Designation: A 941 06a

Standard Terminology Relating to

Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 941; 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.

1. Scope* alloying element, except sulphur, phosphorus, carbon, and

1.1 This standard is a compilation of definitions of terms nitrogen.
related to steel, stainless steel, related alloys, and ferroalloys. capped steel, na rimmed steel in which, during ingot
1.2 When a term is used in an ASTM document for which solidification, the rimming action was limited by mechanical
Committee A01 is responsible, it is included herein only when or chemical means.
judged, after review by Subcommittee A01.92, to be a gener- carbon steel, na steel that conforms to a specification that
ally usable term. prescribes a maximum limit, by heat analysis in mass
1.3 Some definitions include a discussion section, which is percent, of not more than: 2.00 for carbon and 1.65 for
a mandatory part of the definition and contains additional manganese, but does not prescribe a minimum limit for
information that is relevant to the meaning of the defined term. chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, niobium (colum-
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular standard will bium), tungsten (wolfram), vanadium, or zirconium.
appear in that standard and will supersede any definitions of DISCUSSIONExcept as required above, it is permissible for carbon
identical terms in this standard. steel specifications to prescribe limits (minimum or maximum, or both)
for each specified alloying element, subject to the following restrictions
2. Referenced Documents for the heat analysis limits in mass percent:
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 (a) for wrought carbon steel products, the specified maximum limit is
not to exceed: 0.10 for aluminum, 0.60 for silicon, and 0.050 for
E 112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
titanium;
(b) for carbon steel castings, the specified maximum limit is not to
3. Terminology
exceed: 0.10 for aluminum, 1.00 for silicon, and 0.050 for titanium.
3.1 Definitions of General Terms: (c) for carbon steels that are required to be rephosphorized, the
specified minimum limit for phosphorus is not to be less than 0.040;
alloy steel, na steel, other than a stainless steel, that (d) for carbon steels that are required to be resulfurized, the specified
conforms to a specification that requires one or more of the minimum limit for sulfur is not to be less than 0.060;
following elements, by mass percent, to have a minimum (e) for carbon steels that are not required to be rephosphorized or
content equal to or greater than: 0.30 for aluminum; 0.0008 resulfurized, the specified maximum limit is not to exceed: 0.60 for
for boron; 0.30 for chromium; 0.30 for cobalt; 0.40 for copper, 0.050 for phosphorus, and 0.060 for sulfur; and
copper; 0.40 for lead; 1.65 for manganese; 0.08 for molyb- (f) for carbon steels that are required to contain boron, copper, or lead,
the specified minimum limit is not to exceed: 0.0005 for boron, 0.35 for
denum; 0.30 for nickel; 0.06 for niobium (columbium); 0.60 copper, and 0.25 for lead.
for silicon; 0.05 for titanium; 0.30 for tungsten (wolfram);
0.10 for vanadium; 0.05 for zirconium; or 0.10 for any other cast analysisDeprecated term. Use the preferred term heat
analysis.
certificate of compliance, nin manufactured products, a
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, document that states that the product was manufactured,
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with the
A01.92 on Terminology.
Current edition approved June 15, 2006. Published July 2006. Originally
requirements of the specification (including year of issue)
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as A 941 06. and any other requirements specified in the purchase order or
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contract, and has been found to meet such requirements.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on DISCUSSIONA single document, containing test report information
the ASTM website. and certificate of compliance information, may be used.

*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.

