Designation: A 668/A 668M 04

An American National Standard American Association State Highway and Transportation Officials Standard AASHTO No.: M 102

Standard Specication for

Steel Forgings, Carbon and Alloy, for General Industrial Use1

This standard is issued under the xed designation A 668/A 668M; 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* 1.1 This specication covers untreated and heat-treated carbon and alloy steel forgings for general industrial use. Other ASTM specications for forgings are available for specic applications such as pressure vessels, railroad use, turbine generators, gearing, and others involving special temperature requirements. 1.2 Hot-rolled or cold nished bars are not within the scope of this specication. 1.3 Six classes of carbon steel and seven classes of alloy steel forgings are listed (see Section 7) , which indicates their required heat treatments, as well as mechanical properties. 1.4 Provision, with the suffix H for certication and marking, for the supply of forgings after hardness testing only. 1.5 Supplementary requirements, including those in Specication A 788, of an optional nature are provided. These shall apply only when specied by the purchaser. 1.6 Appendix X1 lists the current classes corresponding to the various classes of Specications A 235, A 237, and A 243, which have been superseded by this specication. 1.7 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard; within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exactly equivalent; therefore; each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specication. 1.8 Unless the order species the applicable 9M9 specication, the forgings shall be furnished to the inch-pound units 2. Referenced Documents 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
1 This specication is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as A 668 03. 2 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 standards Document Summary page on the ASTM website.

A 275/A 275M Test Method for Magnetic Particle Examination of Steel Forgings A 370 Test Methods and Denitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products A 388/A 388M Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of Heavy Steel Forgings A 788 Specication for Steel Forgings, General Requirements E 381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets, Blooms, and Forgings 3. Terminology 3.1 The terminology section of Specication A 788 is applicable to this specication. 3.2 Denitions of Terms Specic to This Standard: 3.2.1 hollow cylindrical forginga forging whose length, as measured on its longitudinal axis is more than its diameter, shall be considered as a hollow cylinder within the scope of this specication if it has been lengthened by extrusion or forged in a manner similar to that of a ring, namely, expanded in diameter on a mandrel. 3.2.2 ring-shaped or disk-shaped forginga forging whose length, as measured on its longitudinal axis, is less than its diameter or main transverse dimension is considered a ring or disk within the meaning of this specication. 4. Ordering Information and General Requirements 4.1 Material supplied to this specication shall conform to the requirements of Specication A 788 which outlines additional ordering information, manufacturing requirements, testing and retesting methods and procedures, marking, certication, product analysis variations and additional supplementary requirements. 4.1.1 If the requirements of this specication are in conict with the requirements of Specication A 788, the requirements of this specication shall prevail. 4.2 When this specication is to be applied to an inquiry, contract, or order, the purchaser should furnish the following information: 4.2.1 The ordering information required by Specication A 788.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

A 668/A 668M 04
4.2.2 The class of forging desired as listed in Section Table 1, 4.2.3 Location(s) of areas of signicant loading if test specimens are to be located in accordance with 7.1.4.5. 4.2.4 The options which may be selected as found in 5.4.2, 7.6.3, and 7.7, and 4.2.5 Any applicable supplementary requirements. 5. Materials and Manufacture 5.1 DiscardSufficient discard shall be made from each ingot to secure freedom from piping and undue segregation. 5.2 Forging Process 5.2.1 The forging shall be brought as close as practical to nished shape and size by hot mechanical work. 5.2.2 Supplementary requirements S2, S14, and S15 may be specied by the purchaser to satisfy concerns about the utility of the proposed forging. 5.3 Heat Treatment: 5.3.1 All forgings, other than Class A, shall be heat treated. See Section 7. 5.3.2 Where options exist within a class, the choice of heat treatment shall be left to the discretion of the manufacturer, unless the purchaser species one of the available options. 6. Chemical Composition 6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical composition prescribed in Table 1. 6.2 The choice of chemical composition is left to the discretion of the manufacturer, unless otherwise specied by the purchaser. See Appendix X2. 6.3 Heat Analysis: 6.3.1 An analysis of each heat shall be made by the manufacturer. 6.4 Product AnalysisAn analysis may be made by the purchaser according to the requirements of Specication A 788. If a standard grade has been used to manufacture the forging the permissible variations in composition of Specication A 788 shall apply. If a non-standard grade of steel has been used, and composition limits have not been supplied, the product analysis can be used only to conrm the type of steel supplied. 7. Mechanical Properties 7.1 Tensile Requirements: 7.1.1 The material shall conform to the tensile properties prescribed in Table 2. 7.1.2 Size ClassicationThe dimensions of the forging at time of heat treatment determine the size classication (see Table 2):
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Elements Composition, max, % Classes A to F and AH to FH Manganese Phosphorus Sulfur 1.35 0.050 0.050 Classes G to N and GH to NH ... 0.040 0.040

