ASTM_A_3_-_01_2012.pdf

Designation:A301(Reapproved 2012)Standard Specification forSteel Joint Bars,Low,Medium,and High Carbon(Non-Heat-Treated)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation A3;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()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.Scope1.1 This specification covers steel joint bars for connectingsteel rails in mine,industrial,and standard railroad track.1.2 Three grades of joint bars are defined for applicationswhere non-heat treated bars are suitable:1.2.1 Grade 1,low-carbon,primarily for industrial and mineuse.1.2.2 Grade 2,medium-carbon,primarily for industrial andmine use.1.2.3 Grade 3,high-carbon,for general use in standardrailroad track.They may be used in the production of insulatedtrack joints.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testingof Steel ProductsA700 Practices for Packaging,Marking,and Loading Meth-ods for Steel Products for Shipment3.Ordering Information3.1 Orders for joint bars under this specification shallinclude the following information as appropriate:3.1.1 Quantitynumber of pairs of bars,3.1.2 Typedesign or type bar along with section designa-tion and weight of rails being joined,3.1.3 Gradein accordance with 1.2 and Table 1 and Table2,3.1.4 Dimensionoverall length,3.1.5 Punchingtype(elliptical,oval,round,or combina-tions),size,number,location,spacing,and elevation ofpunched holes,with dimensional drawing if necessary,3.1.6 Special Requirementsnotching,shearing,bundling,etc.,including details,and3.1.7 Certification and Test Report Requirements(Section11).4.Manufacture4.1 The steel shall be made by one or both of the followingprocesses:basic-oxygen or electric-furnace.4.1.1 The steel may be cast by a continuous process,or iningots.4.2 Grade 2,medium-carbon,joint bars may be punched,slotted,and shaped in the case of special designs,either hot orcold.Joint bars that are punched,slotted,or shaped cold shallbe subsequently annealed.4.3 Grade 3,high-carbon,joint bars shall be uniformlyheated for punching,slotting,and shaping.5.Chemical Requirements5.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as tochemical composition prescribed in Table 1.5.2 Heat or Cast AnalysisAn analysis of each heat or castshall be made by the manufacturer to determine the percent-ages of carbon,manganese,phosphorus,and sulfur.Theanalysis shall be made from a test sample taken preferablyduring the pouring of the heat or cast.The chemical composi-tion thus determined shall conform to the requirement in Table1.Manganese and sulfur determinations are for informationonly.5.3 Product AnalysisWhen ladle tests are not available,finished material representing the heat may be product tested.The product analysis allowance beyond the limits of thespecified ladle analysis shall be within the limits for productanalyses specified in Table 2.1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeA01.01 on Steel Rails and Accessories.Current edition approved March 1,2012.Published March 2012.Originallyapproved in 1901.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as A3 01(2006).DOI:10.1520/A0003-01R12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1Copyright by ASTM Intl(all rights reserved);5.3.1 An analysis may be made by the purchaser from asample taken from a finished joint bar representing each heat orcast.The chemical composition thus determined shall conformto the requirements in Table 1.6.Tensile Requirements6.1 PropertiesThe material as represented by a tensiontest specimen shall conform to the tensile properties prescribedin Table 3.6.2 Test SpecimenThe tension test specimen shall be takenfrom the middle of the head at the center of a finished joint bar.The specimen shall be machined to the form and dimensionsfor a standard round tension test specimen with 2-in.or(50-mm)gage length,as described in Test Methods andDefinitions A370.6.3 Number of TestsOne tension test shall be made fromeach heat or cast of steel.6.4 RetestsIf the results of the tension test fail to meet therequirements specified,a retest shall be permitted on tworandom specimens from the lot.Both