This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: A961/A961M − 24a

Standard Specification for

Common Requirements for Steel Flanges, Forged Fittings,
Valves, and Parts for Piping Applications1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A961/A961M; 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.

1. Scope* the tables, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated
1.1 This specification covers a group of common require- in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
ments that shall apply to steel flanges, forged fittings, valves, system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
and parts for piping applications under any of the following values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
individual product specifications: with the standard. The inch-pound units shall apply, unless the
“M” designation (SI) of the product specification is specified in
Title of Specification ASTM Designation
the order.
Forgings, Carbon Steel, for Piping Components A105/A105M 1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Forgings, Carbon Steel, for General-Purpose Piping A181/A181M
Forged or Rolled Alloy-Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged A182/A182M dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Fittings, and Valves and Parts for High Temperature ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Service Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Forgings, Carbon and Low Alloy Steel, Requiring Notch A350/A350M
Toughness Testing for Piping Components mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Forged or Rolled 8 and 9 % Nickel Alloy A522/A522M Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts
for Low-Temperature Service
Forgings, Carbon and Alloy Steel, for Pipe Flanges, A694/A694M 2. Referenced Documents
Fittings, Valves, and Parts for High-Pressure
Transmission Service
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
Flanges, Forged, Carbon and Alloy Steel for Low A707/A707M A105/A105M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for
Temperature Service Piping Applications
Forgings, Carbon Steel, for Piping Components with A727/A727M
Inherent Notch Toughness
A181/A181M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings, for
Forgings, Titanium-Stabilized Carbon Steel, for A836/A836M General-Purpose Piping
Glass-Lined Piping and Pressure Vessel Service A182/A182M Specification for Forged or Rolled Alloy and
1.2 In case of conflict between a requirement of the indi- Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and Valves
vidual product specification and a requirement of this general and Parts for High-Temperature Service
requirement specification, the requirements of the individual A275/A275M Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination of
product specification shall prevail over those of this specifica- Steel Forgings
tion. A350/A350M Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel
1.3 By mutual agreement between the purchaser and the Forgings, Requiring Notch Toughness Testing for Piping
supplier, additional requirements may be specified (see Section Components
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
4.1.2). The acceptance of any such additional requirements
of Steel Products
shall be dependent on negotiations with the supplier and must
be included in the order as agreed upon between the purchaser A522/A522M Specification for Forged or Rolled 8 and 9%
and supplier. Nickel Alloy Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for
Low-Temperature Service
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units A694/A694M Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text and Forgings for Pipe Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for
High-Pressure Transmission Service
A700 Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.22 on Steel Forgings and Wrought Fittings for Piping Applications and Bolting
2
Materials for Piping and Special Purpose Applications. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2024. Published August 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at www.astm.org/contact. For Annual Book of
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2024 as A961/A961M – 24. ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
DOI: 10.1520/A0961_A0961M-24A. page on the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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