7.1.2.1 Solid ForgingsEither the as forged or rough machined diameter or thickness of solid forgings, disregarding large ends, collars, anges, and journals, at time of heat treatment shall determine the size classication. 7.1.2.2 Ring or Hollow Cylinder Forging The size classication shall be determined by its wall thickness or width, whichever is the smaller dimension of either the as forged or rough machined forging at time of heat treatment. 7.1.3 Number of TestsUnless the purchaser species that forgings shall be furnished in accordance with the requirements of 7.3, the number of tension tests performed shall be as follows: 7.1.3.1 For all classes of heat-treated forgings with rough machined weights less than 5000 lb [2250 kg] each, one test shall be made from each size classication represented in each heat in each annealing or normalizing charge, or from each size classication in each heat in each normalizing or quenching charge represented in each tempering charge. For untreated forgings (Class A) weighing less than 5000 lb [2250 kg] each, one test from each heat shall be made. 7.1.3.2 On all classes, for forgings with rough machined weights of 5000 lb [2250 kg] or more, at least one test from each forging shall be made. 7.1.3.3 On all classes, for forgings with rough machined weights of 7000 lb [3200 kg] or more, two tests will be taken: on ring and disk forgings 180 apart; on shafts and long hollow cylinders (over 80 in. [2.0 m] in length excluding test material), one from each end and offset 180 . Shafts and cylinder forgings 80 in. [2.0 m] or less in length (excluding test material) may have both tests located at one end 180 apart. 7.1.3.4 When forgings are made in multiple as a single forging, that is, forged as one piece and divided after heat treatment, the multiple forging shall be considered as one forging, and the number of tests required shall be as designated in 7.1.3.1, 7.1.3.2, and 7.1.3.3. 7.1.4 Prolongations: 7.1.4.1 A sufficient number of the forgings shall have prolongations for extracting specimens for testing. Locations of test specimens for various types of forgings shall be as shown in Fig. 1. 7.1.4.2 The nominal or principal outside rough machine diameter or thickness of the forgings, disregarding large ends, collars, anges, and journals shall determine the size of the prolongations for test specimens; however, the prolongations on annealed, normalized, or normalized and tempered shafts may be extensions of the small diameter end of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 1. 7.1.4.3 For quenched forgings in Classes F, J, K, L, M, and N, the prolongations shall be sufficiently long so that the center of the gage length (for longitudinal specimens) or axis (for tangential specimens) of the tension test specimen shall be at the following locations: (1) On solid round forgings, bars, or billets (see Fig. 1 (a)), at midradius and from the end, 312 in. [90 mm] or 12 the diameter, whichever is less. (2) On solid rectangular forgings, bars, or billets, at 14 the thickness and width and from the end, 312 in. [90 mm] or 12 the thickness, whichever is less.
2

A 668/A 668M 04
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
Size, in. [mm] Class Over Not Over psi Carbon Steel A (AH) (Untreated) B (BH) (Annealed, or normalized, or normalized and tempered) C (CH) (Annealed, or normalized, or normalized and tempered) D (DH) (Normalized, annealed, or normalized and tempered) ... ... 20 [500] 20 [500] 47 000 60 000 325 415 ... 30 000 ... 205 ... 24 ... 36 183 max 120174 MPa Tensile Strength, min Yield Point, Yield Strength 0.2 % Offset, min psi MPa Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % Reduction of Area, min, % Brinell Hardness

... 12 [300] ... 8 [200] 12 [300] 20 [500] ... 8 [200] 12 [300] ... 4 [100] 7 [175] 10 [250]

12 [300] 20 [500] 8 [200] 12 [300] 20 [500]

