Designation: B 958 – 08

Standard Specification for

Extra-High-Strength and Ultra-High-Strength Class A
Zinc–5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Core
Wire for Use in Overhead Electrical Conductors1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 958; 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.

1. Scope E 1277 Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Zinc-5 %

1.1 This specification covers round, extra-high-strength, and Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloys by ICP Emission Spectrom-
ultra-high-strength, Class A coated zinc–5 % aluminum- etry
mischmetal (Zn–5Al–MM) alloy-coated, steel core wire for E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
use in Overhead Electrical Conductors. Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.2 This specification covers wire of diameter from 0.0500 2.2 Other Standard:
to 0.1900 in. inclusive or 1.27 to 4.82 mm inclusive . GF-1 Standard Practice for Determination of Cerium and
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Lanthanum Compositions in Galfan Alloy (5 % Al-0.04 %
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in La- 0.04 % Ce-Bal SHG Zn)3
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each 3. Terminology
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 3.1 Abbreviations:
with the standard. 3.1.1 MM—mischmetal
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.2 Zn–5Al–MM—zinc–5% aluminum mischmetal alloy
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.3 Lot, n—Unless otherwise specified in the contract or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- order, a lot shall consist of all coils of wire of the same
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. diameter and unit lengths submitted for inspection at the same
time.
2. Referenced Documents 3.4 Product Code, n—Defines product coating type, coating
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 class, and strength grade.
A 90/A 90M Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on •Extra High Strength Grade Zn–5Al–MM, Class A Coated,
Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings use Code MA4.
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing •Ultra High Strength Grade Zn–5Al–MM, Class A Coated,
of Steel Products use Code MA5.
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
4. Ordering Information
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
B 193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor 4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
Materials the following information:
B 750 Specification for GALFAN (Zinc-5 % Aluminum- 4.1.1 Quantity of each size,
Mischmetal) Alloy in Ingot Form for Hot-Dip Coatings 4.1.2 Wire diameter in inches or millimeter (Section 13),
4.1.3 Certification, if required (Section 18),
4.1.4 Test report, if required (Section 18), and
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on 4.1.5 Package Size (Section 19).
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.05 on
Conductors of Ferrous Metals.
4.1.6 Product Code
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published December 2008.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO),
the ASTM website. 1822 NC Highway 54 East, Suite 120, Durham NC 27713, http://www.ilzro.org.

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 B 958 – 08
5. Materials and Manufacture TABLE 2 Grade 4 Extra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
5.1 The base metal shall be steel produced by the open- Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
in. at 1% Extension, Tensile Strength, in 10 in.,
hearth, electric furnace, or basic oxygen process. min, kpsi min, kpsi min %
5.2 The wire shall be cold drawn and coated with 0.0500 to 0.0899, incl 225 265 3.0
Zn–5Al–MM alloy to produce the desired properties. 0.0900 to 0.1199, incl 220 260 3.0
0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 215 255 3.5
6. Chemical Composition 0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 210 250 3.5

6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements prescribed

in Table 1. TABLE 3 Grade 4 Extra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
6.2 Chemical analysis of the steel shall be conducted in (Metric)
accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
A 751. mm at 1% Extension, Tensile Strength, in 250 mm,
6.3 The ingot form of zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy min, MPa min, MPa min %

shall conform to Specification B 750. 1.27 to 2.28, incl 1550 1825 3.0
2.29 to 3.04, incl 1515 1790 3.0
6.3.1 For a two-step coating operation where the first 3.05 to 3.55, incl 1480 1760 3.5
coating is zinc (hot-dip galvanized or electro-galvanized), the 3.56 to 4.82, incl 1450 1725 3.5
final bath may have an aluminum content of up to 7.2 %, to
prevent depletion of the aluminum content of the bath.
6.3.2 Method of Coating Material Analysis—Refer to TABLE 4 Grade 5 Ultra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
Specification B 750. Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
in. at 1% Extension, Tensile Strength, in 10 in.,
7. Tensile Test min, kpsi min, kpsi min %
0.0500 to 0.0899, incl 230 285 3.0
7.1 The Zn–5Al–MM-coated steel core wire shall conform 0.0900 to 0.1199, incl 225 275 3.0
to the tensile and elongation requirements prescribed in Table 0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 220 270 3.5
2, Table 3, Table 4, or Table 5 depending on which strength 0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 215 265 3.5
grade and unit base ordered.
7.2 Tensile tests shall be conducted in accordance with Test
TABLE 5 Grade 5 Ultra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
Methods and Definitions A 370, using the initial settings for
(Metric)
determining stress at 1 % extension given in Table 6 or Table
Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
7 of this specification. mm at 1% Extension, Tensile Strength, in 250 mm,
7.3 Test Specimens— The test specimens shall be free of min, MPa min, MPa min %
bends or kinks other than the curvature resulting from the usual 1.27 to 2.28, incl 1580 1965 3.0
coiling operations. Any hand straightening necessary to permit 2.29 to 3.04, incl 1550 1900 3.0
3.05 to 3.55, incl 1515 1860 3.5
insertion of the specimen in the jaws of the testing machine 3.56 to 4.82, incl 1480 1825 3.5
shall be performed by drawing between wood blocks or by
some other equally satisfactory means.
7.4 The nominal diameter requested shall be used to deter- TABLE 6 Initial Settings for Determining Stress at 1% Extension
mine the applicable strength specification from the tables. Specified Diameter, Initial Stress, Initial Setting
in. kpsi of Extensometer,
8. Wrap Test in./in.