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 A 941 06a
certifying organization, nin product specifications, the product analysis tolerances are not applied and the heat analysis is not
entity responsible for the conformance and certification of altered.
the product to the specification requirements. heat number, nthe alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric desig-
check analysisDeprecated term. Use the preferred term nator used to identify a specific heat of steel.
product analysis. high-strength low-alloy steel, na steel, other than a carbon
coarse grain practice, na steelmaking practice for other steel or an interstitial-free steel, that conforms to a speci-
than stainless steel that is intended to produce a killed steel fication that requires the minimum content for each specified
in which aluminum, niobium (columbium), titanium, and alloying element to be lower than the applicable limit in the
vanadium are residual elements. definition for alloy steel, and the yield point or yield strength
cold working, nmechanical deformation of a metal at of the product to be at least 36 ksi or 250 MPa.
temperatures below its recrystallization temperature. hot-cold working, nthe mechanical deformation of austen-
defect, nan imperfection of sufficient magnitude to warrant itic and precipitation hardening steels at a temperature just
rejection based on the specified requirements. below the recrystallization temperature to increase the
direct quenching, nin thermomechanical processing, yield strength and hardness by plastic deformation or pre-
quenching immediately following the final hot deformation. cipitation hardening effects induced by plastic deformation,
document, na written, printed, or electronic record that or both.
provides information, evidence, or official statements. hot working, nmechanical deformation of a metal at tem-
electronic data interchange, nthe computer to computer peratures above its recrystallization temperature.
exchange of business information in a standardized format. imperfection, na material discontinuity or irregularity that is
ellipsis, nin a tabular entry, three periods (...) that indicate detectable by inspection.
that there is no requirement. inclusion shape control, nthe addition of elements during
ferroalloy, nan alloy of iron and one or more other metals, steel making in order to affect the inclusion morphology.
for use as an addition to the molten metal during the inspection, nthe process of measuring, examining, testing,
manufacture of steels, nickel alloys, or cobalt alloys. gaging, or otherwise comparing the unit of product with the
fine grain practice, na steelmaking practice for other than applicable requirements.
stainless steel that is intended to produce a killed steel that interstitial-free steel, na steel that has essentially all of its
is capable of meeting the requirements specified for fine carbon and nitrogen chemically combined with stabilization
austenitic grain size. elements rather than being present interstitially.
DISCUSSIONIt normally involves the addition of one or more DISCUSSIONThe heat analysis limits (minimum or maximum, or
austenitic grain refining elements in amounts that have been established both) that are permitted to be prescribed in interstitial-free steel
by the steel producer as being sufficient. Austenitic grain refining specifications are as given in the definition for carbon steel, except that
elements include, but are not limited to, aluminum, niobium (colum- the 0.050 % maximum limit for titanium does not apply.
bium), titanium, and vanadium.
killed steel, na steel deoxidized to such a level that
grain size, nthe dimensions of the grains or crystals in a essentially no reaction occurred between carbon and oxygen
polycrystalline metal, exclusive of twinned regions and during solidification.
subgrains when present. laser beam welding, na welding process that uses a laser
DISCUSSIONGrain size is usually estimated or measured on the beam as the heat source.
cross section of an aggregate of grains, and designated by an ASTM lot, na definite quantity of product manufactured under
grain size number. (See Test Methods E 112.) conditions that are considered uniform.
heat, na generic term denoting a specific lot of steel, based low-alloy steel, na steel, other than a carbon steel or an
upon steelmaking and casting considerations. interstitial-free steel, that conforms to a specification that
requires the minimum content for each specified alloying
DISCUSSIONWhere it is necessary to be more definitive, the follow- element to be lower than the applicable limit in the definition
ing more specific terms are used: primary heat, multiple heat, and
remelted heat. In product specifications, the term heat generally is
for alloy steel.
used, without qualification, to mean the primary, multiple, or re- manufacturer, nthe organization responsible for the conver-
melted heat, whichever is applicable. sion of materials into products meeting the requirements of
a product specification.
heat analysis, nthe chemical analysis determined by the microalloyed steel, na low-alloy steel that conforms to a
steel producer as being representative of a specific heat of specification that requires the presence of one or more
steel. carbide-, nitride-, or carbonitride-forming elements, gener-
DISCUSSIONWhere the analysis reported by the steel producer is not ally in individual concentrations less than 0.15 mass percent,
sufficiently complete for conformance with the heat analysis require- to enhance strength.
ments of the applicable product specification to be fully assessed, the
manufacturer may complete the assessment of conformance with such DISCUSSIONThe most common microalloying elements are niobium
heat analysis requirements by using a product analysis for the specified (columbium), titanium, and vanadium.
elements that were not reported by the steel producer, provided that