66 000 66 000 75 75 75 75 000 000 000 000

455 455 515 515 515 515 585 570 570 620 585 585 565

33 000 33 000 37 37 37 37 500 500 500 500

230 230 260 260 260 260 305 295 295 380 345 345 330

23 22 24 22 20 19 25 23 22 20 20 19 19

36 34 40 35 32 30 40 37 35 39 39 37 36

137183 137183 149207 149207 149207 149207 174217 174217 174217 187235 174217 174217 174217

E (EH) (Normalized and tempered or double-normalized and tempered)

8 [200] 12 [300] 20 [500] 4 7 10 20 [100] [175] [254] [500]

85 000 83 000 83 000 90 85 85 82 000 000 000 000

44 000 43 000 43 000 55 50 50 48 000 000 000 000

F (FH) (Quenched and tempered, or normalized, quenched and tempered)

Alloy Steel G (GH) (Annealed, or normalized, or normalized and tempered) H (HH) (Normalized and tempered) ... 12 [300] ... 7 [175] 10 [250] ... 7 [175] 10 [250] ... 7 [175] 10 [250] ... 4 [100] 7 [175] 10 [250] ... 4 [100] 7 [178] 10 [250] ... 4 [100] 7 [175] 10 [250] 12 [300] 20 [500] 7 [175] 10 [250] 20 [500] 7 [175] 10 [250] 20 [500] 7 [178] 10 [250] 20 [500] 4 7 10 20 4 7 10 20 4 7 10 20 [100] [175] [250] [500] [100] [175] [254] [500] [100] [175] [250] [500] 80 000 80 000 90 000 90 000 90 000 95 000 90 000 90 000 105 000 100 000 100 000 125 115 110 110 145 140 135 135 170 165 160 160 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 550 550 620 620 620 655 620 620 725 690 690 860 795 760 760 1000 965 930 930 1175 1140 1100 1100 50 000 50 000 60 000 58 000 58 000 70 000 65 000 65 000 80 000 75 000 75 000 105 95 85 85 120 115 110 110 140 135 130 130 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 345 345 415 400 400 485 450 450 550 515 515 725 655 585 585 825 790 758 758 965 930 900 900 24 22 22 21 18 20 20 18 20 19 18 16 16 16 14 15 14 13 12 13 12 11 11 40 38 44 42 40 50 50 48 50 50 48 50 45 45 40 45 40 40 38 40 35 35 35 163207 163207 187235 187235 187235 197255 187235 207255 212269 207269 207269 255321 235302 223293 223293 293352 285341 269331 269341 331401 331401 321388 321402

J (JH) (Normalized and tempered, or normalized, quenched, and tempered)

K (KH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered)

L (LH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered)

M (MH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered)

N (NH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered)

(3) On disk forgings (see Fig. 1(c)) (with prolongation on OD), at midthickness and from the OD 312 in. [90 mm] or 12 the thickness, whichever is less. (4) On disk forgings (see Fig. 1(c)) (with prolongation on the width or thickness) 312 in. [90 mm] or 12 the thickness, whichever is less, from any heat treated surface. (5) On ring forgings (see Fig. 1(d)) (with prolongation on width), at midwall and from the ring face 312 in. [90 mm] or 12 the wall thickness, whichever is less. (6) On ring forgings (see Fig. 1(d)) (with prolongation on the OD), at midwidth and from the OD 312 in. [90 mm] or 12 the width, whichever is less.
3

7.1.4.4 In place of prolongs, the manufacturer may: (1) elect to submit an extra forging(s) to represent each test lot; in this event, the representative forging must be made from the same heat of steel, have received the same reduction and type of hot working, be of the same nominal thickness, and have been heat treated in the same furnace charge as the forging(s) it represents; or (2) obtain the test specimen from the trepanned material of transverse or radial holes, provided depth is equal to or greater than the minimum depth required by 7.1.4.3. 7.1.4.5 With prior purchaser approval, test specimens may be taken at a depth (t) corresponding to the distance from the area of signicant stress to the nearest heat treated surface and

A 668/A 668M 04

FIG. 1 Locations of Test Specimens for Various Types of Forgings

at least twice this distance (2t) from any second surface. However, the test depth shall not be nearer to one heat-treated surface than 34 in. [19 mm] and to the second heat treated surface than 1 12 in. [38 mm]. Sketches showing the exact test locations shall be approved by the purchaser when this method is used. 7.1.5 Tests for acceptance shall be made after nal heat treatment of the forgings. 7.1.6 Test specimens shall be parallel to the axis of the forging in the direction in which the metal is most drawn out except that rings, hollow forgings which were expanded by forging, and disks shall be tested in the tangential direction.
4

