Classification of Materials

[engg978]

Can any one plz explain the classification of the ASME materials for example SA516-70, what S represents, what A represents.
Similarly if B appears after S then ??

The purpose of the quetion is that how can I identify a material by reading these SA516 ??

Is there any site which explains this classification ?

 

[metengr]

The prefix "S" that is used by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code committee applies to ASTM standard Specifications, and indicates the reviewed ASTM specification has been approved for use in boiler and pressure vessel fabrication.

The process is as follows, when a request is submitted to the ASME B&PV code committee for use of an ASTM material, the ASME B&PV subcommittee on materials (Section II) and other applicable subcommittees (Section I or VIII or others) review the ASTM specification to determine if it can be used with only editorial changes or other technical changes. Once the requested ASTM specification has been approved for use, a prefix is assigned S, thus the approved specification is SA.

 

[metengr]

To answer the second part of your question, you need to get your hands on an actual ASME Standard Specification and review the contents. In addition, if you can obtain Section II of the ASME B&PV code, the introduction to this section explains how materials are segregated in terms of ferrous and nonferrous classifications.

One other option is to visit the CASTI web site below, they have excellent reference books on ASME B&PV code material. Check out the book on Section II materials

http://www.casti.ca/

 

[TomBarsh]

There's a new "Guideline" in A05 Section II Part D: "Guideline on Locating Materials in Stress Tables...", see page 1.1.

This new section finally describes the method used to arrange materials in the stress tables, etc, in Section II Part D.

 

[hippocrocopig]

A or B refers to the subsection of section II, i.e., ferrous or non-ferrous respectively.

Inside the body of the stainless steel designation, WP is wrought pipe, TP is tubular product (not "type"!), F is forging. I'm sure there are exceptions, but if you see SA420-WPL6 you should think "wrought pipe" - that is a fitting. People keep spoiling this system though by assuming that TP means "type" and is therefore generic (They will write "SA240-TP304L" which is wrong because it is a plate).

Otherwise it is not very systematic and it is just a case of learrning the important ones parrot-fashion. Moss lists them in Pressure Vessel Design Manual.

 

[hippocrocopig]

.. and the 60, 65, 70 etc of SA516-** is the minimum tensile strength in thousands of psi, as defined in Code, but you probably know that. Just couldn't tell from your posting.

 

[bmoorthy]

engg978

If you want to know what is the significance of 516 in SA 516 or ASTM A 516, looking at the number you will not be able to decipher what the material product form is or what the alloy is (Unlike UNS numbers).

The Numbers 5, 1, 6 does not signify any thing. If you want to know what is 516 you need to take the ASTM or ASME SeC II A to see the specification and understand.

Now A in A516 or SA 516 signifies the material is ferrous

Gr 60 or 70 indicates the Tensile strength in KSI.

S in SA has been explained by metengr