Designation: A 228/A 228M 02

An American National Standard

Standard Specication for

Steel Wire, Music Spring Quality1

This standard is issued under the xed designation A 228/A 228M; 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 a high quality, round, colddrawn steel music spring quality wire, uniform in mechanical properties, intended especially for the manufacture of springs subject to high stresses or requiring good fatigue properties. 1.2 The values stated in either SI (metric) units or inchpound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. 2. Referenced Documents 2.1 ASTM Standards: A 370 Test Methods and Denitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products2 A 510 Specication for General Requirements for Wire Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel2 A 510M Specication for General Requirements for Wire Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel [Metric]2 A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment3 A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products2 A 938 Standard Test Method for Torsion Testing of Wire2 A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys4 E 29 Practice for Using Signicant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specications5 E 1077 Test Method for Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens6 2.2 Military Standard: MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Shipment and Storage7
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 A01.03 on Steel Rod and Wire. Current edition approved March 10, 2002. Published April 2002. Originally published as A 228 39 T. Last previous edition A 228/A 228M 00. 2 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. 3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. 4 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01. 5 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. 6 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. 7 Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
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2.3 Federal Standard: Fed. Std. No. 123, Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)7 2.4 American National Standard: B32.4 Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rectangle, and Hexagon Metal Products8 2.5 AIAG Standard: AIAG B-5 02.00 Primary Metals Identication Tag Application Standard9 3. Terminology 3.1 DenitionsFor denitions of terms used in this specication, refer to Terminology A 941. 4. Ordering Information 4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all requirements that are necessary for material under this specication. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to, the following information: 4.1.1 Quantity (mass), 4.1.2 Name of material (music steel spring wire), 4.1.3 Dimensions (Table 1 and Section 9), 4.1.4 Finish (see 10.2), 4.1.5 Packaging (Section 15), 4.1.6 Heat analysis report, if requested (see 6.2), 4.1.7 Certication or test report, or both, if specied (Section 14), and 4.1.8 ASTM designation and year of issue.
NOTE 1A typical metric ordering description is as follows: 2500 kg Music Spring Wire, 1.40 mm diameter, phosphate coated in 25 kg coils to ASTM A 288M dated _____, or for inch-pound units, 5000 lb Music Spring Wire, 0.055 in. diameter, phosphate coated in 50 lb coils to ASTM A 288 dated _____.

5. Materials and Manufacture 5.1 The steel may be made by any commercially accepted steel-making process. The steel may be either ingot cast or strand cast. The rod to be used in the manufacture of wire furnished to this specication shall be in accordance with Specication A 510 or A 510M.
8 Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036. 9 Available from the Automotive Industry Action Group, 26200 Lahser, Suite 200, Southeld, MI 48034.

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A 228/A 228M
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TABLE 1 Tensile Requirements

SI Units Tensile Strength, MPa min 3000 2950 2900 2850 2800 2750 2700 2680 2650 2620 2600 2550 2500 2450 2400 2380 2350 2320 2300 2250 max 3300 3250 3200 3150 3100 3050 3000 2980 2950 2920 2900 2820 2750 2700 2650 2620 2600 2580 2550 2500 Diameter, mmA,B 0.90 1.00 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.5 3.8 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 Tensile Strength, MPa min 2200 2150 2120 2100 2050 2000 1980 1950 1900 1850 1820 1800 1780 1750 1720 1700 1680 1650 1620 1600 max 2450 2400 2380 2350 2300 2250 2220 2200 2150 2100 2050 2000 1980 1950 1920 1900 1880 1850 1820 1800 Element

TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements

Composition, % 0.701.00 0.200.60 0.025 0.030 0.100.30

Diameter, mmA,B 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50 0.55 0.60 0.65 0.70 0.80

Carbon Manganese Phosphorus, max Sulfur, max Silicon

Inch-Pound Units Diameter, in.A Tensile Strength, ksi min 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.008 0.009 0.010 0.011 0.012 0.013 0.014 0.015 0.016 0.018 0.020 0.022 0.024 0.026 0.028 0.030 0.032 0.034 0.036 0.038 0.040 0.042 0.045 0.048 0.051
A B

max 485 471 459 449 441 434 428 422 417 412 408 404 400 393 387 382 377 373 368 365 361 358 355 352 349 346 342 339 335

Diameter, in.A 0.055 0.059 0.063 0.067 0.072 0.076 0.080 0.085 0.090 0.095 0.100 0.102 0.107 0.110 0.112 0.121 0.125 0.130 0.135 0.140 0.145 0.150 0.156 0.162 0.177 0.192 0.207 0.225 0.250