1
 A961/A961M − 24a
for Steel Products for Shipment 3.2.5 forging, n—the product of a substantially compressive
A707/A707M Specification for Forged Carbon and Alloy hot or cold plastic working operation that consolidates the
Steel Flanges for Low-Temperature Service material and produces the required shape.
A727/A727M Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for 3.2.5.1 Discussion—The plastic working must be performed
Piping Components with Inherent Notch Toughness by a forging machine, such as a hammer, press, or ring rolling
A751 Test Methods and Practices for Chemical Analysis of machine, and must deform the material to produce a wrought
Steel Products structure throughout the material cross section.
A836/A836M Specification for Titanium-Stabilized Carbon
3.2.6 longitudinal axis, n—an axis along the lengthwise
Steel Forgings for Glass-Lined Piping and Pressure Vessel
direction of the part, bar, pipe or tubing parallel to the direction
Service
of the greatest extension of the steel during rolling, extruding
A941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related
or forging.
Alloys, and Ferroalloys
A967/A967M Specification for Chemical Passivation Treat- 3.2.7 seamless tubing, n—a tubular product made without a
ments for Stainless Steel Parts welded seam.
A991/A991M Test Method for Conducting Temperature 3.2.7.1 Discussion—It is manufactured usually by hot work-
Uniformity Surveys of Furnaces Used to Heat Treat Steel ing the material, and if necessary, by subsequently cold
Products finishing the hot worked tubular product to produce the desired
A1058 Test Methods for Mechanical Testing of Steel shape, dimensions and properties.
Products—Metric
B880 Specification for General Requirements for Chemical 4. Ordering Information
Check Analysis Limits for Nickel, Nickel Alloys and
4.1 It is the purchaser’s responsibility to specify in the
Cobalt Alloys
purchase order all ordering information necessary to purchase
E165/E165M Practice for Liquid Penetrant Testing for Gen-
the needed material. Examples of such information include, but
eral Industry
are not limited to, the following:
E381 Method of Macroetch Testing Steel Bars, Billets,
Blooms, and Forgings 4.1.1 Quantity,
E709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing 4.1.2 Size and pressure class or dimensions, (tolerances and
E1916 Guide for Identification of Mixed Lots of Metals surface finishes should be included),
2.2 ASME Standard:3 4.1.3 Specification number with grade or class, or both, as
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code–Section IX applicable, and year/date,
2.3 Manufacturer’s Standardization Society Standard:4 4.1.4 Choice of testing track from the options listed in Test
SP 25 Standard Marking System of Valves, Fittings, Flanges Methods A1058 when material is ordered to an M suffix (SI
and Unions units) product standard. If the choice of test track is not
specified in the order, then the default ASTM track shall be
3. Terminology used as noted in Test Methods A1058,
4.1.5 Supplementary requirements, and
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other terms used in this
specification, refer to Terminology A941. 4.1.6 Additional requirements.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5. Melting Process
3.2.1 bar, n—a solid rolled or forged section that is long in
relationship to its cross sectional dimensions, with a relatively 5.1 Unless otherwise specified in the individual Product
constant cross section throughout its length and a wrought Specification, the steel shall be fully killed.
microstructure. 5.2 If a specific type of melting is required by the purchaser,
3.2.2 certifying organization, n—the company or associa- it shall be stated on the purchase order.
tion responsible for the conformance of, the marking of, and
5.3 The primary melting may incorporate separate degas-
the certification of the product to the specification require-
sing or refining and may be followed by secondary melting,
ments.
such as electroslag remelting or vacuum remelting. If second-
3.2.3 fitting, n—a component for non-bolted joints in piping ary melting is employed, the heat shall be defined as all of the
systems. ingot remelted from a single primary heat.
3.2.4 flange, n—a component for bolted joints used in
5.4 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be strand cast. When
piping systems.
steel of different grades is sequentially strand cast, identifica-
tion of the resultant transition material is required. The steel
3
producer shall remove the transition material by an established
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
International Headquarters, Two Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
procedure that positively separates the grades.
www.asme.org.
4
5.5 A sufficient discard shall be made from the source
Available from Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings
Industry (MSS), 127 Park St., NE, Vienna, VA 22180-4602, http://www.mss- material to secure freedom from injurious porosity and
hq.com. shrinkage, and undue segregation.

