produce a
4.1.15 Exceptions to the specification, if required.
globular or spheroidal condition of the carbide for maximum
NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 18 000 lb
softness.
[8000 kg] Low-Carbon Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Wire, Temper 4,
3.1.6 cold reduction—the process of reducing the thickness
Edge 4, Finish 2, 0.125 by 0.450-in. [3.18 by 11.4 mm] vibrated coils,
of the strip at room temperature. The amount of reduction is
2000 lb [900 kg] max, coil weight, 16 to 20 in. [410 to 510 mm] ID, 36 in.
[915 mm] max OD, Face dimension 6 to 10 in. [150 to 250 mm], ASTM
greater than that used in skin-rolling.
A805/A805M – 09, for Stove Frames.
3.1.7 finish—the degree of smoothness or lustre of the flat
wire. The production of specific finishes requires special 5. Materials and Manufacture
preparation and control of the roll surfaces employed.
5.1 Low-carbon steel flat wire is normally produced from
3.1.8 hardening and tempering—a heat treatment for steel
rimmed, capped, or semi-killed steel. When required, killed
over 0.25 % carbon by cast or heat analysis involving continu-
steel may be specified, with silicon or aluminum as the
ous strand heating at finish size to an appropriate temperature
deoxidizer.
above the critical temperature range, followed by quenching in
5.2 Untempered-carbon spring steel flat wire is commonly
oil and finally passing the strands through a tempering bath;
produced from killed steel, although semi-killed steel is some-
this heat treatment is used in the production of such commodi-
times used.
ties as oil-tempered spring wire for use in certain types of
5.3 Hardened and tempered carbon spring steel flat wire
mechanical springs that are not subjected to a final heat
customarily has a carbon content over 0.60 %.
treatment after forming; oil-tempered wire is intended primar-
ily for the manufacture of products that are required to
5.4 Flat wire is generally produced from hot-rolled rods or
withstand high stresses; the mechanical properties and resil-
round wire, by one or more cold-rolling operations, primarily
iency of oil-tempered wire provide resistance to permanent set
forthepurposeofobtainingthesizeandsectiondesiredandfor
under repeated and continuous stress applications.
improving surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and varying
3.1.9 patenting—a thermal treatment usually confined to mechanical properties. Flat wire can also be produced from
steel over 0.25 % carbon; in this process individual strands of slitting hot- or cold-rolled flat steel to the desired width. The
rods or wire are heated well above the upper critical tempera- hot-rolledslitflatsteelissubsequentlycoldreduced.Thewidth
ture followed by comparatively rapid cooling in air, molten to thickness ratio and the specified type of edge generally
salt, or molten lead; this treatment is generally employed to determine the process that is necessary to produce a specific
prepare the material for subsequent processing. flat-wire item.
A805/A805M−09 (2021)
5.5 The production of good surface quality flat wire is ing the desired chemical composition are specified in one of
dependent upon scale-free and clean wire, rod, or hot-rolled three ways:
steel prior to cold-rolling. Scale removal can be accomplished 6.1.1.1 By a maximum limit, Tables 2-5
by chemical or mechanical cleaning. 6.1.1.2 By a minimum limit, or
6.1.1.3 By minimum and maximum limits, termed the
5.6 Edgerolls,machinedwithcontourgrooves,maybeused
“range.” By common usage, the range is the arithmetical
in conjunction with flat-rolling passes to produce the desired
difference between the two limits (for example, 0.60 to 0.71 is
edge shape.
0.11 range).
5.7 Straightness in flat wire may be controlled by the use of
6.1.2 When carbon steel flat wire is produced from round
roll straighteners alone or in conjunction with cold-rolling
rods or wire it may be designated by grade number. In such
passes.
cases the chemical ranges and limits of Table 6, Table 7, Table
5.8 Edges of flat wire produced by slitting wider flat-rolled 8, and Table 9 of Specification A510 shall apply.
steel can be dressed, depending upon requirements by:
6.2 Cast or Heat Analysis:
5.8.1 Deburring—Aprocess by which burrs are removed by
6.2.1 An analysis of each cast or heat of steel shall be made
rolling or filing to obtain an approximate square edge;
by the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements
5.8.2 Rolling—A process by which the slit edge is dressed
specified or restricted by the applicable specification.
by edge rolling to the desired contour; and
6.2.2 When requested, cast or heat analysis for elements
5.8.3 Filing—A process by which the slit edge is filed to a
listed or required shall be reported to the purchaser or his
specific contour and dimension by passing one or more times
representative.
against a series of files mounted at various angles.