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 A 941 06a
multiple heat, ntwo or more molten primary heats, in tion, a stabilized stainless steel will resist sensitization to intergranular
whole or in part, combined in a common ladle or in a corrosion associated with the precipitation of chromium carbide at
common non-oscillating mold. grain boundaries as a result of thermal exposure, such as annealing,
stress relieving, welding, or high temperature service. Resistance to
DISCUSSIONA multiple heat is identified by a single heat number sensitization to intergranular corrosion is dependent upon the corrosiv-
representative of the multiple heat, or by the individual heat numbers ity of the environment. The condition of being stabilized with respect
of the primary heats contained in the multiple heat. The heat to sensitization is frequently demonstrated by passing one or more
analysis of a multiple heat identified by a single heat number is the standard corrosion tests for sensitization.
weighted average analysis of the individual primary heats contained in
the multiple heat. Two or more molten primary heats sequentially stainless steel, na steel that conforms to a specification that
strand cast (poured into an oscillating mold) constitute a series of requires, by mass percent, a minimum chromium content of
individual heats, not a multiple heat. 10.5 or more, and a maximum carbon content of less than
1.20.
nickel alloy, na material that conforms to a specification that
steel, na material that conforms to a specification that
requires by mass percent more nickel than any other ele-
requires, by mass percent, more iron than any other element
ment.
and a maximum carbon content of generally less than 2.
DISCUSSIONIn castings, the nickel content requirement is not
DISCUSSIONThe iron content requirement is not normally stated in
normally stated in the specification and is not normally determined by
the specification and is not normally determined by chemical analysis,
chemical analysis, but is taken to be 100 % minus the sum of the mean
but is taken to be 100 % minus the sum of the mean values permitted
values permitted by the specification for all other elements having a
by the specification for all other elements having a specified range or a
specified range or a specified maximum.
specified maximum. For conformance purposes, this calculated value
plate-as-rolled, nthe quantity of plate product rolled at one for iron is compared on an individual basis to the mean values
time, either from an individual slab or directly from an ingot. permitted by the specification for each of the other elements having a
specified range or a specified maximum. Some chromium-containing
DISCUSSIONThis term does not refer to the surface condition or the steels may contain more than 2 % carbon; however, 2 % carbon is
heat-treatment state of the material; a plate-as-rolled may be in the generally considered to be the demarcation between steel and cast iron.
as-rolled condition, or may have received one or more surface
treatments or heat treatments, or both. strain hardening, nan increase in hardness and strength of
a metal caused by plastic deformation at temperatures below
primary heat, nthe product of a single cycle of a batch its recrystallization temperature. (Syn. work hardening)
melting process. test record, na document or electronic record that contains
DISCUSSIONIn the investment casting industry, the term master heat the observations and derived data obtained by applying a
is used. given test method.
test report, na document that presents the applicable quali-
product analysis, na chemical analysis of a specimen taken
tative or quantitative results obtained by applying one or
from the semi-finished product or the finished product.
more given test methods.
remelted heat, nthe product of the remelting of a primary
heat, in whole or in part. DISCUSSIONA single document, containing test report information
and certificate of compliance information, may be used.
DISCUSSIONIn the investment casting industry, the term sub-heat is
used. unspecified element, nin steel, an element not controlled to
a specified minimum, maximum, or range, in accordance
residual element, nin steel, a specified or unspecified
with the requirements of the applicable product specifica-
element, not intentionally added, originating in the raw
tion.
materials, refractories, or surrounding atmospheres used in
steel making. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Relating to Heat Treatment of
rimmed steel, na steel that contained sufficient oxygen to Steels:
generate carbon monoxide at the boundary between the solid Accm, Ac1, Ac3, Ac4See transformation temperature.
metal and the remaining molten metal during solidification, Aecm, Ae1, Ae3, Ae4See transformation temperature.
resulting in an outer layer low in carbon. age hardening, nhardening by aging, usually after rapid
semikilled steel, nan incompletely deoxidized steel that cooling or cold working.
contained sufficient oxygen to form enough entrapped car- aging, na change in the properties of certain steels that
bon monoxide during solidification to offset solidification occurs at ambient or moderately elevated temperatures after
shrinkage. hot working or a heat treatment (quench aging, natural
specified element, nin steel, an element controlled to a aging, or artificial aging) or after a cold-working operation
specified minimum, maximum, or range, in accordance with
the requirements of the applicable product specification. (strain aging).
stabilized stainless steel, na stainless steel that conforms to
a specification that prescribes limits (minimum or range) for DISCUSSIONThe change in properties is often, but not always, due to
niobium (columbium), tantalum, titanium, or a combination precipitation hardening, but never involves a change in the chemical
thereof. composition of the steel.