2
 A961/A961M − 24a
6. Manufacture 8. Chemical Requirements
6.1 The finished part shall be manufactured from a forging 8.1 Chemical Analysis—Samples for chemical analysis and
that is as close as practicable to the finished size or shape. methods of analysis shall be in accordance with Test Methods,
Alternative starting materials may be used, but with the Practices, and Terminology A751.
following exceptions and requirements. 8.2 Heat Analysis—An analysis of each heat of steel shall be
6.1.1 Bar—Flanges, elbows, return bends, tees, and header made by the steel manufacturer to determine the percentages of
tees shall not be machined directly from bar. Other parts up to, those elements specified in the individual product specification.
and including, NPS 4 can be machined from bar provided the If secondary melting processes are employed, the heat analysis
longitudinal axis of the part is parallel to the longitudinal axis shall be obtained from one remelted ingot, or the product of
of the bar. one remelted ingot, from each primary melt. The chemical
6.1.2 Wrought Seamless Pipe and Tubing—Flanges shall not analysis thus determined shall conform to the requirements of
be machined directly from seamless pipe or tubing. Other the individual product specification. Note that the product
hollow parts can be machined from seamless pipe and tubing analysis (check analysis) tolerances are not to be applied to the
provided the longitudinal axis of the part is parallel to the Heat Analysis requirements.
longitudinal axis of the pipe or tubing.
8.3 Product Analysis—If a product analysis is performed it
shall be in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and
7. Heat Treatment Terminology A751. Samples for analysis shall be taken from
7.1 Material requiring heat treatment shall be treated as midway between center and surface of solid parts, midway
specified in the individual product specification using the between inner and outer surfaces of hollow parts, midway
following procedures that are defined in more detail in Termi- between center and surface of full-size prolongations or from
nology A941. broken mechanical test specimens. The chemical composition
7.1.1 Annealing—Material shall be uniformly reheated to a thus determined shall conform to the limits of the product
temperature above the transformation range and, after holding specification, within the permissible variations of Table 1 of
for a sufficient time at this temperature, cooled slowly to a this specification.
temperature below the transformation range. 8.3.1 Limits on formula calculations involving elemental
7.1.2 Solution Annealing (or Solution Treat or Treatment)— contents shall apply only to the heat analysis, unless agreed
Material shall be heated to a temperature that causes the upon between supplier and purchaser. Where limits on formula
chromium carbides to go into solution, and then, quenched in calculations involving elemental contents apply to product
water or rapidly cooled by other means to prevent re- analysis by such agreement, permissible variations in the
precipitation. formula calculation results beyond the limits for the heat
7.1.3 Isothermal Annealing—Isothermal annealing shall analysis shall also be agreed upon between supplier and
consist of austenitizing a ferrous alloy, and then, cooling to and purchaser. Examples of such formula calculations include, but
holding within the range of temperature at which the austenite are not limited to, the following: carbon equivalent CE = C +
transforms to a relatively soft ferrite-carbide aggregate. Mn / 6 + (Cr + Mo + V) / 5 + (Ni + Cu) / 15; J factor = (Mn
7.1.4 Normalizing—Material shall be uniformly reheated to + Si) × (P + Sn) × 104; or requirements for specific elemental
a temperature above the transformation range, and balance or sufficiency, typically related to Ti, Nb, or Al and
subsequently, cooled in air at room temperature. interstitials C and N, such as Nb = 5 × C minimum.
7.1.5 Tempering and Post-Weld Heat Treatment—Material 9. Mechanical Requirements
shall be reheated to the prescribed temperature below the
transformation range, held at temperature for the greater of 30 9.1 Method of Mechanical Tests—All tests shall be con-
min or 1 h/in. [25.4 mm] of thickness at the thickest section and ducted in accordance with Test Methods and Definitions A370
cooled in still air. if the inch-pound units are specified or Test Methods A1058 if
the M suffix (SI units) is specified.
7.1.6 Stress Relieving—Material shall be uniformly heated
to the selected stress relieving temperature, held long enough 9.2 For the purpose of determining conformance to the
to reduce stresses and then cooled at a rate that will result in the product specification requirements, specimens shall be ob-
properties required for the material grade and minimize the tained from the production forgings, or from separately forged
development of new residual stresses. The temperature shall test blanks prepared from the stock used to make the finished
not vary from the selected temperature by more than 625 °F product. In either case, mechanical test specimens shall not be
[614 °C]. removed until after all heat treatment is complete. If repair
7.1.7 Quench and Temper—Material shall be fully austen- welding is performed, test specimens shall not be removed
itized and quenched immediately in a suitable liquid medium. until after post-weld heat treatment is complete, unless permit-
The quenched material shall be reheated to a minimum ted by the product specification. The locations from which test
temperature of 1100 °F [590 °C] and cooled in still air. specimens are removed shall be in accordance with the Product
7.1.8 Same Heat Treat Cycle—Heat treat loads at the same Specification.
temperature, equivalent soak times as appropriate for the 9.3 If separately forged test blanks are used, they shall be of
maximum section size on the respective load and equivalent the same heat of steel, be subjected to substantially the same
cooling methods. reduction and working as the production forging they

