ASTM_A_604_-_A_604M_-_07_2017.pdf

Designation:A604/A604M07(Reapproved 2017)Standard Practice forMacroetch Testing of Consumable Electrode Remelted SteelBars and Billets1This standard is issued under the fixed designation A604/A604M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof 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.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 This practice2covers testing and inspection and isapplicable to bars,billets,and blooms of carbon,alloy,andstainless steel which have been consumable electrode remelted.1.2 For the purpose of this practice,the consumable elec-trode remelting process is defined as a steel refining methodwherein single or multiple electrodes are remelted into acrucible producing an ingot which is superior to the originalelectrode by virtue of improved cleanliness or lower gascontent or reduced chemical or nonmetallic segregation.SeeAppendix X1 and Appendix X2 for descriptions of applicableremelting processes.1.3 This practice and the accompanying comparison mac-rographs3are generally applicable to steel bar and billet sizesup to 225 in.21450 cm2 in transverse cross section.1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standard:4E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars,Billets,Blooms,and Forgings2.2 ASTM Adjunct:3Adjunct to A604/A604M Practice for Macroetch Testing ofConsumable Electrode Remelted Steel Bars and Billets3.Description of Macroetch Testing3.1 This practice employs the action of an acid or othercorrosive agent to develop the characteristics of a suitablyprepared specimen.After etching,the sections are comparedvisually,or at a very low magnification,if necessary forclarification of conditions,to standard plates describing thevarious conditions which may be found.Materials react differ-ently to etching reagents because of variations in chemicalcomposition,method of manufacture,heat treatment,and manyother variables.4.Significance and Use4.1 Macroetch testing,as described herein,is a method forexamining and rating transverse sections of bars and billets todescribe certain conditions of macro segregation which areoften characteristic of consumable electrode remelted materi-als.4.2 This practice is not intended to define major defectssuch as those described by Method E381.5.Application5.1 When material is furnished subject to macroetch testingand inspection under this practice,the manufacturer andpurchaser should be in agreement concerning the following:5.1.1 The stage of manufacture at which the test shall beconducted,5.1.2 The number and location of the sections to be tested,1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeA01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets.Current edition approved March 15,2017.Published March 2017.Originallyapproved in 1970.Last previous edition approved in 2012 as A604/A604M 07(2012).DOI:10.1520/A0604_A0604M-07R17.2ASTM Committee A01 gratefully acknowledges the help of the AISI Commit-tee on General Metallurgy in preparing the appendix,assembling the macroetchphotographs,and assisting with the text of this practice.3A complete set of the 20 macrographs on glossy paper available from ASTMInternational Headquarters.Order Adjunct No.ADJA0604.Original adjunct pro-duced in 1985.4For 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 StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 5.1.3 The condition and preparation of the surface to bemacroetched,5.1.4 The etching reagent,temperature and time of etching,or degree of etching including any special techniques whichmust be used,and5.1.5 The type and degree of cond