DISCUSSIONSuch limits are sometimes expressed as a function of annealing, na generic term covering any of several heat
the carbon and nitrogen contents. In an appropriately annealed condi- treatments.

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DISCUSSIONThis treatment is used for purposes such as reducing carbonitriding, ncase hardening in which a suitable steel
hardness, improving machinability, facilitating cold working, produc- object is heated above Ac1 in a gaseous atmosphere of such
ing a desired microstructure, or obtaining desired mechanical, physical, composition as to cause simultaneous absorption of carbon
or other properties. Where applicable, it is preferred that the following
more specific terms be used: box annealing, bright annealing, flame
and nitrogen by the surface and, by diffusion, to create a
annealing, full annealing, graphitization annealing, intermediate concentration gradient.
annealing, isothermal annealing, process annealing, recrystalliza- carburizing, na process in which an austenitized steel object
tion annealing, spheroidizing, and subcritical annealing. The term is brought into contact with a carbonaceous environment of
annealing, without qualification, implies full annealing. Any pro- sufficient carbon potential to cause absorption of carbon at
cess of annealing will usually reduce stresses; however, if the the surface and, by diffusion, to create a concentration
treatment is applied for the sole purpose of stress reduction, it should be
gradient.
designated stress relieving.
case, nin case hardening, the outer portion that has been
Arcm, Ar1, Ar3, Ar4See transformation temperature. made harder than the core as a result of altered composition
artificial aging, naging above room temperature. or microstructure, or both, from treatments such as carbur-
austempering, nheat treatment involving quenching a izing, nitriding, and induction hardening.
steel object from a temperature above the transformation case hardening, na generic term covering any of several
range in a medium maintained at a temperature above the processes applicable to steel that change the chemical
martensite range sufficiently fast to avoid the formation of composition or microstructure, or both, of the surface layer.
high temperature transformation products, and then holding DISCUSSIONThe processes commonly used are: carburizing and
it at that temperature until transformation is complete. quench hardening; nitriding; and carbonitriding. It is preferred that
austenitizing, nforming austenite by heating a steel object the applicable specific process name be used.
above the transformation range.
baking, nheating to a low temperature in order to remove cementation, nthe introduction of one or more elements into
gases. the outer portion of a steel object by means of diffusion at
batch furnace, na heating device within which steel objects high temperature.
are held stationary or oscillated during the thermal process- cold treatment, nexposing a steel object to temperatures
ing cycle. below room temperature for the purpose of obtaining desired
blank carburizing, nsimulating the carburizing operation conditions or properties, such as dimensional or structural
without introducing carbon. stability.
conditioning heat treatment, na preliminary heat treat-
DISCUSSIONThis is usually accomplished by using an inert material
ment used to prepare a steel object for a desired reaction to
in place of the carburizing agent, or by applying a suitable protective
coating on the object being heat treated. a subsequent heat treatment.
continuous-conveyance furnace, na heating device through
blank nitriding, nsimulating the nitriding operation without which steel objects are intentionally moved at a constant rate
introducing nitrogen. during the thermal processing cycle.
DISCUSSIONThis is usually accomplished by using an inert material controlled cooling, ncooling a steel object from an elevated
in place of the nitriding agent, or by applying a suitable protective temperature in a predetermined manner to avoid hardening,
coating on the object being heat treated. cracking, or internal damage, or to produce a desired
microstructure or mechanical properties.
bluing, nsubjecting the scale-free surface of a steel object to core, nin case hardening, the interior portion of unaltered
the action of air, steam, or other agents at a suitable composition or microstructure, or both, of a case hardened
temperature, thereby forming a thin blue film of oxide and steel object.
improving the objects appearance and corrosion resistance. core, nin clad products, the central portion of a multilayer
DISCUSSIONThis term is ordinarily applied to sheet, strip, or composite metallic material.
finished parts. It is used also to denote the heating of springs after critical cooling rate, nthe slowest rate of continuous cool-
fabrication in order to improve their properties. ing at which austenite can be cooled from above the
box annealing, nannealing in a sealed container under transformation range to prevent its transformation above
conditions that minimize oxidation. M s.
cycle annealing, nannealing employing a predetermined
DISCUSSIONThe charge is usually heated slowly to a temperature and closely controlled time-temperature cycle to produce
below the transformation range, but sometimes above or within it,
specific properties or a specific microstructure.
and is then cooled slowly.
decarburization, nthe loss of carbon from the surface of a
bright annealing, nannealing in a protective medium to steel object as a result of its being heated in a medium that
prevent discoloration of the bright surface. reacts with the carbon.
carbon potential, nthe carbon content at the surface of a differential heating, nheating that intentionally produces a
specimen of pure iron in equilibrium with the carburizing temperature gradient within a steel object such that, after
medium considered, and under the conditions specified. cooling, a desired stress distribution or variation in proper-
