M 255 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
Standard Specification for
Steel Bars, Carbon, Hot-Wrought,. Special Quality, Mechanical Properties
AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 255/M 255M-92
(ASTM DESIGNATION: A 675/A 675M-90a)
1. SCOPE 3. TERMINOLOGY 6. MATERIALS AND MANUFAC-
TURE
1.1 This specification covers hotwrought 3.1 Description of Terms:
special quality carbon steel bars and bar 3.1.1 Special Quality-Special quality 6.1 Melting Practice-The steel shall be
size shapes produced to mechanical bars are used when end use, method of made by one or more of the following
property requirements and intended for fabrication, or subsequent processing primary processes: openhearth, basic
general constructional applications. treatment requires quality characteristics oxygen, or electric furnace. The primary
1.2 The bars are available in nine not available in merchant quality. Typical melting may incorporate separate de-
strength grades designated 45, 50, 55. 60, applications involve bending or machin- gassing or refining and may be followed
65, 70, 75, 80, and 90 [310, 345, 380, ing for general constructional uses. Some by secondary melting using electroslag
415, 450, 485, 515, 550, and 620] corre- end uses or fabricating procedures can remelting or vacuum-arc remelting.
sponding to the minimum ultimate tensile necessitate one or more requirements Where secondary melting is employed,
strength in ksi [MPa]. The chemical which are described in the Supplemen- the heat shall be defined as all of the
composition is selected by the manufac- tary Requirements. ingots remelted from a single primary
turer to develop the required mechanical heat.
properties. 6.2 Deoxidation:
4. ORDERING INFORMATION
1.3 Hot-wrought special quality carbon 6.2.1 Unless otherwise specified, the
steel bars subject to mechanical property steel shall be rimmed, capped, semikilled,
requirements are hot wrought in straight 4.1 Orders for material under this speci- or killed at the producer's option.
lengths only. Sections and sizes available fication shall include the following in- 6.2.2 When required, the purchaser
are covered in ASTM A 29/A 29M. formation: may specify the required deoxidation
1.4 Some applications may require one or 4.1.1 Quantity (weight or number of practice, dependent upon strength grade
more of the available designations shown pieces), specified, purchaser's methods of fabrica-
under Supplementary Requirements. 4.1.2 Name of material (hot-wrought tion, and end use requirements. Killed
special quality bars), steels can be produced to coarse or fine
NOTE 1-Merchant-quality wrought hot-
austenitic grain size (Supplementary
wrought carbon steel bars subject to mechani- 4.1.3 Dimensions, including length,
cal property requirements are covered in Requirement S 1).
Specification AASHTO M 227/M 277M.
4.1.4 Cross section (round, square,
6.3 Condition-Unless otherwise speci-
hexagon, equal leg angle, etc.),
1.5 The values stated in either inchpound fied, the bars shall be furnished asrolled
4.1.5 AASHTO designation and date of and not pickled, blast cleaned, or oiled.
units or SI units are to be regarded sepa- issue,
rately as the standard. Within the text, the At the producer's option, bars may be
SI units are shown in brackets. The val- 4.1.6 Grade designation (Table 2), cleaned for inspection.
ues stated in each system are not equiva- 4.1.7 Leaded steel, if required (Section
lents, therefore, each system must be 7.2),
7. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
used independently of the other. Combin- 4.1.8 Copper bearing steel. if required
ing values from the two systems may (Section 7.3),
result in nonconformance with the speci- 7.1 The steel shall conform to the chemi-
4.1.9 Test report, if required (Section
fication. cal requirements specified in Table 1.
10),
7.2 Leaded Steel-When required, lead
4.1.10 Supplementary Requirements or
may be specified as an added element.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS special requirements if required, and
When lead is specified as an added ele-
4.1.11 Application and processing.
ment, a range from 0.15 to 0.35-percent
2.1 AASHTO Standards: NOTE 2-A typical ordering description is as inclusive shall be furnished. Such a steel
follows: 10000 lb [5000 kg] Hot Wrought: is identified by adding the letter L after
M 227 Steel Bars, Merchant Quality, Special Quality Carbon Steel Bars, 1-in.