6.3 Product Analysis may be made by the purchaser on the
finished material.
6. Chemical Composition
6.3.1 Capped or rimmed steels are not technologically
6.1 Limits:
suited to product analysis due to the nonuniform character of
6.1.1 When carbon steel flat wire is specified to chemical
their chemical composition and, therefore, the tolerances in
composition, the compositions are commonly prepared using
Table 2 do not apply. Product analysis is appropriate on these
the ranges and limits shown in Table 1. The elements compris-
types of steel only when misapplication is apparent, or for
copper when copper steel is specified.
TABLE 1 Cast or Heat Analysis
6.3.2 For steels other than rimmed or capped, when product
Standard Chemical Ranges and Limits, %
analysis is made by the purchaser, the chemical analysis shall
Element
When Maximum of Specified not vary from the limits specified by more than the amounts in
Range
Element is
Table 2. The several determinations of any element shall not
vary both above and below the specified range.
A
Carbon
6.3.3 When flat wire is produced from round rods or wire,
to 0.15 incl 0.05
over 0.15 to 0.30 incl 0.06 and when a grade number is used to specify the chemical
over 0.30 to 0.40 incl 0.07
composition, the values obtained on a product analysis shall
over 0.40 to 0.60 incl 0.08
not vary from the limits specified by more than the amounts in
over 0.60 to 0.80 incl 0.11
over 0.80 to 1.35 incl 0.14 Table 7 of Specification A510 or A510M.
Manganese
6.4 For referee purposes, if required, Test Methods, Prac-
to 0.50 incl 0.20
over 0.50 to 1.15 incl 0.30
tices and Terminology A751 shall be used.
over 1.15 to 1.65 incl 0.35
B
Phosphorus
to 0.08 incl 0.03
A
TABLE 2 Tolerances for Product Analysis
over 0.08 to 0.15 incl 0.05
B
Sulfur
Tolerance, %
Limit, or Maxi-
to 0.08 incl 0.03
Under
Element mum of Speci-
over 0.08 to 0.15 incl 0.05 Over Maxi-
Minimum
fied Element, %
over 0.15 to 0.23 incl 0.07
mum Limit
Limit
over 0.23 to 0.33 incl 0.10
C
Silicon
Carbon to 0.15 incl 0.02 0.03
to 0.15 incl 0.08
over 0.15 to 0.30 incl 0.15 over 0.15 to 0.40 incl 0.03 0.04
over 0.40 to 0.80 incl 0.03 0.05
over 0.30 to 0.60 incl 0.30
over 0.80 0.03 0.06
Copper
When copper is required 0.20 mini- . Manganese to 0.60 incl 0.03 0.03
over 0.60 to 1.15 incl 0.04 0.04
mum is commonly specified.
over 1.15 to 1.65 incl 0.05 0.05
A
Carbon—The carbon ranges shown in the column headed “Range’’ apply when
Phosphorus . . . . . . 0.01
the specified maximum limit for manganese does not exceed 1.00 %. When the
Sulfur . . 0.01
maximum manganese limit exceeds 1.00 %, add 0.01 to the carbon ranges shown
Silicon to 0.30 incl 0.02 0.03
above.
over 0.30 to 0.60 incl 0.05 0.05
B
Phosphorus and Sulfur—The standard lowest maximum limits for phosphorus
Copper . . . 0.02 . . .
andsulfurare0.030 %and0.035 %respectively.Certainqualities,descriptions,or
A
specifications are furnished to lower standard maximum limits. When produced from round wire or rod the producer may use the tolerances for
C
Silicon—The standard lowest maximum for silicon is 0.10 %. product analysis that appear in Specification A510 or A510M (see 6.3.3).
A805/A805M−09 (2021)
TABLE 3 Thickness Tolerances
10.1.1 Hard-Type Carbon Spring Steel Flat Wire is a very
Tolerances for Speci- stiff, springy product intended for flat work not requiring
Specified Thickness in. [mm] fied Thickness, Plus
ability to withstand cold forming. It is cold reduced with or
and Minus, in. [mm]
withoutpreparatorytreatmenttoaminimumRockwellvalueof
B 98.
