Designation: A 867/A 867M – 94 (Reapproved 1998)e1 An American National Standard

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Specification for

Iron-Silicon Relay Steels1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 867/A 867M; 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.

e1 NOTE—Editorially, the phrase “absolute or practical” was removed from 1.6 and coercive force was changed throughout to
coercive field strength in February 1999.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers wrought iron-silicon (Fe-Si) 2.1 ASTM Standards:
steels that are generally used in the manufacture of electrome- A 34/A 34M Practice for Sampling and Procurement of
chanical devices, such as relays and solenoids, requiring higher Magnetic Materials2
electrical resistivity, higher permeability, and lower coercivity A 341 Test Method for Direct-Current Magnetic Properties
and residual magnetism than provided by either carbon steels of Materials Using D-C Permeameters and the Ballistic
or soft magnetic low-carbon irons. The steels covered in this Test Methods2
specification are: A 596 Test Method for Direct-Current Magnetic Properties
Steel Type Nominal Composition of Materials Using the Ballistic Method and Ring Speci-
mens2
1 1.1 % Si-Fe
1F 1.1 % Si-Fe free machining
A 773 Test Method for D-C Magnetic Properties of Mate-
2 2.3 % Si-Fe rials Using Ring and Permeameter Procedures with D-C
2F 2.3 % Si-Fe free machining Electronic Hysteresigraphs2
3 4.0 % Si-Fe
2.2 Other:
1.2 This specification covers steels in the form and condi- IEC Publication 404-7 Methods of Measurement of the
tion required for fabrication into parts. The fabricated parts Coercivity of Magnetic Materials in an Open Magnetic
typically require a final heat treatment to obtain the desired Circuit3
magnetic performance. The term mill annealed as used in this
specification applies to a heat treatment, typically applied by 3. Ordering Information
the producer, intended to improve formability. The mill anneal 3.1 Orders to this specification shall include as much of the
does not provide the optimum magnetic performance and is not following information as is required to describe the desired
intended to replace the need for the finish annealing of parts. steel:
1.3 This specification covers steels in the form of forging 3.1.1 ASTM Specification number and steel type,
billets, hot-rolled bar and strip, cold-finished bar, wire, and 3.1.2 Dimensions and tolerances. The tolerances are to be
cold-rolled strip in thicknesses up to 0.250 in. [6.35 mm]. mutually agreed upon between the consumer and the producer,
1.4 This specification does not cover electrical sheet steels 3.1.3 Quantity (weight or number of pieces),
used in transformer and motor laminations. 3.1.4 Form and condition,
1.5 This specification does not cover powder metallurgy 3.1.5 Magnetic property requirements if they are otherwise
materials capable of being processed into magnetic core than stated herein,
components having similar silicon contents. 3.1.6 Certification of chemical analysis or magnetic prop-
1.6 The values stated in either customary (cgs-emu and erty evaluation, or both,
inch-pound) units or SI units are to be regarded separately as 3.1.7 Marking and packaging,
standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. 3.1.8 End Use—Whenever possible the consumer should
The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; specify whether the product will be machined, blanked into flat
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. pieces, blanked and formed, or deep drawn to shape. This
Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon- information will help the producer provide the most suitable
formance with this specification. product for the consumer’s fabrication practice, and
3.1.9 Exceptions to this specification or special require-
ments.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-6 on
Magnetic Properties and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A06.02 on
2
Material Specifications. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.04.
3
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1994. Published April 1994. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
published as A 867 – 86. Last previous edition A 867 – 86. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