7.1.7 Yield point shall be determined on carbon steel Grades A through F, and yield strength on alloy steel Grades G through N. For carbon steel grades not showing a yield point, the yield strength at 0.2 % offset shall be reported. 7.2 Hardness TestsBrinell hardness tests shall be performed after heat treatment (except on Class A forgings) and rough machining on each forging weighing under 7000 lb [3200 kg] and each multiple forging made in accordance with 7.1.3.3 weighing under 7000 lb [3200 kg]. For exceptions see 7.1.3.4 and 7.2.3. 7.2.1 The average value of the hardness readings on each forging shall fall within the hardness ranges specied in Table

A 668/A 668M 04
2. The permissible variation in hardness in any forging over 250 lb [110 kg] shall not exceed 30 HB for Classes A through E, 40 HB for Classes F through J, 50 HB for Classes K through N. 7.2.2 At least two hardness tests shall be taken on each at face of disks, rings, and hollow forgings over 250 lb [110 kg] approximately at midradius and 180 apart, for example, at the 3:00 and 9:00 positions on one face, and 6:00 and 12:00 positions on the opposite face. On solid forgings over 250 lb [110 kg], at least four tests shall be taken on the periphery of the forging, two at each end 180 apart. 7.2.3 For forgings 250 lb [110 kg] and less, Brinell testing shall be performed on the broken test specimens representing the heat or heats included in each heat treating charge, or in the case of untreated forgings (Class A), on the test specimen representing each heat. The results shall meet the requirements of Table 2. If the purchaser desires Brinell testing of each forging, Supplementary Requirement S11 may be used. 7.3 If so specied by the purchaser, forgings may be supplied on the basis of hardness tests alone. If this option is exercised, the class shall be identied in certication and marking with the suffix H, that is, AH, BH, CH, etc. 8. Retreatment 8.1 When heat-treated forgings are specied, and the mechanical test results of any test lot do not conform to the requirements specied, the manufacturer may retreat the lot not more than three additional times, and retests shall be made according to Section 7. Retreatment is dened as complete re-austenization. Multiple retempering is not precluded by this requirement. 8.2 When untreated forgings (Class A) are specied, and the mechanical test results of any test lot do not conform to the requirements specied, the manufacturer may anneal, normalize, or normalize and temper, one or more times, but not more than three times; and retests shall be made in accordance with Section 7. The tensile properties shall conform to the requirements for the class of forgings ordered (Class A). 9. Inspection, Rejection, and Certication 9.1 Facilities for inspection at the place of manufacture, rejection of forgings and certication shall comply with Specication A 788. 10. Product Marking 10.1 The marking requirements of Specication A 788 shall be augmented as follows. 10.2 Each forging over 250 lb [110 kg] shall be legibly stamped by the manufacturer with the manufacturers name or trademark, the manufacturers serial number, the specication identication number, followed by the appropriate class number and, where applicable, a standard Grade designation. 10.3 For forgings 250 lb [110 kg] and under, the purchaser may indicate the nature and location of identication marks. 10.4 The type of stamps to be used shall be round-nosed or interrupted-dot die stamps having a minimum radius of 132 in. [0.79 mm]. 11. Keywords 11.1 alloy steel forgings; carbon steel forgings; general industrial applications; heat treatment classications; strength classications

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS One or more of the following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specied by the purchaser in the inquiry, contract, and order. Details of these supplementary requirements shall be agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser. S1. Chemical Composition S1.1 The supplier shall obtain approval of the grade of steel he proposes to apply to the order and reach agreement with the purchaser on the ranges of each element specied in the composition. S2. Special Forging Techniques S2.1 Special forging techniques are required to produce metal ow during the hot working operation in the direction most favorable for resisting the stresses encountered in service. Verication of forging ow lines shall be by macro-etch testing of sample forgings in accordance with Method E 381. S3. Rough Turning and Boring S3.1 The position of any rough turning or boring in the sequence of manufacturing operations. S4. Carbon Content for Welding S4.1 For forgings intended for welding, the carbon content (product analysis) shall be limited to 0.35 max %. S5. Bend Tests S5.1 The test specimen shall withstand being bent at room temperature through 180 without cracking on the outside of the bent portion of an inside diameter of 112 in. [40 mm]. S6. Magnetic Particle Test S6.1 Forgings shall be magnetic particle tested in accordance with the latest issue of Test Method A 275/A 275M. S7. Ultrasonic Test S7.1 Forgings shall be ultrasonically tested in accordance with the latest issue of Practice A 388/A 388M.