3
 A961/A961M − 24a
TABLE 1 Product Analysis TolerancesA represent, be heat treated in the same furnace charge except as
Element Limit or Maximum of Tolerance Over the provided for in the reduced testing provisions of the product
Specified Range, Wt % Maximum Limit or
Under the Minimum
specification, under the same conditions as the production
Limit forging, and be of the same nominal thickness as the maximum
Carbon to 0.010, incl. 0.002 heat treated thickness of the production forging.
over 0.010 to 0.030, incl. 0.005
over 0.030 to 0.20 incl. 0.01 9.4 When parts are machined from bar or seamless tubing,
over 0.20 to 0.80, incl. 0.02 as permitted in 6.1.1 and 6.1.2, the mechanical properties may
Manganese to 1.00 incl. 0.03
over 1.00 to 3.00 incl. 0.04
be determined for the parts from the starting material, if the
over 3.00 to 6.00, incl. 0.05 parts have not been subjected to any subsequent thermal
over 6.00 to 10.00, incl. 0.06 processing since the time of mechanical test.
Phosphorous to 0.040, incl. 0.005
over 0.040 to 0.20, incl. 0.010
Sulfur to 0.040 incl. 0.005 10. Hardness Requirements
over 0.040 to 0.20, incl. 0.010
over 0.20 to 0.50, incl. 0.020 10.1 The part shall conform to the hardness requirements
Silicon to 1.00, incl. 0.05 prescribed in the product specification.
over 1.00 to 3.00 incl. 0.10
over 3.00 to 7.00, incl. 0.15 10.2 Sampling for hardness testing shall conform to the
Chromium 0.90 and under 0.03 product specification.
over 0.90 to 2.10, incl. 0.05
over 2.10 to 4.00, incl. 0.07
over 4.00 to 10.00 incl. 0.10 11. Tensile Requirements
over 10.00 to 15.00 incl. 0.15
over 15.00 to 20.00 incl. 0.20 11.1 Sampling for tensile testing shall conform to the
over 20.00 to 30.00 incl. 0.25 Product Specification.
Nickel to 1.00 incl. 0.03
over 1.00 to 5.00 incl. 0.07 11.2 When the dimensions of the material to be tested will
over 5.00 to 10.00 incl. 0.10
over 10.00 to 20.00 incl. 0.15
permit, the tension test specimens shall be machined to
over 20.00 to 30.00 incl. 0.20 standard round 2-in. gauge length tension test specimen de-
over 30.00 to 40.00, incl. 0.25 scribed in Test Methods and Definitions A370 if inch-pound
Molybdenum to 0.20 incl. 0.01
over 0.20 to 0.60 incl. 0.03
units are specified or the standard gauge length tension test
over 0.60 to 2.00 incl. 0.05 specimens described in the applicable track of Test Methods
over 2.00 to 7.00 incl. 0.10 A1058 if SI units are specified.
Titanium to 1.15, incl. 0.05
Niobium (Columbium) to 0.14, incl. 0.02 11.3 In the case of small sections, which will not permit
over 0.14 to 5.50 0.05 taking of the standard test specimen described in 11.2, the
Tantalum to 0.10 incl. 0.02
Copper to 0.50, incl. 0.03 subsize round specimen shall be machined. The tension test
over 0.50 to 1.00, incl. 0.05 specimen shall be as large as feasible.
over 1.00 to 5.00, incl. 0.10
Cobalt 0.05 to 0.25, incl. 0.01B 11.4 For strip specimens, widths of 1 1⁄2 in. [40 mm] to 1⁄2 in.
0.25 to 5.00, incl. 0.07 [12.5 mm] are acceptable. The elongation percentages listed in
Nitrogen to 0.02, incl. 0.005
over 0.02 to 0.19 incl. 0.01 the product specifications apply regardless of the width.
over 0.19 to 0.25 0.02
over 0.25 to 0.35 0.03
11.5 The results of the tensile tests shall conform to the
over 0.35 to 0.45 0.04 tensile property requirements prescribed in the product speci-
over 0.45 0.05 fication.
Aluminum to 0.15, incl. –0.005
+0.01 11.5.1 If an elongation requirement is determined by a
over 0.15 to 0.50, incl. 0.05 formula in the product specification, the calculated result shall
over 0.50 to 0.80, incl. 0.07 be rounded to the nearest 1 %. When the digit to the right of the
Vanadium to 0.10 incl. 0.01
over 0.10 to 0.25 incl. 0.02 decimal place (tenths) is 5, the calculated result shall be
over 0.25 to 0.50, incl. 0.03 rounded up (for example, increase the whole number by 1).
minimum value specified, 0.01
under minimum limit only 11.6 If the results of tension tests do not conform to the
Cerium to 0.20, incl. 0.01 requirements specified in the product specification, a retest
Selenium to 0.35, incl. 0.001
Tungsten to 0.50, incl. 0.02
shall be permitted on twice the number of test specimens as
over 0.50 to 1.00, incl. 0.03 originally tested as outlined in the test methods specified
over 1.00 to 2.00, incl. 0.05 herein. When any retest specimen does not conform to the
over 2.00 to 4.00, incl. 0.06
Lead to 0.35, incl. 0.03 product specification requirements for the characteristic in
Zirconium to 0.01, incl. 0.005 question, the lot represented by that specimen shall be rejected
Boron to 0.015, incl. 0.0005 or reheat treated in accordance with Section 7.
C
Tin to 0.010, incl.
Arsenic to 0.010, incl. C 11.6.1 If the results of any tension test specimen are less
Antimony to 0.003, incl. C
than specified because a flaw becomes evident in the test
A
This table does not apply to heat analysis. specimen during testing, a replacement test specimen shall be
B
Product analysis limits for cobalt under 0.05 % have not been established and allowed provided that the defect is not attributable to ruptures,
the producer should be consulted for those limits.
C
No over tolerance allowed. cracks, or flakes in the steel.