Mechanical Property the grade designation, for example 60L
diameter X 10 ft [25 mm X 3 m] RoundM 255/
[415 L].
T 244 Mechanical Testing of Steel M 255M, Grade 50 [345]. Copper Bearing,
Products Test Report Required. S3 Special Straightness, 7.3 Copper-Bearing Steel-When required
Boiler Supports. copper may be specified as an added
2.2 ASTM Standards: element. Copper-bearing steel is identi-
A 29/A 29M Specification for fied by stating "copper-bearing" on the
5. GENERAL REQUIREMEENTS
Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy purchase order.
HotWrought and ColdFin- 7.4 When tension tests are waived in
ished, General Requirements 5.1 Material furnished under this specifi- accordance with Section 8.1.1.2, chemis-
E 290 Semi-Guided Bend Test for cation shall conform to the applicable try consistent with the mechanical prop-
Ductility of Metallic Materi- requirements for the current edition of erties desired shall be applied.
als ASTM A 29/A 2951.
398
M 255 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
8. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES 8.1.1.6 For grades 70, 75, 80, and 90 represented. For material over 2 in. [50
[485, 515, 550, and 620] for material mm] thick, when the material from heat
over 2 in. [50 mm] in thickness or diame- differs 1 in. [25 mm] or more in thick-
8.1 Tension Tests: ter, a deduction of 1.00 percent from the ness, one tension test shall be made from
8.1.1 Requirements: percentage of elongation in 2 in. [50 mm] both the thickest and the thinnest material
8.1.1.1 The material as represented by specified in Table 2 shall be made for rolled that is more than 2-in. [50-mm]
the test specimen shall conform to the each 1 in. [25 mm] of specified thickness thick regardless of the weight repre-
applicable requirements in Table 2. or diameter, or fraction thereof, over 2 in. sented.
[50 mm] in diameter or thickness, to a 8.1.4 Test Method-Tension tests shall
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements (Heat maximum deduction of 3 percent. be made in accordance with T 244 using
Analysis)
8.1.2 Test Specimens: the applicable method for determining
Composition,
Element
Percent 8.1.2.1 Test specimens shall be prepared yield point.
Phosphorus, max 0.040 for testing from the material in its as- 8.2 Bend Tests:
Sulfur. max 0.050 rolled condition unless otherwise speci- 8.2.1 Requirements:
Copper, when copper steel fied (see Supplementary Requirements).
0.20 8.2.1.1 Bend requirements apply only to
specified, min is The tension specimen may be aged as
Lead A
described in T 244. flat bars (all sizes), bars other than flats
A
When required, lead may be specified as an less than ½ in. [12.5 mm] in thickness or
added element. See Section 7.2. 8.1.2.2 Test specimens shall be taken diameter, and shapes less than 1 in.2 [645
longitudinally and may be tested in full mm2] in cross section. When bend tests
8.1.1.2 Shapes less than 1 in.2 [645 mm2] thickness or section, or they may be are required for other sizes, Supplemen-
in cross section and bars (other than flats) machined to the dimensions shown in tary Requirement S6 must be specified.
less than ½ in. [12.5 mm] in thickness or Figures 4 or 5 of T 244. If test specimens
are selected conforming to the dimen- 8.2.1.2 The bend test specimen shall
diameter need not be subject to tension
sions of Figure 5, they shall be machined stand being bent at room temperature
tests by the manufacturer.
from a position midway between the through 180° without cracking on the
8.1.1.3 For material over ¾ in. [19 mm] outside of the bent portion, to an inside
in thickness or diameter, a deduction of center and the surface of the bar.
diameter which shall have the relation to
0.25 percent from the percentage of 8.1.2.3 Test specimens for shapes and the thickness or diameter of the specimen
elongation in 8 in. [200 mm] specified in flats may be machined to the form and as given in Table 3.
