Designation: A 197/A 197M – 00 (Reapproved 2006)

Standard Specification for

Cupola Malleable Iron1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 197/A 197M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope poured from the same lot of iron as the castings they represent
1.1 This specification covers malleable irons for castings and shall be heat treated with those castings.
made by the cupola process. 5. Ordering Information
1.2 Without knowledge of casting geometry and process
details, quantitative relationships cannot be stated between the 5.1 The purchase order for castings ordered under this
properties of the iron in the various locations of a casting and specification shall state the specification designation and the
those of a test bar cast from the same iron. year in which the specification was issued.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units 5.2 Any options or special additions to the basic require-
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the ments of this specification shall be clearly and fully stipulated.
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each 6. Chemical Composition
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall
6.1 The chemical composition of the iron shall be such as to

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be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi- produce the mechanical properties required by this specifica-
cation. tion.

2. Referenced Documents 7. Mechanical Requirements

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 7.1 Factors influencing the properties of castings and their
A 247 Test Method for Evaluating the Microstructure of relationship to those of test specimens and separate test
Graphite in Iron Castings castings are discussed in Appendix X1.
A 644 Terminology Relating to Iron Castings 7.2 Tensile Test:
E 8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials 7.2.1 Tensile Test Specimens:
7.2.1.1 The tensile test specimens shall be cast to the form
3. Terminology and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 using the same kind
3.1 Definitions—Definitions for many terms common to of molding material used for the production castings.
iron castings are found in Terminology A 644. 7.2.1.2 All test specimens shall be suitably identified with
the designation of the pour period.
4. Classification 7.2.1.3 All test specimens shall be heat treated in the same
4.1 Iron produced for castings ordered under this specifica- production furnace and for the same cycles as the castings they
tion is classified in a single grade and is qualified by tests on represent.
separately cast test bars. Separately cast test bars shall be 7.2.2 Tensile Test Method:
7.2.2.1 Perform the tensile test on unmachined specimens.
7.2.2.2 Gage Length—The gage length of the standard
tensile specimen shall be 2.00 6 0.01 in. [50.0 6 0.03 mm].
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A04 on Iron 7.2.2.3 Cross-Sectional Area—The diameter used to com-
Castings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A04.02 on Malleable and
Ductile Iron Castings. pute the cross-sectional area shall be the average between the
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2006. Published February 2006. Originally largest and smallest diameters in that section of the 2-in. [50
approved in 1936. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as A 197/A 197M – 00.
2
mm] gage length having the smallest diameter and shall be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
measured to the nearest 0.001 in. [0.02 mm]. No cast bar
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on having a mean diameter less than 0.590 in. [15 mm] shall be
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the ASTM website. accepted for test.

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 A 197/A 197M – 00 (2006)

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FIG. 1 Tension Test Specimen
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NOTE 1—Modifications may be made in the dimensions indicated above for those details of the specimen outside of the gage length as required by
testing procedure and equipment.
FIG. 2 Alternative Unmachined Tension Test Specimen

7.2.2.4 Speed of Testing—After reaching a stress equivalent 0.5 % extension) or an offset of 0.2 % shall be taken as the
to approximately half of the anticipated yield stress, the speed yield stress, which shall be converted to yield strength by
of the moving head of the testing machine shall not exceed dividing by the original cross-sectional area of the gage length
0.50 in./min [12.5 mm/min] through the breaking load. found in accordance with 7.2.2.3. It shall be reported to the
7.2.2.5 Yield Strength—While the values for yield point and nearest 100 psi [1 MPa]. In referee work, yield strength shall be
yield strength are not identical, they are sufficiently close for determined at an offset of 0.2 % from the stress strain curve.
most applications to be used interchangeably. They shall be 7.2.2.6 Tensile Strength—The tensile strength shall be the
determined by an approved technique described in Test Meth- maximum load carried by the specimen during the test divided
ods E 8 or by an equivalent method. If determined as yield by the original cross-sectional area of the gage length, as found
strength, that stress producing an extension under load of 0.01 in accordance with 7.2.2.3. It shall be reported to the nearest
in. [0.25 mm] over the 2-in. [50 mm] gage length (for example, 100 psi [1 MPa].

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 A 197/A 197M – 00 (2006)
7.2.2.7 Elongation—The elongation is the increase in gage 10. Dimensional Requirements
length after fracture of a tensile specimen, measured to the 10.1 The castings shall conform to the dimensions given on
nearest 0.01 in. [0.25 mm] expressed as a percentage of the drawings furnished by the purchaser, or to the dimensions
original gage length. It shall be reported to the nearest 0.5 %. established by the pattern equipment supplied by the purchaser.
7.2.3 Number of Tests and Retests:
7.2.3.1 At least three tensile test specimens shall be cast 11. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
from a representative ladle of iron from each 4-h pour period 11.1 The surface of the casting shall be clean, free from
during which the purchaser’s castings were poured. sand, and have a workmanlike finish.
7.2.3.2 Only one test specimen need be tested to qualify
each pour period and heat treatment batch provided the 12. Identification Marking
requirements of this specification are met by that test specimen.
12.1 When the size of the casting permits, each casting shall
7.2.3.3 If after testing, a specimen shows evidence of a
bear the identifying mark of the manufacturer and the part or
defect, another tensile test may be made on a companion
pattern number at a location shown on the covering drawing
specimen. Also, a retest shall be permitted whenever fracture
and if not shown on the drawing, at such a location at the
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occurs outside the central 50 % of the gage length.