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 A961/A961M − 24a
12. Impact Requirements 15.2.2 The cleaned parts shall be protected to prevent
12.1 The part shall conform to the impact requirements recontamination.
prescribed in the product specification. 15.2.2.1 Exterior and interior surfaces of carbon, low and
intermediate alloy steel fittings shall have a corrosion protec-
12.2 Sampling for impact testing shall conform to the tive coating. Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, the
Product Specification. type of surface protection shall be at the option of the
12.3 Notched-bar impact specimens shall be simple-beam, manufacturer.
Charpy-type A with a V-notch in accordance with Test Methods 15.2.2.2 Stainless steel and nickel alloy fittings need not be
and Definitions A370 if the inch-pound units are specified or coated. Unmachined surfaces of stainless steel fittings shall be
Test Methods A1058 if the M suffix (SI Units) standard is passivated by exposure to an acid bath, or electropolished.
specified. Standard specimens 10 by 10 mm in cross section 15.2.3 Protective coatings on parts subsequently subjected
shall be used unless the material to be tested is of insufficient to socket welds or butt welds shall be suitable for welding
thickness, in which case the largest obtainable standard subsize without removal of the coating. Threaded fittings shall be
impact specimens shall be used. When the size or shape of the capable of installation without the removal of the coating.
finished part is insufficient to permit obtaining the smallest
15.2.4 When specified in the purchase order, parts may be
standard subsize impact specimens, an impact test by the part
furnished in the as-formed or as-forged condition.
manufacturer will not be required.
12.4 If the average impact energy value meets the product 15.3 The parts shall be free of injurious imperfections as
specification requirements, but the energy value for one speci- defined below. At the discretion of the inspector representing
men is below the specified minimum value for individual the purchaser, finished parts shall be subject to rejection if
specimens, a retest is permitted. This shall consist of two surface imperfections acceptable under 15.5 are not scattered,
impact specimens from a location adjacent to, and on either but appear over a large area.
side of, the specimen that failed. Each of the retested speci- 15.4 Depth of Injurious Imperfections—Selected typical
mens must exhibit an energy value equal to or greater than the linear and other typical surface imperfections shall be explored
minimum average value required by the product specification. for depth. When the depth encroaches on the minimum
specified wall thickness of the finished part, such imperfections
13. Hydrostatic Test Requirements shall be considered injurious.
13.1 Parts manufactured under this specification shall be 15.5 Imperfections Not Classified as Injurious—Surface
capable of passing a hydrostatic test compatible with the rating imperfections not classified as injurious shall be treated as
of the finished part. Such tests shall be conducted by the follows:
supplier only when the hydrostatic test supplementary require- 15.5.1 Seams, laps, tears, or slivers not deeper than 5 % of
ment in the product specification is invoked by the purchaser. the actual wall thickness at the point of interest or 1⁄16 in. [1.6
mm], whichever is less, are acceptable. If deeper, these
14. Rework imperfections require removal, and shall be removed by
14.1 When one or more representative test specimens or machining or grinding.
retest specimens do not conform to the requirements specified 15.5.2 Mechanical marks or abrasions and pits shall be
in the product specification for the tested characteristic, the acceptable without grinding or machining provided the depth
product may be reworked according to the following require- does not exceed 1⁄16 in. [1.6 mm]. If such imperfections are
ments: deeper than 1⁄16 in. [1.6 mm] but do not encroach on the
14.1.1 If previously tested in the unheat treated condition, minimum wall thickness of the forging they shall be removed
the product may be reworked by heat treatment, and subse- by machining or grinding to sound metal.
quently retested, in accordance with the product specification. 15.5.3 The wall thickness at the point of grinding, or at
14.1.2 If previously tested in the heat treated condition, the imperfections not required to be removed, shall be determined
product may be reworked by reheat treatment, and subse- by deducting the amount removed by grinding, from the
quently retested, in accordance with the product specification. nominal finished wall thickness of the part. In any case, the
wall thickness shall not be less than the specified minimum
15. Surface Finish, Appearance, and Corrosion value.
Protection
15.1 The parts shall conform to the dimensions, tolerances, 16. Repair by Welding
and finish as specified on the purchaser’s drawing or order and 16.1 The purchaser may require the supplier to submit
the individual ASTM product specification. proposed weld repairs for approval by invoking the appropriate
15.2 The finished parts shall be cleaned to remove all scale supplementary requirement from the applicable product speci-
and processing compounds prior to the final surface examina- fication in the purchase order. If the purchaser does not require
tion. The cleaning process shall not injure the surface finish, prior approval of proposed weld repairs, these repairs shall be
material properties, or the metallurgical structure. permitted at the discretion of the supplier. All weld repairs shall
15.2.1 The surface finish shall allow the detection of imper- be performed in accordance with the following limitations and
fections that can be disclosed by visual inspection. requirements.