Table 2 shall be made for each increase dimensions shown in Figure 4 of T 244
8.2.2 Test Specimens:
of 1/32 in. [0.8 mm] in the specified thick- or with both edges parallel. Test speci-
ness or diameter above ¾ in. [19 mm]. mens for material over 1 ½ in. [40 mm] 8.2.2.1 Bend test specimens for material
in thickness or diameter may be ma- 1½ in. [40 mm] and under in diameter or
8.1.1.4 For material under 5/l6 in. [8 nun]
chined to a thickness or diameter of at thickness may be the full thickness of the
in thickness or diameter, a deduction of
least ¾ in. [20 mm] for a length of at section. For flat bars over 2 in. [50 mm]
2.00 percent from the percentage of
least 9 in. [230 mm], or they may con- in width, the width may be reduced by
elongation in 8 in. [200 mm] specified in
form to the dimensions shown in Figure 5 milling to 1 ½ in. [40 mm].
Table 2 shall be made for each decrease
of 1/32 in. [0.8 mm] in the specified thick- of T 244. 8.2.2.2 Bend test specimens for material
ness or diameter below 5/16 in. [8 mm]. 8.1.3 Number of Tests-Two tension over 1 ½ in. [38 mm] in diameter or
tests shall be made from each heat, unless thickness may be machined to a thickness
8.1.1.5 For grades 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65
the finished material from a heat is less or diameter of at least ¾ in. [20 mm] or
[310, 345, 380, and 415] for material
than 50 tons [45 Mg], when one tension to 1 by ½ in. [25 by 12.5 mm] in section.
over 2 in. [50 mm] in thickness or diame-
test will be sufficient. However, for Machined sides of bend test specimens
ter, a deduction of 1.00 percent from the
material 2 in. [50 mm] and under in may have the corners rounded to a radius
percentage of elongation in 2 in. [50 mm]
thickness, when the material from one of not over 1/16 in. [1.6 mm] for material
specified in Table 2 shall be made for
heat differs ⅜ in. [9.5 mm] or more in 2 in. [50 mm] and under in thickness, and
each 1 in. [25 nun] of specified thickness
thickness, one tension test shall be made not over ⅛ in. [3.2 mm] in radius for
or diameter or fraction thereof over 2 in.
from both the thickest and the thinnest material over 2 in. [50 mm] in thickness.
[50 mm] in thickness in diameter.
material rolled (larger than the sizes in
Section 8.1.1.2) regardless of the weight
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
Tensile Strength Yield Point, MinA Elongation, Min PercentC
Grade Designa-
8 in. or (200 mm] 2 in. or [50 mm]
tionB ksi [MPa] ksi [MPa]
Gage Length Gage Length
45 [310] 45 to 55 [310 to 380] 22.5 [155] 27 33
50 [345] 50 to 60 [345 to 415] 25 [170] 25 30
55 [3801 55 to 65 [380 to 450] 27.5 [190] 23 26
60 [415] 60 to 72 [415 to 495] 30 [205] 21 22
65 [450] 65 to 77 [450 to 530] 32.5 [225] 17 20
70 [4851 70 to 85 [485 to 585] 35 [240] 14 18
75 [515] 75 to 90 (515 to 620] 37.5 [260] 14 18
80 [550] 80 min [550 min] 40 [275] 13 17
90 [620] 90 min [620 min] 55 [380] 10 14
A
When the tension test does not show a yield point (drop of the beam, halt of the pointer, or sharp-kneed stress-strain diagram), yield strength shall
be determined by either 0.5-percent extension-under-load or 0.2-percent offset. The minimum ksi (MPa) requirement does not change. The test report,
if required, shall show yield strength.
B
When lead is required, add the letter "L" after the grade designation, for example, 45L.
C
See Sections 8.1.1.3 through 8.1.1.6 for deduction in elongation due to section size.