A 668/A 668M 04
S8. Vacuum Treatment S8.1 Vacuum degassed steel shall be supplied. S9. Tensile Requirements S9.1 When sizes larger than permitted in Table 2 are required, ductility values may be reduced from the specied values. S9.2 Yield strengths higher than those listed in Table 2 for quenched and tempered grades may be specied. S10. Heat Treatment S10.1 A minimum tempering temperature shall be specied. S11. Additional Tests S11.1 Tests in addition to those prescribed in Section 7 may be specied. S12. Additional Marking S12.1 Additional identication marking or the locations of the stamping or both may be specied. S14. Forge Procedure S14.1 The forge procedure shall be submitted by the manufacturer to the purchaser for approval prior to production of the forging. S15. Rough Forging Sketches A dimensioned sketch or drawing of the proposed rough forging shall be supplied by the producer for approval before the forging is produced. This drawing or sketch shall indicate also the proposed heat treatment contour, including bores, if any, and the position of the required mechanical test coupons.

APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information) X1. COMPARISON OF SPECIFICATION A 668/A 668M VERSUS SUPERSEDED SPECIFICATIONS A 235, A 237, and A 243

X1.1 See specication comparison in Table X1.1.

TABLE X1.1 Specication Comparison
Superseded Specication and Class A 235, A A 235, C A 235, C1 A 235, E A 235, F A 235, F1 A 235, G A 237, A A 237, B A 237, C A 237, C1 A 237, D A 237, E A 237, F A 237, G A 237, H A 243, A A 243, C A 243, C1 A 243, E A 243, F A 243, F1 A 243, G A 243, H A 243, I A 243, J A 243, K A 243, L A 243, M A 243, N A 243, O Use A 668/A 668M, Class A B C D ... E F G ... H ... J K L M N A B C D ... E F G ... H J K L M N

A 668/A 668M 04

X2. TYPICAL GRADES OF STEEL USED FOR A 668/A 668M CLASSES

X2.1 See chemical composition and class/grade guide for typical grades of steel in Tables X2.1 and X2.2, respectively.
TABLE X2.1 Chemical Composition (Maximum Weight Percentage)
Element Carbon Manganese Phosphorous Sulfur Silicon Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Vanadium Grade X1 0.30 0.90 0.04 0.04 0.35 ... ... ... ... Grade X2 0.45 0.90 0.04 0.04 0.35 ... ... ... ... Grade X3 0.40 0.85 0.025 0.025 0.35 3.75 ... ... ... Grade X4 0.45 1.10 0.025 0.025 0.35 ... 1.10 0.25 ... Grade X5 0.45 0.90 0.025 0.025 0.35 2.00 1.00 0.30 ... Grade X6 0.40 0.90 0.015 0.015 0.35 2.50 1.25 0.60 0.20

TABLE X2.2 Class/Grade Guide

Class Carbon Steel A B C D E F Alloy Steel G H J K L M N Brinell Hardness 183 max 120174 137183 149207 174217 187235 163207 187235 197255 212269 255321 293352 331401 Applicable Grades X1 X1 X1, X2 X1, X2 X2 X2 X3, X4 X3, X4 X3, X4, X5 X3, X5 X4, X5 X5, X6 X6

SUMMARY OF CHANGES Committee A01 has identied the location of the following changes to this standard since A 668/A 668M-03 that may impact the use of this standard. (1) Deletion of Table 2 and Incorporation of Section 10 with Section 4.. (2) Deletion of original sections 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15. (3) Addition of new section 9. (4) Sections 11, and 16 renumbered as 8 and 10 respectively. (5) New scope items 1.4 and 1.8 added and original 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 renumbered. Supplementary requirement S13 deleted. (1) Added 7.1.4.5, added new 4.2.3, re-numbered prior 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 to 4.1.4 and 4.1.5, respectively.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility. This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every ve years and if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below. This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org).