5
 A961/A961M − 24a
16.1.1 The welding procedure and welders shall be qualified 19.4 A certificate printed from or used in electronic data
in accordance with Section IX of the ASME Boiler and interchange (EDI) transmission shall be regarded as having the
Pressure Vessel Code. same validity as a counterpoint printed in the certifier’s facility.
16.1.2 Defects shall be completely removed prior to weld- The content of the EDI transmitted document shall conform to
ing by chipping or grinding to sound metal. Removal of these any existing EDI agreement between the purchaser and sup-
defects shall be verified by magnetic particle inspection in plier.
accordance with Test Method A275/A275M or Guide E709 for 19.5 Not withstanding the absence of a signature, the
the ferritic, martensitic, or ferritic/austenitic grades, or by organization submitting either a printed certificate or an EDI
liquid penetrant inspection in accordance with Test Method transmitted certificate is responsible for the content of the
E165/E165M for ferritic, martensitic, or austenitic grades. report.
16.1.3 After repair welding, the welded area shall be ground
smooth to the original contour and shall be completely free of 20. Marking
defects as verified by magnetic particle or liquid penetrant 20.1 Each piece shall be legibly marked in a location as not
inspection, as applicable. to injure the usefulness of the forgings with the information in
16.1.4 Repair by welding shall not exceed 10 % of the 20.1.1 – 20.1.6.
surface area of the part, or 331⁄3 % of the wall thickness of the 20.1.1 Product specification number and grade. Where there
finished product, or 3⁄8 in. [10 mm] deep at the location of the are not multiple grades in the product specification, grade
repair. marking is not required.
16.2 The weld repair shall conform to 9.2 and to the 20.1.2 Class, if applicable.
additional requirements, if any, invoked in the Product Speci- 20.1.3 Certifying organization’s name or symbol.
fication. 20.1.4 Heat number or heat identification.
20.1.5 Size.
17. Inspection 20.1.6 Service rating, if applicable.
17.1 The supplier shall afford the purchaser’s inspector all 20.2 Dual or multiple markings with the product specifica-
reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the material tion number, grade or marking symbol, and class is acceptable
is being produced and furnished in accordance with the general provided the material meets all the requirements with which it
specification and the applicable product specification. Site is marked. It is not required to mark the product with the
inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere unnecessarily specification year and date of issue. When size or shape does
with the supplier’s operations. not permit the inclusion of all the required marking as
described, see 20.3. Manufacturer can also choose the use of
18. Rejection and Rehearing tags, box labels, etc. for identification when per piece marking
18.1 Samples representing material rejected by the pur- is not practical due to size or shape.
chaser shall be preserved until disposition of the claim has been 20.3 The Standard Marking System of Valves, Fittings,
agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser. Flanges and Unions MSS SP 25 shall be followed except the
18.2 Material that shows injurious defects subsequent to its word “steel” shall not be substituted for the specification grade.
acceptance at the manufacturer’s works will be rejected, and 20.4 Product marking shall conform to the additional
the manufacturer shall be notified. requirements, if any, invoked in the product specification or
purchase order.
19. Certification
21. Packaging, Marking and Loading for Shipment
19.1 A test report and a certificate of compliance are
required. 21.1 Packaging, marking, and loading for shipment shall be
in accordance with Practices A700.
19.2 Test reports shall include the product specification
number and year/date of issue, the results of all tests required 22. Keywords
by this specification, and the purchaser order, and shall be 22.1 alloy steel; carbon steel; fittings; flanges; forgings;
traceable to the part represented. general requirement; piping applications; pressure containing
19.3 A single document, containing the test report informa- parts; stainless steel; temperature service applications—
tion and certificate of compliance information may be used. elevated; temperature service applications—high; valves