discretion of the producer that the identification will not
7.2.3.4 If the result of a valid test fails to conform to the
interfere with subsequent processing and service of the casting.
requirements of this specification, two retests shall be made. If
12.2 For steam service pressures in excess of 150 psi [1000
either of the retest fails to meet the specification, all the
KPa], the castings shall be marked with the manufacturer’s
castings from the pour period and the heat treat batch repre-
name or trademark, numerals to indicate the steam service
sented by these test specimens shall be rejected.
intended, and any other marks that will clearly indicate the
7.2.3.5 If the first test results indicate that a reheat treatment
maximum service for which the casting is intended. These
is needed to meet the test requirements, the entire lot of
identifying marks shall be located where they will not interfere
castings and the representative test specimens shall be reheat
with service of the casting.
treated together. Testing shall then be repeated in accordance
with 7.2.3.1 through 7.2.3.4. 13. Responsibility for Inspection
7.2.4 The results of all tests, including retests, shall be
posted in permanent records, that shall state any abnormalities 13.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
observed during the test and in the fractured ends. Such records order, the manufacturer shall be responsible for carrying out all
shall be kept for at least one year after production of the the tests and inspections required by this specification, using
castings and shall be available for examination by the pur- his own or other reliable facilities. The manufacturer shall
chaser or by his authorized representative. maintain complete records of all such test and inspections.
7.2.5 Tensile test results, obtained in accordance with this Such records shall be available for review by the purchaser.
section, must conform to the requirements of Table 1. 13.2 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
7.2.6 When agreed upon between the manufacturer and the all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy that the material is
purchaser, tested specimens or unbroken test bars, or both, being produced and furnished in accordance with the appli-
shall be saved by the manufacturer for a period of three months cable specification. Foundary inspection by the purchaser shall
after the date of the test report. not interfere unnecessarily with the manufacturer’s operations.
13.3 The purchaser reserves the right to perform any tests
8. Microstructural Requirements and inspections set forth in the specification where such tests
and inspections are deemed necessary to assure that compli-
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8.1 The microstructure of the malleable iron shall consist of ance with this specification is being met.
temper carbon nodules uniformly distributed in a ferritic matrix
and shall be free from excessive pearlite, massive carbides, and 14. Rejection and Rehearing
primary graphite.
14.1 Any casting or lot of castings failing to comply with
8.2 In referee work the metallographic practice recom-
the requirements of this specification may, where possible, be
mended in Test Method A 247 shall be followed.
reprocessed, retested, and reinspected. If the tests and inspec-
tions on the reprocessed casting(s) show compliance with this
9. Soundness Requirements
specification, the castings shall be acceptable; if they do not,
9.1 All castings, on visual examination shall be sound and they shall be rejected.
free from obvious shrinkage and porosity. 14.2 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
9.2 If the purchaser requires soundness tests to be per- this specification may be rejected. Rejection should be reported
formed, it shall be so stated in the purchase agreement and the to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
method and soundness requirements shall be detailed. dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer or
supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
TABLE 1 Tensile Test Requirements 15. Certification
Tensile strength, min, psi [MPa] 40 000 [275] 15.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, the
Yield strength, min, psi [MPa] 30 000 [200]
Elongation in 2 in. [50 mm], min, % 5 [5] purchaser shall be furnished certification that samples repre-
senting each lot have been either tested or inspected as directed

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 A 197/A 197M – 00 (2006)
in this specification and the requirements have been met. When shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s commercial
specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test practice. Packaging and package marking shall also be ad-
results shall be furnished. equate to identify the contents and to ensure acceptance and
safe delivery by the carrier for the mode of transportation
16. Packaging and Package Marking
employed.
16.1 Unless otherwise stated in the contract or order, the
cleaning, preservation, and packing of casting for shipment

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CASTINGS

X1.1 The mechanical properties of malleable iron castings ties within a given casting would be unfeasible, this standard
are influenced by a number of factors, that include the cooling test bar, made like any typical casting, should provide a
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rate during solidification, chemical composition, the heat practical approximation of the properties that can be expected
treatment, the design of the casting, section thickness, and the in any average sound malleable iron castings. When the
location and effectiveness of gates, risers, and chills. number of standard test bars to determine specification com-
pliance is insufficient, the manufacturer may wish to seek
X1.2 Because of the complexity of these factors in influ- purchaser approval by comparing tension test results from the
encing the properties of the final product, no precise quantita- casting in question with those of two other castings having the
tive relationship can be stated between the properties of the same design and test bar location and from which acceptable
iron in various locations of a given casting or between the standard bar results were obtained.
properties of a casting and those of a test specimen cast from
the same iron. When such a relationship is important and must X1.4 If malleable iron castings are welded, the microstruc-
be known for a specific application, it may be determined by ture of the iron is markedly affected, particularly in the
appropriate experimentation. heat-affected zone. Since this may adversely affect the proper-
ties of the casting, the welding of malleable iron castings
X1.3 The specimen specified in 7.2.1.1 as the standard should be done under strict metallurgical control, followed by
tensile test bar for malleable iron has a 5⁄8-in. [16 mm] diameter appropriate post-weld heat treatment, to minimize the substan-
test section that reasonably represents a typical section of the tial reductions in ductility, impact resistance, and machinability
general run of malleable iron castings. Furthermore, the initial that could result, particularly in the vicinity of the weldment.
freezing and malleable irons as homogeneous white iron, Nevertheless, it is generally considered inadvisable to join
together with the heat treatment that is inherent in the manu- castings to similar castings or to other materials, by fusion
facture of malleable iron, tends to reduce the section-sensitivity welding out in the field, or in manufactured assemblies,
effect. Therefore, where experimentation into precise proper- without fully testing the entire completed part.

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