Abstract

This practice describes a methodology to statistically characterize the distribution of the largest indigenous non-metallic inclusions in steel specimens based upon quantitative metallographic measurements. This practice enables the experimenter to estimate the extreme value distribution of inclusions in steels. The procedures in determining non-metallic inclusions in steel are presented and discussed in details.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

Significance and Use

This practice is used to assess the indigenous inclusions or second-phase constituents in metals using extreme value statistics.

It is well known that failures of mechanical components, such as gears and bearings, are often caused by the presence of large nonmetallic oxide inclusions. Failure of a component can often be traced to the presence of a large inclusion. Predictions related to component fatigue life are not possible with the evaluations provided by standards such as Test Methods E 45 , Practice E 1122 , or Practice E 1245 . The use of extreme value statistics has been related to component life and inclusion size distributions by several different investigators (3-8) . The purpose of this practice is to create a standardized method of performing this analysis.

This practice is not suitable for assessing the exogenous inclusions in steels and other metals because of the unpredictable nature of the distribution of exogenous inclusions. Other methods involving complete inspection such as ultrasonics must be used to locate their presence.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice describes a methodology to statistically characterize the distribution of the largest indigenous nonmetallic inclusions in steel specimens based upon quantitative metallographic measurements. The practice is not suitable for assessing exogenous inclusions.

1.2 Based upon the statistical analysis, the nonmetallic content of different lots of steels can be compared.

1.3 This practice deals only with the recommended test methods and nothing in it should be construed as defining or establishing limits of acceptability.

1.4 The measured values are stated in SI units. For measurements obtained from light microscopy, linear feature parameters shall be reported as micrometers, and feature areas shall be reported as micrometers.

1.5 The methodology can be extended to other materials and to other microstructural features.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens

E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography

E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel

E178 Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations

E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics

E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

E768 Guide for Preparing and Evaluating Specimens for Automatic Inclusion Assessment of Steel

E1122 Practice for Obtaining JK Inclusion Ratings Using Automatic Image Analysis

E1245 Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-Phase Constituent Content of Metals by Automatic Image Analysis

Keywords

extreme value statistics; inclusion length; maximum inclusion length; maximum likelihood method; Extreme value statistics; Inclusion length; Inclusions; Indigenous inclusions; Maximum inclusion length; Metallographic analysis/inspection; Microstructures; Nonmetallic inclusions; Statistical methods--metals/alloys; Steel; Value analysis (VA);

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 77.040.99 (Other methods of testing metals)

DOI: 10.1520/E2283-08

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM E2283