carbon restoration, nreplacing the carbon lost from the ties is present within the object.
surface layer in previous processing by carburizing this layer diffusion coating, nany process whereby a base metal is
to substantially the original carbon level. either coated with another metal and heated to a sufficient
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 A 941 06a
temperature in a suitable environment, or exposed to a to eliminate or decrease chemical segregation by diffusion.
gaseous or liquid medium containing the other metal, hot quenching, nan imprecise term used to cover a variety
thereby causing diffusion of the coating or other metal into of quenching procedures in which the quenching medium is
the base metal, with a resultant change in the composition maintained at a prescribed temperature above 160 F or 70
and properties of its surface. C.
direct quenching, nin thermochemical processing, quench- induction hardening, nin surface hardening, a process in
ing immediately following the thermochemical treatment. which only the surface layer of a suitable steel object is
double aging, nemployment of two different aging treat- heated by electrical induction to above Ac3 or Accm, and then
ments, in sequence, to control the type of precipitate formed the object is quenched.
from a supersaturated alloy matrix in order to obtain the induction hardening, nin through hardening, a process in
desired properties. which a suitable steel object is heated by electrical induction
DISCUSSIONthe first aging treatment, sometimes referred to as to above Ac3 or Accm throughout its section, and then the
intermediate or stabilizing, is usually carried out at a higher tempera- object is quenched.
ture than the second. induction heating, nheating by electrical induction.
intermediate annealing, nannealing wrought steel objects
double tempering, na treatment in which a quench-
at one or more stages during manufacture prior to final
hardened steel object is given two complete tempering
thermal treatment.
cycles at substantially the same temperature for the purpose
interrupted aging, naging at two or more temperatures, by
of ensuring completion of the tempering reaction and pro-
steps, and cooling to room temperature after each step.
moting stability of the resultant microstructure.
interrupted quenching, nquenching in which the object
ferritizing anneal, na heat treatment that produces a
being quenched is removed from the quenching medium
predominantly ferritic matrix in a steel object.
while the object is at a temperature substantially higher than
flame annealing, nannealing in which the heat is applied
that of the quenching medium.
directly by a flame.
flame hardening, na process in which only the surface layer isothermal annealing, naustenitizing a steel object and
of a suitable steel object is heated by flame to above Ac3 or then cooling it to, and holding it at, a temperature at which
Accm, and then the object is quenched. austenite transforms to a ferrite-carbide aggregate.
fog quenching, nquenching in a mist. isothermal transformation, na change in phase at any
full annealing, nannealing a steel object by austenitizing it constant temperature.
and then cooling it slowly through the transformation Mf, MsSee transformation temperature.
range. maraging, na precipitation hardening treatment applied to a
special group of alloy steels to precipitate one or more
DISCUSSIONThe austenitizing temperature is usually above Ac3 for intermetallic compounds in a matrix of essentially carbon-
hypoeutectoid steels and between Ac1 and Accm for hypereutectoid
free martensite.
steels.
martempering, nquenching an austenitized steel object in a
grain growth, nan increase in the grain size of a steel object, medium at a temperature in the upper part of, or slightly
usually as a result of exposure to elevated temperatures. above, the martensite range, holding it in the medium until
graphitization annealing, nannealing a steel object in such its temperature is substantially uniform throughout, and then
a way that some or all of the carbon is precipitated as cooling it in air through the martensite range.
graphite. martensite range, nthe temperature interval between Ms
hardenability, nthe property that determines the depth and and Mf.
distribution of hardness induced by quenching a steel natural aging, nspontaneous aging of a super-saturated
object. solid solution at room temperature.
hardening, nincreasing the hardness by suitable treatment, nitriding, nintroducing nitrogen into a solid steel object by
usually involving heating and cooling. holding it at a suitable temperature in contact with a
DISCUSSIONWhere applicable, it is preferred that the following nitrogenous environment.
more specific terms be used: age hardening, case hardening, flame normalizing, nheating a steel object to a suitable tempera-
hardening, induction hardening, precipitation hardening, and ture above the transformation range and then cooling it in
quench hardening. air to a temperature substantially below the transformation
range.
heat treatment, nheating and cooling a steel object in such
a way as to obtain desired conditions or properties. overaging, naging under conditions of time and temperature
greater than those required to obtain maximum change in a
DISCUSSIONHeating for the sole purpose of hot working is excluded certain property, so that the property is altered away from the
from the meaning of this definition. maximum.
homogeneous carburizing, na process that converts a overheating, nheating a steel object to such a high tempera-
low-carbon steel to one of substantially uniform and higher ture that excessive grain growth occurs.
carbon content throughout the section, so that a specific DISCUSSIONUnlike burning, it may be possible to restore the
response to hardening may be obtained. original properties/microstructure by further heat treatment or mechani-
homogenizing, nholding a steel object at high temperature cal working, or a combination thereof.