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 A 867/A 867M
4. Chemical Composition 6.2 Test Specimen Heat Treatment—The test specimen shall
4.1 The chemical composition requirements are shown in be heat treated before testing as follows; heat at 845 6 10°C
Table 1. Since magnetic and, possibly, mechanical properties for 4 h in a wet hydrogen atmosphere (dew point of − 20 to
are of primary importance, variations in composition from 5°C) then cool at a rate of 50 to 100°C/h to a temperature less
those shown in Table 1 are permitted by mutual agreement than 540°C followed by further cooling at any convenient rate.
between the consumer and the producer. For heat treatment of Type 3 steels, dry hydrogen (dew point
less than − 40°C) shall be used instead of wet hydrogen.
5. Form and Condition 6.3 Conventional dc Magnetic Testing:
5.1 As the silicon content increases, cold working becomes 6.3.1 Either ring or permeameter techniques may be used.
more difficult, hence, not all product forms are available in For ring specimens either Test Methods A 596 or A 773 is
each type of steel. The desired form and condition should be permitted. For straight-length specimens, either Test Methods
specified and discussed with the producer to assure receiving A 341 or A 773 is permitted.
the appropriate product. Available forms and conditions are: 6.3.2 Whenever possible, test specimen size and shape shall
5.1.1 Forging Billet (all steel types)—Billet surface ground, conform to Practice A 34/A 34M. The densities of these steels
grit blasted, or acid cleaned. for testing purposes are listed in Table X1.1.
5.1.2 Hot-Rolled Product (all steel types)—Hot rolled, hot 6.3.3 Requirements—The coercive force requirements of
rolled and acid cleaned, and hot-rolled and mechanically specimens heat treated in accordance with 6.2 are shown in
cleaned. Table 2. The coercive field strength shall be measured from a
5.1.3 Cold-Finished Bars—Mill annealed, centerless maximum flux density of 10.0 kG [1.00 T].
ground (all steel types), cold drawn (all grades up to 0.500 in. 6.4 Coercimeter Testing:
(12.7 mm) round), cold-processed shapes such as squares, 6.4.1 Coercimeters are permitted provided it is demon-
rectangles, hexagons (all types except Type 3), centerless strated that flux density in the test specimen reaches at least 15
ground, and machine turned. kG [1.5 T] during the magnetization cycle and that the test
5.1.4 Strip (all types except Type 3)—As-supplied condition method and test equipment satisfy the requirements of IEC
must be specified as either cold rolled to hardness or mill Publication 404-7.
annealed. Steel can be supplied in coil form or as straightened 6.4.2 Requirements—The coercive field strength require-
and cut to length flat product. Product can be supplied having ments of specimens heat treated in accordance with 6.2 and
a rolled edge, either round or flat, or an edge produced by tested using a coercimeter are shown in Table 3.
slitting.
7. Packaging and Marking
5.1.5 Wire (all types except Type 3)—Cold drawn, cold
drawn and mill annealed in either coils or straightened and cut 7.1 Packaging shall be subject to agreement between the
to length. consumer and the producer.
7.2 Material furnished under this specification shall be
6. Magnetic Property Requirements identified by the name or symbol of the producer, by alloy type,
6.1 Under this specification, only the coercive field strength melt number, and material size. Each producer lot applied to a
(Hc) is required to be measured. This measurement can be done order must be identified and packaged separately.
either using ring or permeameter methods or by use of a
8. Investigation of Claim
coercimeter. Since coercimeters saturate the test specimen
before measurement of the coercive field strength, two differ- 8.1 Where any order fails to meet the requirements of this
ent sets of requirements are necessary, one for ring and specification, disposition of the material so designated shall be
permeameter testing and one for coercimeter testing. subject to agreement between the consumer and the producer.

TABLE 1 Chemical Composition Requirements 9. Keywords

Type 1 Type 1F Type 2 Type 2F Type 3 9.1 coercive field strength; iron-silicon steel; relay steel
Carbon 0.04 max 0.04 max 0.04 max 0.04 max 0.04 max
Manganese 0.50 max 0.50 max 0.50 max 0.50 max 0.50 max
Silicon 1.10 nom 1.10 nom 2.30 nom 2.30 nom 4.00 nom TABLE 2 DC Coercive Field Strength (Hc) Requirements
Phosphorus 0.05 max 0.10/0.22 0.05 max 0.10/0.25 0.05 max (Conventional Testing)
Sulfur 0.04 max 0.04 max 0.04 max 0.04 max 0.04 max
Types 1 and 1F Types 2 and 2F Type 3
Aluminum 0.35 max 0.35 max 0.50 max 0.50 max 0.50 max
Iron A balance balance balance balance balance Oe 0.80 max 0.75 max 0.70 max
A A/m 64 max 60 max 56 max
Iron is not analyzed nor is it reported.