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 A961/A961M − 24a
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

These requirements shall not be considered unless specified in the order, in which event, the
supplementary requirements specified shall be made at the place of manufacture, unless otherwise
agreed upon, at the purchaser’s expense. The test specified shall be witnessed by the purchaser’s
inspector before shipment of material, if so specified in the order. The rationale for beginning the
section numbering with S50 is to eliminate the possibility of confusion with supplementary
requirements existing in individual product specifications.

S50. Macroetch Test S55. Magnetic Particle Examination

S50.1 A sample forging shall be sectioned and etched to S55.1 All accessible surfaces of the finished forging shall be
show flow lines and internal imperfections. The test shall be examined by a magnetic particle method. The method shall be
conducted according to Method E381. in accordance with Test Method A275/A275M. Acceptance
S50.2 Acceptance limits shall be as agreed upon between limits shall be as agreed upon between the certifying organi-
the certifying organization and the purchaser. zation and the purchaser.
S51. Heat Analysis S56. Liquid Penetrant Examination
S51.1 When secondary melting processes are employed, a S56.1 All accessible surfaces shall be examined by a liquid
heat analysis shall be obtained from each remelted ingot, or the penetrant method in accordance with Test Method E165/
product of each remelted ingot, from each primary melt. The E165M. Acceptance limits shall be as agreed upon between the
chemical analysis thus determined shall conform to the require- certifying organization and the purchaser.
ments of the individual product specification. Note that the
product analysis (check analysis) tolerances are not to be S57. Hydrostatic Testing
applied to the heat analysis requirements. S57.1 A hydrostatic test at a pressure agreed upon between
S52. Product Analysis the certifying organization and the purchaser shall be applied
by the certifying organization.
S52.1 A product analysis shall be made from one randomly
selected forging representing each heat. The results shall S58. Repair Welding
comply with the product analysis limits listed in the applicable
product specification. For Specification A182/A182M grades S58.1 No repair welding shall be permitted without prior
of F20 and F58, results shall comply with the product analysis approval of the purchaser. If permitted, the restrictions of
limits listed in Specification B880. Section 16 shall apply.
S52.2 If the analysis fails to comply, each forging shall be S59. Electropolished Austenitic and Ferritic–Austenitic
checked or the lot rejected. All results shall be reported to the Grades
purchaser.
S59.1 All electropolished austenitic and ferritic–austenitic
S53. Tension Tests products shall be of a cleanliness in accordance with Specifi-
S53.1 In addition to the requirements of Section 9, one cation A967/A967M.
tension specimen shall be obtained from a representative S59.2 Details concerning which test method of Specifica-
forging from each heat at a location agreed upon between the tion A967/A967M are to be a matter of agreement between the
certifying organization and the purchaser. The results of the test manufacturer and the purchaser.
shall comply with the tensile property requirements listed in
the applicable product specification and shall be reported to the S60. Positive Material Identification Examination
purchaser. S60.1 Forgings shall receive positive material identification
to ensure that the purchaser is receiving forgings of the correct
S54. Impact Tests material grade prior to shipment of the forgings. This exami-
S54.1 In addition to the requirements of Section 9, three nation is a method to ensure that no material grade mix-up has
CVN impact energy specimens shall be obtained from a occurred during the manufacturing and marking of the forg-
representative forging from each heat at a location agreed upon ings.
between the certifying organization and the purchaser. S60.2 Forgings shall receive a positive material identifica-
S54.2 The purchaser shall supply the impact test tempera- tion examination in accordance with Guide E1916.
ture and the required minimum requirements for the test, S60.3 The quantity examined shall be 100 % of the forg-
including the lowest single absorbed energy for a single ings.
specimen if an average absorbed energy value is required. The S60.4 All forgings that are not of the correct material grade
lateral expansion values and the fracture appearance of the shall be rejected.
specimens as percentage ductile fracture shall be reported for S60.5 The method of forging marking after examination
information if these parameters are not part of the acceptance shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the
requirements. purchaser.