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 A 941 06a
patenting, nin wire making, heating a medium-carbon or accordance with a predetermined start-stop-start pattern
high-carbon steel before wire drawing, or between drafts, to during the thermal processing cycle.
a temperature above the transformation range, and then shell hardening, na surface hardening process in which a
cooling it in air, or a bath of molten lead or salt, to a suitable steel object, when heated through and quench
temperature below Ae1. hardened, develops a martensitic layer or shell that closely
post-weld heat treatment, nheating weldments immedi- follows the contour of the piece and surrounds a core of
ately after welding, to provide tempering, stress relieving, essentially pearlitic transformation product.
or a controlled rate of cooling to prevent formation of a hard DISCUSSIONThis result is accomplished by a proper balance be-
or brittle microstructure. tween section size, hardenability, and severity of quench.
precipitation hardening, nhardening caused by the pre-
cipitation of a constituent from a supersaturated solid solu- slack quenching, nthe incomplete hardening of a steel
tion. object due to quenching from the austenitizing temperature
precipitation heat treatment, nartificial aging in which a at a rate slower than the critical cooling rate for the
constituent precipitates from a supersaturated solid solution. particular steel composition, resulting in the formation of
preheating, nfor tool steels, heating to an intermediate one or more transformation products in addition to marten-
temperature immediately before final austenitizing. site.
preheating, nheating before welding, a mechanical treat- snap temper, na precautionary interim stress-relieving treat-
ment, or some further thermal treatment. ment applied to a high-hardenability steel immediately after
process annealing, nin the sheet and wire industries, quenching to prevent cracking because of delay in temper-
heating a steel object to a temperature close to, but below, ing it at the prescribed higher temperature.
Ac1 and then cooling it, in order to soften it for further cold soaking, nprolonged holding at a selected temperature.
working. solution heat treatment, nheating a steel object to a suitable
progressive aging, naging by increasing the temperature in temperature, holding it at that temperature long enough to
steps, or continuously, during the aging cycle. cause one or more constituents to enter into solid solution,
quench aging, naging associated with quenching after and then cooling it rapidly enough to hold such constituents
solution heat treatment. in solution.
quench hardening, nhardening a steel object by austen- spheroidizing, nheating and cooling a steel object to pro-
itizing it, and then cooling it rapidly enough that some or all duce a spheroidal or globular form of carbide in its micro-
of the austenite transforms to martensite. structure.
DISCUSSIONThe austenitizing temperature is usually above Ac3 for DISCUSSIONSpheroidizing methods commonly used are the follow-
hypoeutectoid steels and between Ac1 and Accm for hypereutectoid ing: (1) prolonged holding at a temperature just below Ae1; (2) heating
steels. and cooling alternately between temperatures that are just above, and
just below, Ae1; (3) heating to a temperature above Ae1 or Ae3 and then
quenching, nrapid cooling. cooling very slowly in the furnace or holding at a temperature just
below Ae1; (4) cooling, from the minimum temperature at which all
DISCUSSIONWhere applicable, it is preferred that the following carbide is dissolved, at a rate suitable to prevent the reformation of a
more specific terms be used: fog quenching, hot quenching, inter- carbide network, and then reheating in accordance with Method (1) or
rupted quenching, selective quenching, spray quenching, and time (2) above. (Applicable to hypereutectoid steels containing a carbide
quenching. network.)
recrystallization, nthe formation of a new grain structure spray quenching, nquenching in a spray of liquid.
through a nucleation and growth process. stabilizing treatment, nany treatment intended to stabilize
DISCUSSIONThis is commonly produced by subjecting a steel the microstructure or dimensions of a steel object.
object, which may be strained, to suitable conditions of time and strain aging, naging induced by cold working.
temperature. stress relieving, nheating a steel object to a suitable tem-
perature, holding it long enough to reduce residual stresses,
recrystallization annealing, nannealing a cold-worked
and then cooling it slowly enough to minimize the develop-
steel object to produce a new grain structure without a
ment of new residual stresses.
change in phase.
subcritical annealing, nannealing at a temperature slightly
recrystallization temperature, nthe approximate minimum
below Ac1.
temperature at which recrystallization of a cold-worked steel
surface hardening, na generic term covering any of several
object occurs within a specified time.
processes that, by quench hardening only, produce in a
secondary hardening, nthe hardening phenomenon that
steel object a surface layer that is harder or more wear
occurs during high-temperature tempering of certain steels
resistant than the core.
containing one or more carbide-forming alloying elements.
selective heating, nintentionally heating only certain por- DISCUSSIONThere is no significant alteration of the chemical
tions of a steel object. composition of the surface layer. Where applicable, it is preferred that
selective quenching, nquenching only certain portions of a the following more specific terms be used: induction hardening, flame
hardening, and shell hardening.
steel object.
semicontinuous-conveyance furnace, na heating device temper brittleness, nbrittleness that results when certain
through which steel objects are intentionally moved in steels are held within, or are cooled slowly through, a certain

