Designation: B958/B958M − 08´1

Standard Specification for

Extra-High-Strength and Ultra-High-Strength Class A
Zinc–5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Core
Wire for Use in Overhead Electrical Conductors1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B958/B958M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

ε1 NOTE—Designation was corrected editorially in October 2013.

1. Scope B750 Specification for GALFAN (Zinc-5 % Aluminum-

1.1 This specification covers round, extra-high-strength, and Mischmetal) Alloy in Ingot Form for Hot-Dip Coatings
ultra-high-strength, Class A coated zinc–5 % aluminum- E1277 Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Zinc-5 %
mischmetal (Zn–5Al–MM) alloy-coated, steel core wire for Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloys by ICP Emission Spec-
use in Overhead Electrical Conductors. trometry
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
1.2 This specification covers wire of diameter from 0.0500 Determine Conformance with Specifications
to 0.1900 in. inclusive or 1.27 to 4.82 mm inclusive.
2.2 Other Standard:
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units GF-1 Standard Practice for Determination of Cerium and
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in Lanthanum Compositions in Galfan Alloy (5 % Al-0.04 %
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each La- 0.04 % Ce-Bal SHG Zn)3
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 3. Terminology
with the standard. 3.1 Abbreviations:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.1 MM—mischmetal
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.2 Zn–5Al–MM—zinc–5% aluminum mischmetal alloy
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.1 Lot, n—Unless otherwise specified in the contract or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. order, a lot shall consist of all coils of wire of the same
diameter and unit lengths submitted for inspection at the same
2. Referenced Documents
time.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 3.2.2 Product Code, n—Defines product coating type, coat-
A90/A90M Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on ing class, and strength grade.
Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings •Extra High Strength Grade Zn–5Al–MM, Class A Coated,
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing use Code MA4.
of Steel Products •Ultra High Strength Grade Zn–5Al–MM, Class A Coated,
A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi- use Code MA5.
cal Analysis of Steel Products
B193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor 4. Ordering Information
Materials
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
the following information:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
4.1.1 Quantity of each size,
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.05 on 4.1.2 Wire diameter in inches or millimeter (Section 13),
Conductors of Ferrous Metals. 4.1.3 Certification, if required (Section 18),
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published December 2008. DOI: 4.1.4 Test report, if required (Section 18), and
10.1520/B0958_B0958M-08E01.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO),
the ASTM website. 1822 NC Highway 54 East, Suite 120, Durham NC 27713, http://www.ilzro.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 B958/B958M − 08´1
4.1.5 Package Size (Section 19). TABLE 2 Grade 4 Extra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
4.1.6 Product Code Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
in. at 1% Tensile in 10 in.,
Extension, Strength, min %
5. Materials and Manufacture min, kpsi min, kpsi
0.0500 to 0.0899, incl 225 265 3.0
5.1 The base metal shall be steel produced by the open- 0.0900 to 0.1199, incl 220 260 3.0
hearth, electric furnace, or basic oxygen process. 0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 215 255 3.5
0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 210 250 3.5
5.2 The wire shall be cold drawn and coated with
Zn–5Al–MM alloy to produce the desired properties.
TABLE 3 Grade 4 Extra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
6. Chemical Composition [Metric]
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements prescribed Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
mm at 1% Tensile in 250 mm,
in Table 1. Extension, Strength, min %
6.2 Chemical analysis of the steel shall be conducted in min, MPa min, MPa
1.27 to 2.28, incl 1550 1825 3.0
accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology 2.29 to 3.04, incl 1515 1790 3.0
A751. 3.05 to 3.55, incl 1480 1760 3.5
3.56 to 4.82, incl 1450 1725 3.5
6.3 The ingot form of zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy
shall conform to Specification B750.
6.3.1 For a two-step coating operation where the first TABLE 4 Grade 5 Ultra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
coating is zinc (hot-dip galvanized or electro-galvanized), the Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
final bath may have an aluminum content of up to 7.2 %, to in. at 1% Tensile in 10 in.,
prevent depletion of the aluminum content of the bath. Extension, Strength, min %
min, kpsi min, kpsi
6.3.2 Method of Coating Material Analysis—Refer to Speci- 0.0500 to 0.0899, incl 230 285 3.0
fication B750. 0.0900 to 0.1199, incl 225 275 3.0
0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 220 270 3.5
0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 215 265 3.5
7. Tensile Test
7.1 The Zn–5Al–MM-coated steel core wire shall conform
to the tensile and elongation requirements prescribed in Table TABLE 5 Grade 5 Ultra-High-Strength Tensile Requirements
2, Table 3, Table 4, or Table 5 depending on which strength [Metric]
grade and unit base ordered. Specified Diameter, Stress Ultimate Elongation
mm at 1% Tensile in 250 mm,
7.2 Tensile tests shall be conducted in accordance with Test Extension, Strength, min %
Methods and Definitions A370, using the initial settings for min, MPa min, MPa
1.27 to 2.28, incl 1580 1965 3.0
determining stress at 1 % extension given in Table 6 or Table 2.29 to 3.04, incl 1550 1900 3.0
7 of this specification. 3.05 to 3.55, incl 1515 1860 3.5
3.56 to 4.82, incl 1480 1825 3.5
7.3 Test Specimens—The test specimens shall be free of
bends or kinks other than the curvature resulting from the usual
coiling operations. Any hand straightening necessary to permit TABLE 6 Initial Settings for Determining Stress at 1% Extension
insertion of the specimen in the jaws of the testing machine Specified Diameter, Initial Stress, Initial Setting
shall be performed by drawing between wood blocks or by in. kpsi of Extensometer,
some other equally satisfactory means. in./in.
0.0500 to 0.0899, incl 18 0.0005 (0.05 % extension)
7.4 The nominal diameter requested shall be used to deter- 0.0900 to 0.1199, incl 36 0.0010 (0.10 % extension)
mine the applicable strength specification from the tables. 0.1200 to 0.1900, incl 54 0.0015 (0.15 % extension)