8.1 The material, as represented by the test specimens, shall 0.0500 to 0.0899, incl 18 0.0005 (0.05 % extension)
0.0900 to 0.1199, incl 36 0.0010 (0.10 % extension)
not fracture when the Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated wire is 0.1200 to 0.1900, incl 54 0.0015 (0.15 % extension)
wrapped at a rate not exceeding 15 turns/min in a close helix
of at least eight turns around a cylindrical mandrel with a
diameter equal to four times the specified diameter of the wire
under test, 6 5 %. 9.2 The coating test shall be conducted in accordance with
Test Method A 90/A 90M.
9. Coating Test
9.1 The Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated wire shall conform to the 10. Adherence of Coating Test
coating requirements prescribed in Table 8 or Table 9. 10.1 The Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated wire shall be capable of
being wrapped in a close helix at a rate not exceeding 15
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements turns/min around a cylindrical mandrel having a diameter as
Element Composition, %
prescribed in Table 10 or Table 11, without cracking or flaking
the coating to such an extent that any Zn–5Al–MM alloy can
Carbon 0.50 to 1.00
Manganese 0.40 to 1.30 be removed by rubbing with the bare fingers.
Phosphorus, max 0.035
Sulfur, max 0.045 11. Joints
Silicon 0.15 to 0.60
11.1 No joints shall be made in the finished wire.

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 B 958 – 08
TABLE 7 Initial Settings for Determining Stress at 1% Extension 11.4 A welded section shall not be required to meet the
(Metric) stress at 1 % extension, elongation, and wrap tests.
Specified Diameter, Initial Stress, Initial Setting
mm MPa of Extensometer,
mm/mm
12. Density and Resistivity
1.27 to 2.28, incl 125 0.0005 (0.05 % extension) 12.1 For the purpose of calculating mass per unit length,
2.29 to 3.04, incl 250 0.0010 (0.10 % extension) cross sections, and so forth, the density of Zn–5Al–MM
3.05 to 4.82, incl 375 0.0015 (0.15 % extension) alloy-coated steel wire at 20°C shall be taken as 0.281
lb/in.3(7780 kg/m3).
12.2 A maximum resistivity of Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated
TABLE 8 Zn-5Al–MM Alloy Coating
steel wire is not guaranteed but a typical value of 0.19157
Specified Diameter
of Coated Wire, in.
Area Density
of Zn–5Al–MM Alloy Coating
Vmm2/m may be used for calculating purposes. For conversion
min of Uncoated Wire Surface, to other units of conductivity or resistivity, refer to Test Method
oz/ft2 B 193.
0.0500 to 0.0599, incl 0.60
0.0600 to 0.0749, incl 0.65 13. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
0.0750 to 0.0899, incl 0.70
0.0900 to 0.1039, incl 0.75 13.1 The specified diameter of the Zn–5Al–MM alloy-
0.1040 to 0.1199, incl 0.80 coated wire from Section 4 shall be expressed in decimal
0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 0.85
0.1400 to 0.1799, incl 0.90
fractions of an inch to four decimal places, or in millimeters to
0.1800 to 0.1900, incl 1.00 two decimal places.
13.2 To determine the applicable tolerance range from Table
12 or Table 13, round the specified diameter to the nearest
TABLE 9 Zn–5Al–MM Alloy Coating (Metric) 0.001 in. (0.01 mm) in accordance with the rounding method of
Specified Diameter Area Density Practice E 29.
of Coated Wire, mm of Zn–5Al–MM Alloy Coating 13.3 Measure the largest and smallest diameter taken at the
min of Uncoated Wire Surface,
g/m2 same cross section rounded to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.01 mm)
1.27 to 1.52, incl 183
in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E 29.
1.53 to 1.90, incl 198 Calculate the average of the two measurements. The calculated
1.91 to 2.28, incl 214 value shall not differ from the specified diameter by more than
2.29 to 2.64, incl 229
2.65 to 3.04, incl 244
the applicable tolerance range shown in Table 12 or Table 13.
3.05 to 3.55, incl 259
3.56 to 4.57, incl 274 14. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
4.58 to 4.82, incl 305
14.1 The Zn–5Al–MM alloy coating shall be reasonably
smooth, continuous, of reasonably uniform thickness and free
TABLE 10 Mandrel Size for Adherence Test of imperfections not consistent with good commercial practice.
NOTE 1—Loosening or detachment during the adhesion test of super- 15. Number of Tests and Retests
ficial, small particles of Zn–5Al–MM alloy formed by mechanical
polishing of the surface of the coated wire shall not be considered cause 15.1 One test specimen shall be taken from each 5000 lb
for rejection. (2500 kg) or fraction thereof in the inspection lot.
Specified Wire Diameter, Ratio of Mandrel Diameter 15.2 Each specimen shall be tested for compliance with
in. to Wire Diameter Sections 7, 8, 10, and 13. At least half of the specimens shall
0.0500 to 0.1399, incl 4 be tested for compliance with Section 9.
0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 5