0.005 [0.13] to 0.010 [0.25], excl 0.0005 [0.013]
0.010 [0.25] to 0.029 [0.74], excl 0.001 [0.03]
10.1.2 Soft-Type Spring Steel Flat Wire is intended for
0.029 [0.74] to 0.0625 [1.59], excl 0.0015 [0.04]
application where varying degrees of cold forming are
0.0625 [1.59] to 0.250 [6.35], excl 0.002 [0.05]
encountered, that necessitates control of both carbon content
and hardness. Maximum values for carbon vary from 0.25 to
1.35 %, inclusive. This type also involves one of the following
7. Edge
hardnessrestrictions;amaximumonlydesignatedas“soft-type
7.1 The desired edge shall be specified as follows: annealed”orarangeonlydesignatedas“soft-typeintermediate
7.1.1 Number 1 Edge is a prepared edge of a specified hardness.”
contour (round or square) which is produced when a very
10.1.2.1 Soft-Type Annealed Carbon Spring Steel Flat Wire,
accurate width is required or when the finish of the edge
intended for moderately severe cold forming, is produced to a
suitable for electroplating is required, or both.
specific maximum hardness value. The final anneal is at the
7.1.2 Number 2 Edge is not applicable to flat wire products.
finishthickness.Lowestmaximumexpectedhardnessvaluesor
7.1.3 Number 3 Edge is an approximately square edge
tensile strength for specific carbon maximums for steel to
produced by slitting.
0.90 % maximum manganese are shown in Table 8.
7.1.4 Number 4 Edge is a rounded edge produced either by
10.1.2.2 Soft-Type Intermediate Carbon Spring Steel Flat
edgerollingorresultingfromtheflatrollingofaroundsection.
Wire is produced to a specified hardness range, somewhat
Width tolerance and edge condition are not as exacting as for
higher than the category covered in 10.1.2.1. The product is
a No. 1 Edge.
producedbyrollingafterannealingorbyvaryingtheannealing
7.1.5 Number 5 Edge is an approximately square edge
treatment, or both.
produced from slit–edge material on which the burr is elimi-
10.1.2.3 The Rockwell hardness range which can be pro-
nated by rolling or filing.
duced varies with the carbon content, the required hardness,
7.1.6 Number 6 Edge is a square edge produced by edge
and the thickness of the material. In Table 9, Table 10, and
rolling when the width tolerance and edge condition are not as
Table 11 are shown the applicable hardness ranges for various
exacting as for No. 1 Edge.
carbon contents and several thickness ranges. If hardness
values other than those shown in the tables are required, the
8. Dimensional Tolerances
applicablerangesshouldbeagreeduponbetweenthepurchaser
8.1 The dimensional tolerances shall be in accordance with
and the manufacturer. Rockwell hardness range is the arith-
the following:
metical difference between two limits (for example B 82 to B
Tolerances Table Number
90 is an eight–point range).
10.1.3 Spheroidize-Type Carbon Spring Steel Flat Wire is
Thickness 3
Width 4
best suited for the severest cold-forming application, where
Length 5
heat treatment after forming is employed. Spheroidize anneal-
8.2 If restricted tolerances closer than those shown in Table
ing treatment is employed in its production. Lowest maximum
3, Table 4, and Table 5 are required, the degree of restriction
expected hardness values by carbon maximums for steel to
should be established between the purchaser and manufacturer.
0.90 % maximum manganese are shown in Table 12. For
thicknesses under 0.025 in. [0.64 mm] the values for the
8.3 Tolerances for camber should be established between
“Soft-Type Annealed” as contained in Table 8 shall apply.
the purchaser and manufacturer. Camber is the greatest devia-
tion of a side edge from a straight line, the measurement being
11. Hardness and Tensile Properties of Hardened and
taken on the concave side with a straight edge.
Tempered Carbon Spring Steel Flat Wire
9. Temper and Bend Test Requirement for Low-Carbon
11.1 This product is commonly produced to meet a range of
Steel Flat Wire
Rockwell hardness as shown in Table 13.
