Designation: A 230/A 230M – 05

Standard Specification for

Steel Wire, Oil-Tempered Carbon Valve Spring Quality1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 230/A 230M; 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* Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
1.1 This specification covers the highest quality of round 2.5 AIAG Standard:5
carbon steel spring wire, uniform in quality and temper, AIAG B-5 02.00 Primary Metals Identification Tag Appli-
intended especially for the manufacture of valve springs and cation Standard
other springs requiring high-fatigue properties. 3. Ordering Information
1.2 The values stated in either SI (metric) units or inch-
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The 3.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; there- form to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
fore, each system must be used independent of the other. either Specification A 510 or Specification A 510M.
3.2 Orders for material under this specification should
2. Referenced Documents include the following information for each ordered item:
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 3.2.1 Quantity (mass or weight),
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 3.2.2 Name of material (oil-tempered carbon steel valve
of Steel Products spring quality wire),
A 510 Specification for General Requirements for Wire 3.2.3 Dimensions (Section 8),
Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel 3.2.4 Chemical composition (Table 1), if required,
A 510M Specification for General Requirements for Wire 3.2.5 Packaging (Section 14),
Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel [Metric] 3.2.6 Cast or heat analysis report, if desired (see 5.2),
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading 3.2.7 Certification or test report, or both, if specified (Sec-
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment tion 13), and
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for 3.2.8 ASTM designation and date of issue.
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products NOTE 1—A typical metric ordering description is as follows: 20 000 kg
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to oil-tempered carbon steel valve spring quality wire, 6.00 mm diameter in
Determine Conformance with Specifications 125-kg coils to ASTM A 230M dated _____, or for inch-pound units,
2.2 ANSI Standard:3 40 000 lb oil-tempered carbon steel valve spring quality wire, 0.250 in.
B 32.4M Preferred Metric Sizes for Round, Square, Rect- diameter in 350-lb coils to ASTM A 230 dated _____.
angle, and Hexagon Metal Products 4. Materials and Manufacture
2.3 Military Standard:4
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship- 4.1 The steel may be made by any commercially accepted
ment and Storage steel-making process. The steel shall be continuously cast.
2.4 Federal Standard:4 4.2 The finished wire shall be free of detrimental pipe and
undue segregation.
4.3 The wire shall be hardened and tempered to produce the
1 desired mechanical properties.
This specification 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. 5. Chemical Composition
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published March 2005. Originally 5.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements for chemical
approved in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as A 230/A 230M – 99.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
composition prescribed in Table 1.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 5.2 Cast or Heat Analysis—Each cast or heat of steel shall
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on be analyzed by the manufacturer to determine the percentage of
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
4 5
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Available from Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), 26200 Lahser Rd.,
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098 Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48034.