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 A961/A961M − 24a
S61. Heat Treatment in the Working Zone of a Surveyed S62.5 The minimum C content based on heat analysis shall
Furnace be 0.18 wt %. The maximum C content shall be as specified in
S61.1 Material shall be heat treated in the working zone of the appropriate material specification.
a furnace that has been surveyed in accordance with Test S62.6 Repair welds shall not be made with E60XX elec-
Method A991/A991M, provided that such working zone was trodes. Use of E70XX electrodes is recommended, and the
established using a variation of 25 °F [14 °C] or less from the resulting weld chemistry should meet the same chemistry
furnace set point. criteria as the base metal as listed above.
S61.2 The test report shall indicate that S61 applies. S62.7 In addition to the requirements of product marking of
the specification, a “HF” stamp or marking shall be provided
S62. Requirements for Carbon Steel Products for Concen- on each component to identify that component complies with
trated Hydrofluoric Acid Service this supplementary requirement.
S62.1 The maximum carbon equivalent based on heat
analysis shall be as follows: S63 Pressure Equipment Directive—Mechanical Testing
Maximum section thickness less than or equal CE maximum = 0.43 S63.1 Charpy impact testing shall be done at the lowest
to 1 in.
Maximum section thickness greater than 1 in. CE maximum = 0.45
scheduled operating temperature but not higher than 68 °F [20
°C].
S62.2 Determine the carbon equivalent (CE) as follows:
S63.2 The frequency of impact testing shall be the same as
CE 5 C1Mn⁄61 ~ C r 1 M o 1 V ! ⁄51 ~ N i 1 C u ! ⁄15 (1) that specified in the product specification for the tension test,
S62.3 Vanadium and Niobium maximum content based on with three individual Charpy test specimens for each required
heat analysis shall be: tension test.
Maximum Vanadium = 0.02 wt %
S63.3 The minimum impact absorption energy for the
Maximum NiobiumA = 0.02 wt % Charpy test specimen shall be at least 20 ft/lb [27 J].
Maximum Vanadium plus NiobiumA = 0.03 wt % S63.4 The minimum elongation in the tension test shall be
A
measured on a gauge length of five times the diameter of the
Niobium = Columbium
test specimen, and it shall not be less than 14 %.
S62.4 The maximum composition based on heat analysis of S63.5 Impact and tension test results shall be included in the
Ni + Cu shall be 0.15 wt %. product certification.

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW MATERIALS

A1.1 New materials may be proposed for inclusion in A1.1.3 The application shall be accompanied by test data as
specifications referencing this specification of general require- required by the applicable specification. Test data from a
ments subject to the following conditions: minimum of three test lots, as defined by the specification, each
A1.1.1 Application for the addition of a new grade to a from a different heat, shall be furnished.
specification shall be made to the chair of the subcommittee A1.1.4 The application shall provide recommendations for
that has jurisdiction over that specification.
all requirements appearing in the applicable specification.
A1.1.2 The application shall be accompanied by a statement
from at least one user indicating that there is a need for the new A1.1.5 The application shall state whether or not the new
grade to be included in the applicable specification. grade is covered by patent.

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 A961/A961M − 24a

A2. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MATERIALS FROM OTHER A01 OR B02.07 SPECIFICATIONS

A2.1 Wrought materials that are already covered by another A2.1.2 The chemical requirements, the specified mechani-
A01 or B02.07 specification may be proposed for inclusion in cal properties, and the heat treatment requirements of the grade
specifications referencing this specification of general require- being added shall be the same as those for the grade in the A01
ments subject to the following conditions: or B02.07 specification in which the grade is presently covered.
A2.1.1 Application for the addition of a grade that is already A2.1.3 The application shall provide the recommendations
covered in another A01 or B02.07 specification shall be made for all requirements appearing in the applicable specification.
to the chair of the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over that A2.1.4 The application shall state whether or not the grade
specification. is covered by patent.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue
(A961/A961M – 24) that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved Aug. 15, 2024.)

(1) Added 11.4 to clarify elongation requirements for strip (2) Added 11.5.1 to clarify rounding of elongation require-
specimens with different widths. ments determined by a formula.

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue
(A961/A961M – 23) that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved May 1, 2024.)

(1) Revised Section 20 on marking.

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue
(A961/A961M – 21) that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved May 1, 2023.)

(1) Added definition of longitudinal axis to 3.2.6.

(2) Revised 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 to clarify what parts may be
machined from bar or pipe or tubing.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
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make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

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