9.1 Low-carbon steel flat wire specified to temper numbers
11.2 The hardness scale appropriate to each thickness range
shallapproximatethehardnessortensilestrengthvaluesshown
is shown in Table 14.Although conversion tables for hardness
in Table 6.
numbers are available, the recommended practice is to specify
9.2 Bend test specimens shall stand being bent at room
the same scale as that to be used in testing. A Rockwell
temperatures as required in Table 7.
hardness range is the arithmetic difference between two limits
9.3 All mechanical tests are to be conducted in accordance
(for example C 42 to C 46 is a four-point range). Below a
with Test Methods and Definitions A370.
thickness of 0.008 in. [0.20 mm] the Rockwell 15N test
becomes inaccurate, and the use of the tensile test is recom-
10. Types of Untempered-Carbon Spring Steel Flat Wire
mended. The values of ultimate tensile strength cited in Fig. 1
10.1 The following types are produced: apply only to thicknesses less than 0.008 in. [0.20 mm]. When
A805/A805M−09 (2021)
TABLE 4 Tolerances (Plus and Minus) for Specified Width
Specified Thickness, in. [mm]
Edge Number Specified Width, in. [mm]
0.0625 [1.59] to 0.126 [3.20] to 0.250
Under 0.0625 [1.60]
0.126 [3.20] excl [6.35] excl
1 Under 0.0625 [1.60] 0.003 [0.08] . .
0.0625 [1.60] to 0.126 [3.20] excl 0.004 [0.10] 0.004 [0.10] .
0.126 [3.20] to 0.500 [12.70] incl 0.005 [0.13] 0.005 [0.13] 0.005 [0.13]
4 and 6 Under 0.0625 [1.60] 0.006 [0.15] . .
0.0625 [1.60] to 0.126 [3.20] excl 0.008 [0.20] 0.008 [0.20] .
0.126 [3.20] to 0.500 [12.70] incl 0.010 [0.25] 0.010 [0.25] 0.010 [0.25]
3 and 5 0.125 [3.18] to 0.500 [12.70] incl 0.005 [0.13] 0.008 [0.02] . . .
TABLE 5 Length Tolerances
13. Workmanship
Tolerances Over the
13.1 Cut lengths shall have a workmanlike appearance and
Specified Length, in. [mm] Specified Length in.
shall not have defects of a nature or degree for the product, the
[mm]—No Tolerance Under
grade, and the quality ordered that will be detrimental to the
24 [600] to 60 [1500], incl ⁄4 [6.4]
fabrication of the finished part.
Over 60 [1500] to 120 [3000], incl ⁄2 [12.7]
Over 120 [3000] to 240 [6100], incl ⁄4 [19.1] 13.2 Coils may contain more frequent imperfections that
render a portion of the coil unusable since the inspection of
coils does not afford the manufacturer the same opportunity to
remove portions containing imperfections as in the case with
necessary to specify tensile properties for thicknesses of cut lengths.
0.008 in. [0.20 mm] and greater, the manufacturer should be
consulted.
14. Finish and Condition
11.3 Shown in Fig. 1 is the relationship of thickness and
14.1 The finish of low-carbon steel flat wire normally
carbon content with Rockwell hardness or tensile strength for
specified is one of the following:
hardened and tempered spring steel flat wire appropriate for
14.1.1 Number 2 or Regular Bright Finish is produced by
spring applications. When mechanical properties are specified,
rolling on rolls having a moderately smooth finish. It is not
they should be compatible with the application.
generally applicable to plating.
14.1.2 Number 3 or Best Bright Finish is generally of high
12. Coatings
lustreproducedbyselective-rollingpractices,includingtheuse
of specially prepared rolls. Number 3 finish is the highest
12.1 Low-carbon steel flat wire can be produced with
quality finish produced and is particularly suited for electro-
various coatings, such as liquor finish, white-liquor finish,
plating. The production of this finish requires extreme care in
lacquer, paint, copper, zinc (galvanized), cadmium, chromium,
processing and extensive inspection.
nickel, and tin. Metallic coatings can be applied by the hot-dip
method or by electrodeposition. The flat steel can be coated
14.2 Untempered-carbon spring steel flat wire is commonly
prior to slitting to wire widths. In this case the slit edges will
supplied in a Number 2 regular bright finish, as in 14.1.1. The
not be coated.
manufacturer should be consulted if another finish is required.
12.1.1 Copper or liquor coatings consist of thin deposits of
14.3 Hardened and tempered spring steel flat wire is usually
either copper or bronze produced by immersion of the material
supplied in one of the following recognized finishes:
in an acid solution of metallic salts. Because of the nature of
14.3.1 Black-tempered,
liquor coatings no appreciable corrosion protection is afforded
14.3.2 Scaleless-tempered,
by them.
14.3.3 Bright-tempe
...