399
M 255 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
8.2.3 Number of Tests-When subject to tensile requirements, and bend test (if or the fine grain size requirement of
bend test, two bend tests shall be made applicable) test results shall be furnished. ASTM A 29/A 29M.
from each heat, unless the finished mate- Only one test need be reported when the
rial from a heat is less than 50 tons [45 amount of material from a heat in a
Mg], when one bend test will be suffi- shipment is less than 10 tons [9 Mg] and S2. THERMAL TREATMENT
cient. However, for material 2 in. [50 when the thickness variations described
mm] and under in thickness, when the in Sections 8.1.3 and 8.2.3 are not ex- S2.1 When required, the purchaser
material from one heat differs ⅜ in. [9.5 ceeded. The report shall include the name may specify that the material be stress
mm] or more in thickness, one bend test of the manufacturer, AASHTO designa- relieved.
shall be made from both the thickest and tion number and date of issue, grade, heat
the thinnest material rolled regardless of number, and size.
the weight represented. For material over S3. SPECIAL STRAIGHTNESS
10.2 The thickness of the product
2-in. [50-mm] thick, when the material tested may not necessarily be the same as
from one heat differs 1 in. [25 nun] or an individual ordered thickness since it is S3.1 Bars may be specified to special
more in thickness, one bend test shall be the heat that is tested rather than each straightness tolerance (refer to ASTM A
made from both the thickest and the ordered item. 29/A 29M).
thinnest material rolled that is more than
2-in. [50-mm] thick regardless of the 10.3 When Supplementary Require-
weight represented. ments are specified, the report shall S4. CLEANING
include a statement of compliance with
8.2.4 Test Methods-Bend tests shall be the requirement or the results of tests
made in accordance with ASTM E 290. when the requirement involves measured S4.1 The purchaser may specify that
test values. the surface of bars be descaled by pick-
9. WORKMANSHIP, FINISH, AND ling or blast cleaning.
APPEARANCE SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIRE-
MENTS S5. COATING
9.1 Bars shall be free of visible pipe,
undue segregation, and injurious surface One or more of the following supplemen- S5.1 The purchaser may specify oil on
imperfections. tary requirements shall apply only when bars that have been descaled.
9.2 Surface Finish-The bars shall have a specified by the purchaser in the inquiry,
commercial hot-wrought finish obtained contract, or order. Details of these sup-
S6. BEND REQUIREMENT
by conventional hot rolling. See Section plementary requirements shall be agreed
6.3 for producer's descaling option. upon in writing by the manufacturer and
purchaser. Supplementary requirements S6.1 Bend requirements for Grade 90
shall in no way negate any requirements [620] may be specified. The bend ratio
10. CERTIFICATION of the specification itself. shall be as agreed upon. Bend require-
ments for all other grades, when speci-
10.1 When specified by the purchaser, fied, shall be as specified in Table 3.
S1. GRAIN SIZE
a manufacturer's certification that the
material was manufactured and tested in
accordance with this specification to- S1.1 The steel shall conform to the
gether with a report of the heat analysis, coarse austenitic grain size requirements,
TABLE 3 Bend Requirements
Ratio of Bend Diameter to Thickness of Specimen for Thickness or Diameter of Bar, in. (mm)
Grade Designa-
¾ [20] and Over ¾ [20] to Over 1[25] to 1 Over 1 ½ [40] to Over 2(50] to Over 3[75] to
tion Over 5[125]
Under 1[25], incl ½ [40], incl 2[50], incl 3[75], incl 5[125], incl
45 [310] flat flat ½ 1 1 2 3
50 [345] flat ½ 1 1½ 2½ 3 3½
55 [380] ½ 1 1½ 2 2½ 3 3½
60 [415] ½ 1 1½ 2½ 3 3½ 4
65 [450] 1 1½ 2 3 3½ 4 5
70 [485] 1½ 2 2½ 3 3½ 4 5
75 [515] 2 2 3 3½ 4 4½ 6
80 [550] 2 2½ 3 3½ 4 4½ 6
90 [620]A
A
Bend requirements are not required for Grade 90 [6201, but may be specified by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer (see Supplemen-
tary Requirement S6).
400