*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 230/A 230M – 05
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements 6.1.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for
each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each cast or heat in
Element Composition, %
a given lot shall be tested.
Carbon 0.60–0.75A
Manganese 0.60–0.90A
6.1.3 Location of Tests—Test specimens shall be taken from
Phosphorus, max 0.025 either end of the coil.
Sulfur, max 0.030 6.1.4 Test Method—The tension test shall be made in
Silicon 0.15–0.35
accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
A
Carbon and manganese may be varied by the manufacturer at his discretion,
provided the mechanical properties specified are maintained and provided the
6.2 Wrap Test:
purchaser does not specifically stipulate otherwise. 6.2.1 Requirements—Wire 4.00 mm or 0.162 in. and
smaller in diameter shall wind on itself as an arbor without
breakage. Larger diameter wire, up to and including 6.50 mm
elements prescribed in Table 1. This analysis shall be made or 0.250 in., shall wind, without breakage, on a mandrel twice
from a test specimen preferably taken during the pouring of the the diameter of the wire.
cast or heat. When requested, this shall be reported to the 6.2.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for
purchaser and shall conform to the requirements of Table 1. each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot. Each cast or heat in
5.3 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the a given lot shall be tested.
purchaser from finished wire representing each cast or heat of 6.2.3 Location of Test—Test specimens shall be taken from
either end of the coil.
steel. The chemical composition thus determined, as to ele-
6.2.4 Test Method—The wrap test shall be made in accor-
ments required or restricted, shall conform to the product
dance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370, Supplement
analysis requirements specified in Table 10 of Specification
IV.
A 510 or Specification A 510M.
6.3 Twist Test—A 250 mm (10 in.) specimen of wire slowly
5.4 For referee purposes, Test Methods, Practices, and twisted four revolutions in one direction and then twisted in the
Terminology A 751 shall be used. other direction until failure shall show a square break normal to
the axis of the wire without splits or cracks.
6. Mechanical Properties 6.4 Special Surface Inspection—When specified, the entire
6.1 Tension Test: length of every coil shall be inspected for surface imperfections
with a magnetic or eddy current defect analyzer, or both, or
6.1.1 Requirements—The material as represented by tension
equivalent. The defect depth of this surface inspection shall be
test specimens shall conform to the requirements prescribed in
agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser. All
Table 2 or Table 3.
detected defects shall be properly marked so the purchaser has
the ability to identify and discard that length of wire.
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements, SI Units
7. Metallurgical Properties
Diameter, mm Tensile Strength, MPa Reduction of 7.1 Decarburization:
Areas, min, %A
min max 7.1.1 Requirements—Transverse sections of the wire prop-
Less than 1.50 1700 1850 ... erly mounted, polished and etched shall show no completely
1.50 to 2.50, incl 1650 1800 ... decarburized (carbon free) areas when examined at 1003
Over 2.50 to 3.50, incl 1600 1750 40
Over 3.50 to 4.00, incl 1580 1720 40
magnification. Partial decarburization shall not exceed a depth
Over 4.00 to 4.80, incl 1550 1700 40 of 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) on wire 4.90 mm (0.192 in.) and
Over 4.80 to 5.50, incl 1520 1680 40 smaller or 0.038 mm (0.0015 in.) on wire larger than 4.90 mm
Over 5.50 to 6.50, incl 1500 1650 40
Over 6.50 1450 1600 40
(0.192 in.). Measure the worst area present excluding decar-
A
burization associated with seams or other surface imperfec-
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire diameters under 2.34 mm.
TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements, Inch-Pound Units
tions. Complete decarburization exists when only free ferrite is
present. Partial decarburization exists when ferrite is found
Tensile Strength, ksi Reduction of
Diameter, in. mixed with pearlite or tempered martensite. Structures of
min max Area, min, %A
100 % tempered martensite shall be defined as not decarbur-
Less than 0.062 245 265 ... ized.
0.062 to 0.092, incl 240 260 ...
Over 0.092 to 0.128, incl 235 255 40 7.1.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen shall be taken for
Over 0.128 to 0.162, incl 230 250 40 each five coils, or fraction thereof, in a lot.
Over 0.162 to 0.192, incl 225 245 40 7.1.3 Location of Tests—Test specimens may be taken from
Over 0.192 to 0.225, incl 220 240 40
Over 0.225 to 0.250, incl 215 235 40 either end of the coil.
Over 0.250 210 230 40 7.2 Surface Condition:
A
The reduction of area test is not applicable to wire diameters under 0.092 in. 7.2.1 The surface shall be smooth and free of defects such as
seams, pits, die marks, and other defects tending to impair the

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 A 230/A 230M – 05
fatigue value of the springs. Any additional surface require- TABLE 5 Permissible Variations in Wire Diameter, Inch-Pound
ments must be negotiated at the time of entry of the order. UnitsA

7.2.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen from each end of Permissible Variations, Permissible Out-of-
Diameter, in.
every coil shall be tested for conformance to the provisions plus and minus, in. Round, in.
of7.2.1. Less than 0.062 0.0005 0.0005
7.2.3 Test Method—The surface shall be examined after 0.062 to 0.092, incl 0.0008 0.0008
Over 0.092 to 0.148, incl 0.001 0.001
etching in a solution of equal parts of hydrochloric acid and Over 0.148 to 0.177, incl 0.0015 0.0015
water that has been heated to approximately 80°C for up to 2 Over 0.177 0.002 0.002
min in order to remove the oxide scale layer from the wire A
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified
surface. Examination shall be made using 103 magnification. limits are absolute as defined in Practice E 29.