8. Wrap Test
of at least eight turns around a cylindrical mandrel with a
8.1 The material, as represented by the test specimens, shall diameter equal to four times the specified diameter of the wire
not fracture when the Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated wire is under test, 65 %.
wrapped at a rate not exceeding 15 turns/min in a close helix
9. Coating Test
9.1 The Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated wire shall conform to the
coating requirements prescribed in Table 8 or Table 9.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
9.2 The coating test shall be conducted in accordance with
Element Composition, %
Carbon 0.50 to 1.00 Test Method A90/A90M.
Manganese 0.40 to 1.30
Phosphorus, max 0.035 10. Adherence of Coating Test
Sulfur, max 0.045
Silicon 0.15 to 0.60 10.1 The Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated wire shall be capable of
being wrapped in a close helix at a rate not exceeding 15

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 B958/B958M − 08´1
TABLE 7 Initial Settings for Determining Stress at 1% Extension TABLE 11 Mandrel Size for Adherence Test (Metric)
[Metric] Specified Wire Diameter, Ratio of Mandrel Diameter
Specified Diameter, Initial Stress, Initial Setting mm to Wire Diameter
mm MPa of Extensometer, 1.27 to 3.55, incl 4
mm/mm 3.56 to 4.82, incl 5
1.27 to 2.28, incl 125 0.0005 (0.05 % extension)
2.29 to 3.04, incl 250 0.0010 (0.10 % extension)
3.05 to 4.82, incl 375 0.0015 (0.15 % extension)