Tensile Strength, ksi min 300 296 293 290 287 284 282 279 276 274 271 270 268 267 266 263 261 259 258 256 254 253 251 249 245 241 238 235 230 max 331 327 324 321 317 314 312 308 305 303 300 299 296 295 294 290 288 286 285 283 281 279 277 275 270 267 264 260 255

the manufacturer to determine the percentage of elements prescribed in Table 2. This analysis shall be made from a test specimen preferably taken during the pouring of the heat. When requested in the purchase order, the heat analysis shall be reported to the purchaser. 6.3 Product AnalysisAn analysis may be made by the purchaser from nished wire representing each heat of steel. The chemical composition thus determined, as to elements required or restricted, shall conform to the product analysis requirements specied in Table 10 of Specication A 510M or A 510. 6.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751 shall be used. 7. Mechanical Properties 7.1 Tension Test: 7.1.1 RequirementsThe material as represented by tension test specimens shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1. 7.1.2 Number of TestsOne test specimen shall be taken from each end of every coil or from the top or outside end of each reel or spool. 7.1.3 Test MethodThe tension test shall be made in accordance with Test Methods and Denitions A 370. 7.1.4 For wire diameters over 6.0 mm [0.250 in.], mechanical properties and chemical composition shall be negotiated between purchaser and supplier and shall be included on the order information. 7.2 Wrap Test: 7.2.1 RequirementsThe wrap test shall be applied only to sizes smaller than 0.70 mm [0.028 in.] in diameter. 7.2.2 Number of TestsOne test specimen shall be taken from the top or outside end of each coil, reel or spool and shall be tested for conformance. 7.2.3 Test MethodEach test specimen shall be closed wound on an arbor of its own diameter for a minimum of four full wraps. Wire so tested shall not show any splits or fractures. 7.3 Torsion Test: 7.3.1 RequirementsThe torsion test shall be applied to wire sizes 0.70 mm [0.028 in.] and larger in diameter. For wire sizes smaller in diameter than 0.70 mm [0.028 in.], the torsion test may be substituted for the wrap test (7.2). In this case, the minimum number of torsions to failure will be equivalent to 25 in a test length of 100d. 7.3.2 Number of testsOne test specimen shall be taken from the top or outside end of each coil, reel, or spool and shall be tested for conformance. 7.3.3 Test MethodTest specimens shall be prepared and tested as shown in A 938 with the following exception. The minimum number of torsions (twists) to failure in a test length
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439 426 415 407 399 393 387 382 377 373 369 365 362 356 350 345 341 337 333 330 327 324 321 318 315 313 309 306 303

Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be interpolated. Preferred sizes. For a complete list, refer to ANSI B32.4, Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rectangle and Hexagon Metal Products.

5.2 The nished wire shall be free from detrimental pipe and undue segregation. 5.3 The wire shall be cold drawn to produce the desired mechanical properties. 6. Chemical Composition 6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical composition prescribed in Table 2. 6.2 Heat AnalysisEach heat of steel shall be analyzed by
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A 228/A 228M
of 100d (where d = the wire diameter being tested) are shown in Table 3. 7.3.4 Following completion of the torsion test, the torsion fracture shall be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the test specimen and the surface of the test specimen shall not be split. Secondary (recoil) fractures shall be ignored. 7.3.5 Test lengths other than 100d may be utilized. In this case, the minimum number of torsions to failure shall be adjusted in direct proportion to the change in test length as determined by the following formula:
Tx 5 Td 3 Lx Ld (1)

where Tx = Td = Lx = Ld =

minimum number of torsions for new test length, minimum number of torsions for 100d test length, new test length, and 100d test length
FIG. 1 Positioning of Perpendicular Bisectors

8. Metallurgical Requirements 8.1 Surface Condition: 8.1.1 The surface of the wire as-received shall be free of rust, excessive scale, die marks, pits, and scratches detrimental to the end application. Seams shall not exceed 2 % of the wire diameter or 0.15 mm [0.006 in.], whichever is less. 8.1.2 Location of TestTest specimens shall be taken from either or both ends of the coil. 8.2 Decarburization: 8.2.1 The maximum affected depth of decarburization shall not exceed 2 % of the wire diameter or 0.15 mm [0.006 in.], whichever is less. The maximum average partial decarburization depth shall not exceed 1.5% of the wire diameter when measured using the test method described in 8.2.3. 8.2.2 Test MethodDecarburization shall be determined by etching a suitably polished transverse section of wire with nital. The entire periphery to be examined should be in a single plane with no edge rounding. (See Test Method E 1077.) 8.2.3 The entire periphery shall be examined at a magnication of no less than 1003 for depth of free ferrite and maximum affected depth. Smaller wire sizes may require higher magnication. Complete decarburization exists when only free ferrite is present. The worst case location shall be used to position perpendicular bisectors as shown in Fig. 1. The depth of decarburization (D) shall be measured at each of the four points where the perpendicular bisectors cross the circumference of the wire. The four readings so obtained shall be
TABLE 3 Test Lengths for Torsion Test
SI Units Diameter, mm 0.70 to 2.0, incl over 2.0 to 3.5, incl over 3.5 to 6.0, incl Inch-Pound Units Diameter, in. 0.028 to 0.079, incl over 0.079 to 0.138, incl over 0.138 to 0.250, incl Number of Torsions in 100d 25 20 15 Number of Torsions in 100d 25 20 15