7.3 Microstructure—A longitudinal section shall show a

fine homogeneous tempered martensitic structure. 12. Rejection and Rehearing
12.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations made in accordance with this specification shall be reported to
8.1 The permissible variations in the diameter of the wire the manufacturer as soon as possible so that an investigation
shall be as specified in Table 4 or Table 5. may be initiated.
8.2 Number of Tests—One test specimen from each end of 12.2 The material must be adequately protected and cor-
the coil shall be tested for conformance (see 8.1). rectly identified in order that the manufacturer may make a
proper investigation.
9. Workmanship and Appearance
13. Certification
9.1 The wire shall be uniform in quality and temper and
13.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a
shall not be wavy or crooked.
manufacturer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to
9.2 Each coil shall be one continuous length of wire, the purchaser that the material was manufactured, sampled,
properly coiled, and firmly tied. tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and
9.3 No welds are permitted in the finished product and any has been found to meet the requirements. When specified in the
welds made during processing must be removed. purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall be
furnished.
10. Retests 13.2 The certification shall include the specification num-
10.1 If any test specimen exhibits obvious defects or shows ber, year date of issue, and revision letter, if any.
the presence of a weld, it may be discarded and another
14. Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment
specimen substituted.
14.1 The coil mass, dimensions, and the method of packag-
11. Inspection ing shall be as agreed upon between the manufacturer and
purchaser.
11.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase 14.2 The size of the wire, purchaser’s order number, ASTM
order, the manufacturer is responsible for the performance of specification number, heat number, and name or mark of the
all inspection and test requirements specified in this specifica- manufacturer shall be marked on a tag securely attached to
tion. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase each coil of wire.
order, the manufacturer may use his own or any other suitable 14.3 Unless otherwise specified in the purchaser’s order,
facilities for the performance of the inspection and test packaging, marking, and loading for shipments shall be in
requirements unless disapproved by the purchaser at the time accordance with those procedures recommended by Practices
the order is placed. The purchaser shall have the right to A 700.
perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in this 14.4 For Government Procurement—Packaging, packing,
specification when such inspections and tests are deemed and marking of material for military procurement shall be in
necessary to assure that the material conforms to prescribed accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-163, Level A,
requirements. Level C, or commercial as specified in the contract or purchase
order. Marking for shipment of material for civil agencies shall
be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123.
TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Wire Diameter, SI UnitsA 14.5 Bar Coding—In addition to the previously-stated iden-
Permissible Variations, Permissible Out-of
tification requirements, bar coding is acceptable as a supple-
Diameter, mm mentary identification method. Bar coding should be consistent
plus and minus, mm Round, mm
Less than 1.50 0.01 0.01 with AIAG B-5 02.00, Primary Metals Identification Tag
1.50 to 2.50, incl 0.02 0.02 Application. The bar code may be applied to a substantially
Over 2.50 to 3.50, incl 0.03 0.03 affixed tag.
3.50 to 4.50, incl 0.04 0.04
Over 4.50 0.05 0.05
A
15. Keywords
For purposes of determining conformance with this specification, all specified
limits are absolute as defined in Practice E 29. 15.1 carbon; oil-tempered; valve spring; wire

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 A 230/A 230M – 05

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue,
A 230/A 230M – 99, that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved March 1, 2005.)

(1) Removed the ingot cast steel and added continuous cast in (3) Changed the length of time for sample preparation from
4.1. 1 % to removal of the oxide layer in 7.2.3.
(2) Removed engine valve spring manufacturer and added (4) Eliminated Table 6.
statements regarding defect depth and identification in 6.4. (5) Added Summary of Changes section.

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