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 A 867/A 867M
TABLE 3 DC Coercive Field Strength (Hc) Requirements
(Coercimeter Testing)
Types 1 and 1F Types 2 and 2F Type 3
Oe 1.2 max 1.1 max 1.0 max
A/m 96 max 88 max 80 max

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. TYPICAL PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL, AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

X1.1 Typical physical, magnetic, and hardness properties of

the five types of steel are listed in Table X1.1, Table X1.2, and
Table X1.3, respectively. The data provided are for information
only and are not requirements in this specification.

TABLE X1.1 Typical Physical Properties

Types 1 and 1F Types 2 and 2F Type 3
Density (g/cm3) 7.75 7.65 7.60
[kg/m3] 7750 7650 7600
Electrical resistivity (µV-cm) 25 40 58
[V-m] 0.25 3 10−6 0.40 3 10−6 0.58 3 10−6
Saturation flux density (kG) 21.0 20.6 20.0
[T] 2.10 2.06 2.00
Curie temperature (°C) 761 748 728
Mean coefficient of expansion from 25 12.8 13.2 13.5
to 400°C (10−6/°C)

TABLE X1.2 Typical dc Magnetic Properties A

Types 1 and 1F Types 2 and 2F Type 3
Maximum permeability 14 800 11 200 9000
Coercive field strength (Oe) 0.44 0.47 0.49
[A/m] 35 37 39
Residual induction (kG) 8.50 8.60 7.00
[T] 0.850 0.860 0.700
A
Results from ring specimens heat treated in accordance with 6.2 and tested in accordance with Test Method A 596. Permeameter test results for maximum permeability
and residual induction are significantly lower as a result of unavoidable loop shearing effects. Coercive field strength and residual induction are determined from a maximum
magnetic flux density of 10 000 G [1.00 T].

TABLE X1.3 Typical Annealed Rockwell Hardness

NOTE 1— Bar hardness determined at mid radius.
NOTE 2—Bar and strip that are straightened and cut to length exhibit slightly higher hardness than shown in this table.
Type 1 Type 1F Types 2 and Type 3
2F
Mill annealed 60 HRB 75 HRB 90 HRB 100 HRB
As heat treated for 50 HRB 70 HRB 88 HRB 95 HRB
magnetic properties

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 A 867/A 867M

X2. HEAT TREATMENT OF IRON-SILICON RELAY STEELS

X2.1 Heat treatment of parts made from iron-silicon relay nitrogen), and dissociated ammonia can be used. Vacuum heat
steels is necessary to obtain the best magnetic performance. treatment can also be used.
Magnetic behavior improves (that is, permeability increases
and coercive field strength decreases) when heat treating is X2.3 Further improvement in magnetic characteristics is
performed at temperatures as low as 700°C. For steel Types 2, achievable by using a higher dew-point (−20 to 5°C) hydrogen
2F, and 3, further improvement in magnetic performance or forming gas atmosphere to promote decarburization. How-
occurs as the heat-treating temperature is increased. Steel ever, the high dew-point atmospheres should not be used (1) at
Types 1 and 1F will show a decline in magnetic performance temperatures in excess of 950°C, (2) when heat treating steel
when heat treated above 870°C as a result of austenitization Type 3, or (3) when the part, produced from any type, is to be
and subsequent grain refinement upon cooling. Most com- plated after heat treatment.
monly, heat treatment is conducted at temperatures of approxi-
mately 840°C for a minimum of 2 h followed by slow cooling. X2.4 Iron-silicon relay steels are very prone to rusting
under ordinary atmospheric conditions. A protective coating
X2.2 A protective nonoxidizing, noncarburizing, and non- should be applied to heat-treated parts as soon as possible.
nitriding atmosphere should be used. Low dew-point atmo- Chromium, nickel, or cadmium plating is most commonly
spheres such as hydrogen, forming gas (5 to 15 % hydrogen- used.

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