ASTM for Light Gauge Stainless Steel???

[jropert]

I am reviewing a set of structural drawings that call for cold formed (light gauge) steel to be stainless steel conforming to the ASTM spec A446 Grade A. I understand that this ASTM has been discontinued and replaced with ASTM A653 and the drawings need to be changed for this reason. However, it appears that ASTM A653 is for galvanized steel and not stainless steel.

That being said, what (if any) ASTM spec should be called-out and followed for stainless steel cold-formed (light gauge) steel members? This is for an exterior use open structure made up of studs, tracks, joists, etc. where corrosion is a factor. I am familiar with the A653 spec for most applications, but obviously not familiar with light gauge stainless steel.

Any assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated as always.

 

[TVP]

ASTM A 446 was for galvanized steel too, not stainless. Here is some information regarding specifications/standards for structural design with stainless:

http://www.ssina.com/resource_center/specifications.html

 

[jropert]

From the lists of ASTMs, it appears that light gauge stainless steel is either not very common or not even made? It looks like most of the ASTM types for stainless steel are for structural steel shapes, nuts, bolts, etc. but I don't see anything about cold-formed light gauge steel. It would appear possible to fabricate, but I need to know if it is even commonly made?

 

[JLSeagull]

What are you calling light gauge? My table of sheet steel, strip & tubing, aluminum and stainless shows stainless thickness through 38 gauge at 0.0062-inch. However, that does not mean that anyone sells 38 gauge sheet. I am sure that 16 gauge (0.0625-inch) and heavier are common.

A 176 covers stainless sheet chemical composition in the UNS S4XXXX serues. A 480 covers sheet finish, flatness etc. A 947 covers similar topics for textured stainless steel. I am sure that a search of the ASTM or IHS web would identify lots more stainless steel standards.

 

[TVP]

Light gauge stainless steel is quite common. ASTM A 666 covers sheet and strip product forms, with thicknesses considerably less than 0.050 inches. This is a similar standard to ASTM A 653, meaning that they both cover sheet or strip steel in coil form. This coil material is then introduced as the raw material for manufacturing process like stamping or roll forming in order to produce the desired part shape.

 

[jropert]

As far as what I mean by "Light Gauge"...20Ga. to 12Ga. studs, tracks, etc.

The ASTM A666 appears to include this type of steel, however, there is a note in the abstract (searching astm.org...I don't have the full copy of course) that states that testing for specific yielding and such mechanical properties is needed for the application at hand. Are there places I could find test results and mechanical properties for stainless steel members under these specs (for design purposes)?

ASTM 480 appears to be a general spec that covers most of the stainless steel specs (A167, A240, A666, etc). Should this be the ASTM listed on the drawings for this application, or should it be more specific?

 

[TVP]

Here is some data from one supplier of stainless steel strip:

http://www.olinbrass.com/companies/AjOster/products/Documents/Stainless Steel Alloy Guide.pdf

The most common alloy is Type 304, and it is available in a number of different rolled tempers. ASTM A 666 only goes to full hard, the other two listed by Olin/Somers are their proprietary offerings.