averaged, and the average shall not exceed 1.5% of the wire diameter. 8.2.4 The purchaser may specify more restrictive decarburization requirements where necessary for special applications. These requirements shall be negotiated between the purchaser and supplier and must be included in the order information. 8.2.5 There are no decarburization requirements for wire sizes smaller in diameter than 2.0 mm [0.078 in]. 9. Dimensions and Permissible Variations 9.1 The permissible variations in the diameter of the wire shall be as specied in Table 4. 10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance 10.1 WorkmanshipThe wire shall not be kinked or improperly cast. To test for cast, one convolution of wire shall be cut from the coil, reel, or spool and placed on a at surface. The
TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Wire DiameterA
SI Units Diameter, mm to 0.25, incl Over 0.25 to 0.70, incl Over 0.70 to 1.50, incl Over 1.50 to 2.00, incl Over 2.00 Permissible Variations, plus and minus, mm 0.005 0.008 0.010 0.013 0.03 Inch-Pound Units Diameter, in. 0.004 to 0.010, incl Over 0.010 to 0.028, Over 0.028 to 0.063, Over 0.063 to 0.080, Over 0.080 to 0.250, Permissible Variations, plus and minus, in. incl incl incl incl 0.0002 0.0003 0.0004 0.0005 0.001 Permissible Out-of-Round, in. 0.0002 0.0003 0.0004 0.0005 0.001 Permissible Out-of-Round, mm 0.005 0.008 0.010 0.013 0.03

A For purposes of determining conformance with this specication, all specied limits are absolute as dened in Practice E 29.

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A 228/A 228M
wire shall not spring up nor show a wavy condition. Wire below 4.0 mm or 0.156 in. diameter shall lie at while wire diameters larger than the above shall lie substantially at. 10.1.1 Each coil, reel, or spool shall be one continuous length of wire, properly coiled and rmly tied. 10.1.2 Welds made prior to cold drawing are permitted. If unmarked welds are unacceptable to the purchaser, special arrangements should be made with the manufacturer at the time of purchase. 10.2 FinishMusic wire is supplied with many different types of nish such as bright, phosphate, tin, and others. Finish desired should be specied on purchase orders. 11. Retests 11.1 If any test specimen exhibits obvious defects or shows the presence of a weld, it shall be discarded and another specimen substituted. 12. Inspection 12.1 Unless otherwise specied in the contract or purchase order, the manufacturer is responsible for the performance of all inspection and test requirements specied in this specication. Except as otherwise specied in the contract or purchase order, the manufacturer may use his own or any other suitable facilities for the performance of the inspection and test requirements unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time the order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in this specication when such inspections and tests are deemed necessary to assure that the material conforms to prescribed requirements. 13. Rejection and Rehearing 13.1 Unless otherwise specied, any rejection based on tests made in accordance with these specications shall be reported to the manufacturer as soon as possible so that an investigation may be initiated. 13.2 The material shall be adequately protected and identied correctly for the manufacturer to make a proper investigation.
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14. Certication 14.1 When specied in the purchase order or contract, a producers or suppliers certication shall be furnished to the purchaser that the material was manufactured, sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with this specication and has been found to meet the requirements. When specied in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall be furnished. 14.2 The certication shall include the specication number, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any. 15. Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment 15.1 The coil, reel or spool mass, dimensions, and the method of packaging shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and purchaser. 15.2 A tag shall be attached securely to each coil of wire with identifying information as agreed upon by the purchaser and manufacturer. 15.3 Unless otherwise specied in the purchasers order, packaging, marking, and loading for shipments shall be in accordance with those procedures recommended by Practices A 700. 15.4 For Government Procurement: 15.4.1 Packaging, packing, and marking of material for military procurement shall be in accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-163, Level A, Level C, or commercial as specied in the contract or purchase order. Marking for shipment of material for civil agencies shall be in accordance with Fed. Std No. 123. 15.5 Bar CodingIn addition to the previously-stated identication requirements, bar coding is acceptable as a supplementary identication method. Bar coding should be consistent with AIAG Standard 02.00, Primary Metals Identication Tag Application. The bar code may be applied to a substantially affixed tag. 16. Keywords 16.1 music spring; wire

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