TABLE 12 Permissible Variations in Diameter of Zn–5Al–MM

TABLE 11 Mandrel Size for Adherence Test (Metric) Alloy-Coated Steel Wire
Specified Wire Diameter, Ratio of Mandrel Diameter NOTE 1—It is recognized that the surface of coatings, particularly those
mm to Wire Diameter produced by the hot-dip method of coating, are not perfectly smooth and
1.27 to 3.55, incl 4 devoid of irregularities. If the tolerances shown in the table are rigidly
3.56 to 4.82, incl 5 applied to such irregularities that are inherent to the product, unjustified
rejections of wire that would actually be satisfactory for use could occur.
It is intended that these tolerances be used in gaging the wires where there
11.2 Joints may be made at any stage of processing prior to is a minimum of such diameter irregularities due to hot dip coating.
final cold drawing by the electric butt-weld or flash-welding Specified Diameter, Permissible Variation,
process. in. in.

11.3 Welding equipment and procedure shall be such that it Plus Minus
can be demonstrated that the ultimate tensile strength of a 0.0500 to 0.0749, incl 0.0015 0.001
finished wire specimen containing the welded section shall be 0.0750 to 0.1199, incl 0.002 0.002
0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 0.003 0.002
not less than 96 % of the specified minimum stress at 1 % 0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 0.004 0.003
extension.

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 B 958 – 08
TABLE 13 Permissible Variations in Diameter of Zn–5Al–MM satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
Alloy-Coated Steel Wire (Metric) with this specification.
NOTE 1—It is recognized that the surface of coatings, particularly those
produced by the hot-dip method of coating, are not perfectly smooth and 17. Rejection and Rehearing
devoid of irregularities. If the tolerances shown in the table are rigidly 17.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
applied to such irregularities that are inherent to the product, unjustified
rejections of wire that would actually be satisfactory for use could occur.
this specification shall be rejected. Rejection should be re-
It is intended that these tolerances be used in gaging the wires where there ported to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In
is a minimum of such diameter irregularities due to hot dip coating. case of dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer
Specified Diameter, Permissible Variation, or supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
mm mm
Plus Minus 18. Certification
1.27 to 2.28, incl 0.038 0.025 18.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a
2.29 to 3.04, incl 0.051 0.051 producer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to the
3.05 to 3.55, incl 0.076 0.051
3.56 to 4.82, incl 0.102 0.076
purchaser showing that the material was manufactured,
sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with this speci-
fication and has been found to meet the requirements. When
15.3 Should one or more of the test specimens fail any of specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test
the tests specified, the nonconforming coil or coils may be results shall be furnished.
removed and the balance of the lot subjected to retests. For
19. Package and Package Marking
retest purposes, two additional coils for each 5000 lb (2500 kg)
in the lot shall be sampled and tested for the property in which 19.1 The unit lengths shall be as specified in the contract or
the original sample failed to comply. order. Length tolerances shall be 6 2 %, unless otherwise
15.4 Should any of the retest specimens fail to meet the specified by the purchaser. (See Explanatory Note 1.)
properties specified, the lot represented by the test specimens 19.2 Package dimensions, kind of package (coils, reels, or
shall be rejected. reel-less coils), and quantity of wire in each package shall be
15.5 Instead of rejecting the entire lot as provided in agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser.
Paragraph 15.4, the producer may test specimens from every 19.3 A durable tag shall be securely attached to each
coil in the lot for the property in which failure occurred and package showing the nominal wire diameter, length, approxi-
reject only the nonconforming coils. mate weight, purchaser’s order number, and manufacturer’s
name.
16. Inspection 19.4 The starting end shall be identified.
16.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase 19.5 In case there is more than one piece in a package, the
order, the manufacturer shall be responsible for the perfor- length and position of each piece shall be shown on the tag.
mance of all inspection and test requirements specified.
16.2 All inspections and tests shall be made at the place of 20. Keywords
manufacture unless otherwise especially agreed to by the 20.1 coated steel wire; extra high strength steel wire (Grade
manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of the purchase. 4); ultra high strength steel wire (Grade 5); MA4; MA5; steel
16.3 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector represent- core wire; steel wire; zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal alloy-
ing the purchaser all reasonable manufacturer’s facilities to coated steel wire

EXPLANATORY NOTES

NOTE 1—Steel wire cannot be produced to exact specified lengths. purchase, have an agreed upon method to permit the acceptance of odd
Since welding of steel wires for use in electrical conductors is not lengths of steel wire. A typical agreement would be to permit lengths other
accepted, the random lengths of wire that result from normal production than the specified length for up to 5 % of the purchased quantity with any
can result in otherwise good product being rejected and scrapped. In order single piece being not less than 50 % of the specified length.
to reduce cost, the purchaser and manufacturer should, at the time of

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 B 958 – 08

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