11.4 A welded section shall not be required to meet the

TABLE 8 Zn-5Al–MM Alloy Coating
stress at 1 % extension, elongation, and wrap tests.
Specified Diameter Area Density
of Coated Wire, in. of Zn–5Al–MM Alloy Coating
12. Density and Resistivity
min of Uncoated Wire Surface, 12.1 For the purpose of calculating mass per unit length,
oz/ft2
0.0500 to 0.0599, incl 0.60 cross sections, and so forth, the density of Zn–5Al–MM
0.0600 to 0.0749, incl 0.65 alloy-coated steel wire at 20°C shall be taken as 0.281 lb/in.3
0.0750 to 0.0899, incl 0.70 [7780 kg/m3].
0.0900 to 0.1039, incl 0.75
0.1040 to 0.1199, incl 0.80 12.2 A maximum resistivity of Zn–5Al–MM alloy-coated
0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 0.85
0.1400 to 0.1799, incl 0.90
steel wire is not guaranteed but a typical value of 0.19157
0.1800 to 0.1900, incl 1.00 Ωmm2/m may be used for calculating purposes. For conversion
to other units of conductivity or resistivity, refer to Test Method
B193.
TABLE 9 Zn–5Al–MM Alloy Coating [Metric]
Specified Diameter Area Density 13. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
of Coated Wire, mm of Zn–5Al–MM Alloy Coating
min of Uncoated Wire Surface,
13.1 The specified diameter of the Zn–5Al–MM alloy-
g/m2 coated wire from Section 4 shall be expressed in decimal
1.27 to 1.52, incl 183 fractions of an inch to four decimal places, or in millimeters to
1.53 to 1.90, incl 198
1.91 to 2.28, incl 214
two decimal places.
2.29 to 2.64, incl 229 13.2 To determine the applicable tolerance range from Table
2.65 to 3.04, incl 244
3.05 to 3.55, incl 259 12 or Table 13, round the specified diameter to the nearest
3.56 to 4.57, incl 274 0.001 in. (0.01 mm) in accordance with the rounding method of
4.58 to 4.82, incl 305 Practice E29.
13.3 Measure the largest and smallest diameter taken at the
same cross section rounded to the nearest 0.001 in. [0.01 mm]
turns/min around a cylindrical mandrel having a diameter as
in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29.
prescribed in Table 10 or Table 11, without cracking or flaking
Calculate the average of the two measurements. The calculated
the coating to such an extent that any Zn–5Al–MM alloy can
value shall not differ from the specified diameter by more than
be removed by rubbing with the bare fingers.
the applicable tolerance range shown in Table 12 or Table 13.
11. Joints
14. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
11.1 No joints shall be made in the finished wire.
14.1 The Zn–5Al–MM alloy coating shall be reasonably
11.2 Joints may be made at any stage of processing prior to smooth, continuous, of reasonably uniform thickness and free
final cold drawing by the electric butt-weld or flash-welding of imperfections not consistent with good commercial practice.
process.
11.3 Welding equipment and procedure shall be such that it
can be demonstrated that the ultimate tensile strength of a TABLE 12 Permissible Variations in Diameter of Zn–5Al–MM
Alloy-Coated Steel Wire
finished wire specimen containing the welded section shall be
not less than 96 % of the specified minimum stress at 1 % NOTE 1—It is recognized that the surface of coatings, particularly those
extension. produced by the hot-dip method of coating, are not perfectly smooth and
devoid of irregularities. If the tolerances shown in the table are rigidly
applied to such irregularities that are inherent to the product, unjustified
TABLE 10 Mandrel Size for Adherence Test rejections of wire that would actually be satisfactory for use could occur.
It is intended that these tolerances be used in gaging the wires where there
NOTE 1—Loosening or detachment during the adhesion test of is a minimum of such diameter irregularities due to hot dip coating.
superficial, small particles of Zn–5Al–MM alloy formed by mechanical
Specified Diameter, Permissible Variation,
polishing of the surface of the coated wire shall not be considered cause
in. in.
for rejection. Plus Minus
Specified Wire Diameter, Ratio of Mandrel Diameter 0.0500 to 0.0749, incl 0.0015 0.001
in. to Wire Diameter 0.0750 to 0.1199, incl 0.002 0.002
0.0500 to 0.1399, incl 4 0.1200 to 0.1399, incl 0.003 0.002
0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 5 0.1400 to 0.1900, incl 0.004 0.003