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 A 941 06a
range of temperature below the transformation range. Ac1the temperature at which austenite begins to form
tempering, nreheating a quench hardened or normalized during heating.
steel object to a temperature below Ac1, and then cooling it Ac3the temperature at which transformation of ferrite to
at any desired rate. austenite is completed during heating.
thermochemical treatment, na heat treatment carried out Ac4the temperature at which austenite transforms to delta
in a medium suitably chosen to produce a change in the ferrite during heating.
chemical composition of the steel object by exchange with Ae1, Ae3, Aecm, Ae4the temperatures of phase change at
the medium. equilibrium.
time quenching, ninterrupted quenching in which the Arcmthe temperature at which precipitation of cementite
duration of holding in the quenching medium is controlled. starts during cooling.
transformation ranges, nthose ranges of temperature Ar1the temperature at which transformation of austenite to
within which austenite forms during heating and transforms ferrite or to ferrite plus cementite is completed during cooling.
during cooling. Ar3the temperature at which austenite begins to transform
DISCUSSIONThe two ranges are distinct, sometimes overlapping but to ferrite during cooling.
never coinciding. The limiting temperatures of the ranges are depen- Ar4the temperature at which delta ferrite transforms to
dent upon the steel composition and the rate of change of temperature, austenite during cooling.
particularly during cooling. Mfthe temperature at which transformation of austenite to
transformation temperature, nthe temperature at which a martensite is substantially completed during cooling.
change in phase occurs, with the limiting temperatures of the Msthe temperature at which transformation of austenite to
transformation ranges designated using the following sym- martensite starts during cooling.
bols: DISCUSSIONAll of the above changes, except the formation of
Accmthe temperature at which the solution of cementite in martensite, occur at lower temperatures during cooling than during
austenite is completed during heating. heating, and are dependent upon the rate of change of temperature.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this terminology since the last issue,
A 941 06, that may impact the use of this terminology. (Approved June 15, 2006)
--`,,```,``,,`,,,`,,,````,,``,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

(1) Added a definition for nickel alloy in 3.1.

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this terminology since the last issue,
A 941 04a, that may impact the use of this terminology. (Approved March 15, 2006)

(1) Added a definition for document in 3.1.

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