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 B958/B958M − 08´1
TABLE 13 Permissible Variations in Diameter of Zn–5Al–MM 16.3 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector represent-
Alloy-Coated Steel Wire [Metric] ing the purchaser all reasonable manufacturer’s facilities to
NOTE 1—It is recognized that the surface of coatings, particularly those satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
produced by the hot-dip method of coating, are not perfectly smooth and with this specification.
devoid of irregularities. If the tolerances shown in the table are rigidly
applied to such irregularities that are inherent to the product, unjustified
rejections of wire that would actually be satisfactory for use could occur. 17. Rejection and Rehearing
It is intended that these tolerances be used in gaging the wires where there 17.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
is a minimum of such diameter irregularities due to hot dip coating.
this specification shall be rejected. Rejection should be re-
Specified Diameter, Permissible Variation,
mm mm
ported to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In
Plus Minus case of dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer
1.27 to 2.28, incl 0.038 0.025 or supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
2.29 to 3.04, incl 0.051 0.051
3.05 to 3.55, incl 0.076 0.051
3.56 to 4.82, incl 0.102 0.076 18. Certification
18.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a
producer’s or supplier’s certification shall be furnished to the
15. Number of Tests and Retests
purchaser showing that the material was manufactured,
15.1 One test specimen shall be taken from each 5000 lb sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with this speci-
[2500 kg] or fraction thereof in the inspection lot. fication and has been found to meet the requirements. When
15.2 Each specimen shall be tested for compliance with specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test
Sections 7, 8, 10, and 13. At least half of the specimens shall results shall be furnished.
be tested for compliance with Section 9.
19. Product Marking
15.3 Should one or more of the test specimens fail any of
the tests specified, the nonconforming coil or coils may be 19.1 The unit lengths shall be as specified in the contract or
removed and the balance of the lot subjected to retests. For order. Length tolerances shall be 62 %, unless otherwise
retest purposes, two additional coils for each 5000 lb [2500 kg] specified by the purchaser. (See Explanatory Note 1.)
in the lot shall be sampled and tested for the property in which 19.2 Package dimensions, kind of package (coils, reels, or
the original sample failed to comply. reel-less coils), and quantity of wire in each package shall be
15.4 Should any of the retest specimens fail to meet the agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser.
properties specified, the lot represented by the test specimens
19.3 A durable tag shall be securely attached to each
shall be rejected.
package showing the nominal wire diameter, length, approxi-
15.5 Instead of rejecting the entire lot as provided in mate weight, purchaser’s order number, and manufacturer’s
Paragraph 15.4, the producer may test specimens from every name.
coil in the lot for the property in which failure occurred and
19.4 The starting end shall be identified.
reject only the nonconforming coils.
19.5 In case there is more than one piece in a package, the
16. Inspection length and position of each piece shall be shown on the tag.
16.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase
order, the manufacturer shall be responsible for the perfor- 20. Keywords
mance of all inspection and test requirements specified. 20.1 coated steel wire; extra high strength steel wire (Grade
16.2 All inspections and tests shall be made at the place of 4); ultra high strength steel wire (Grade 5); MA4; MA5; steel
manufacture unless otherwise especially agreed to by the core wire; steel wire; zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal alloy-
manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of the purchase. coated steel wire

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 B958/B958M − 08´1
EXPLANATORY NOTES

NOTE 1—Steel wire cannot be produced to exact specified lengths. purchase, have an agreed upon method to permit the acceptance of odd
Since welding of steel wires for use in electrical conductors is not lengths of steel wire. A typical agreement would be to permit lengths other
accepted, the random lengths of wire that result from normal production than the specified length for up to 5 % of the purchased quantity with any
can result in otherwise good product being rejected and scrapped. In order single piece being not less than 50 % of the specified length.
to reduce cost, the purchaser and manufacturer should, at the time of

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