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Designation: A668/A668M − 19 American Association State

Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: M 102M/M 102

Standard Specification for

Steel Forgings, Carbon and Alloy, for General Industrial
Use1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A668/A668M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-

1.1 This specification covers untreated and heat-treated dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
carbon and alloy steel forgings for general industrial use. Other ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ASTM specifications for forgings are available for specific Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
applications such as pressure vessels, railroad use, turbine mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
generators, gearing, and others involving special temperature Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
requirements.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 Hot-rolled or cold finished bars are not within the scope
of this specification. 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
iTeh Standards
1.3 Six classes of carbon steel and seven classes of alloy
steel forgings are listed (see Section 7), which indicates their
A275/A275M Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination of
Steel Forgings

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required heat treatments, as well as mechanical properties.
1.4 Provision, with the suffix H for certification and
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products
A388/A388M Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of Steel
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marking, for the supply of forgings after hardness testing only.
1.5 Supplementary requirements, including those in Speci-
Forgings
A788/A788M Specification for Steel Forgings, General Re-
fication A788/A788M, of an optional nature are provided. quirements
ASTM A668/A668M-19
These shall apply only when specified by the purchaser. E290 Test Methods for Bend Testing of Material for Ductil-
ity
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1.6 Appendix X1 lists the current classes corresponding to E340 Practice for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
the various classes of Specifications A235, A237, and A243,
which have been superseded by this specification. 3. Terminology
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.1 The terminology section of Specification A788/A788M
are to be regarded separately as standard; within the text and
is applicable to this specification.
tables, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be 3.2.1 class—a description of steel forgings based on heat
used independently of the other, and values from the two treatment, mechanical properties and composition.
systems shall not be combined.
3.2.2 controlling cross section thickness (TC)—the diameter
1.8 Unless the order specifies the applicable “M” of the largest theoretical sphere which can be inscribed within
specification, the forgings shall be furnished to the inch-pound the volume of the forging.
units.
3.2.3 TP—designates prolongations which have a size other
than the controlling cross section thickness (TC).
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
2
A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2019. Published May 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as A668/A668M–17. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/A0668_A0668M–19. 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

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 A668/A668M − 19
4. Ordering Information and General Requirements 7. Mechanical Properties
4.1 Material supplied to this specification shall conform to 7.1 Tensile Requirements:
the requirements of Specification A788/A788M which outlines 7.1.1 The material shall conform to the tensile and hardness
additional ordering information, manufacturing requirements, properties prescribed in Table 2. See Test Methods and
testing and retesting methods and procedures, marking, Definitions A370.
certification, product analysis variations and additional supple- 7.1.2 All Forgings—The dimensions of the controlling cross
mentary requirements. section thickness (TC) of the forging at time of heat treatment
4.1.1 If the requirements of this specification are in conflictdetermine the mechanical properties to be met within each
with the requirements of Specification A788/A788M, the class (see Table 2) except as noted in 7.1.4.2.
requirements of this specification shall prevail. 7.1.3 Number of Tests—Unless the purchaser specifies that
4.2 When this specification is to be applied to an inquiry, forgings shall be furnished in accordance with the requirements
contract, or order, the purchaser should furnish the following of 7.3, the number of tension tests performed shall be as
information: follows:
4.2.1 The ordering information required by Specification 7.1.3.1 For all classes of heat-treated forgings with as-heat
A788/A788M, treated weights (excluding test prolongations) less than 5000 lb
4.2.2 The class of forging desired as listed in Table 1, [2250 kg] each, one test shall be made from each controlling
cross section thickness (TC) represented in each heat and
4.2.3 Location(s) of areas of significant loading if test
heat-treating charge. For untreated forgings (Class A) weighing
specimens are to be located in accordance with 7.1.4.5,
less than 5000 lb [2250 kg] each, one test from each heat shall
4.2.4 The options which may be selected as found in 5.3.2,
be made.
6.1, and 7.3, and
7.1.3.2 On all classes, for forgings with as-heat treated
4.2.5 Any applicable supplementary requirements.
weights (excluding test prolongations) of 5000 lb [2250 kg] or
more, at least one test from each forging shall be made.
5. Materials and Manufacture
7.1.3.3 On all classes, for forgings with as-heat treated
5.1 Discard—Sufficient discard shall be made from each
iTeh Standards
weights (excluding test prolongations) of 7000 lb [3200 kg] or
ingot to secure freedom from piping and undue segregation. more, two tests will be taken: on ring and disk forgings 180°
5.2 Forging Process: apart; on shafts and long hollow cylinders (over 80 in. [2.0 m]
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5.2.1 The forging shall be brought as close as practical to
finished shape and size by hot mechanical work.
in length excluding test material), one from each end and offset
180°. Shafts and cylinder forgings 80 in. [2.0 m] or less in

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5.2.2 Supplementary Requirements S2, S14, and S15 may length (excluding test material) may have both tests located at
be specified by the purchaser to satisfy concerns about the one end 180° apart.
utility of the proposed forging. 7.1.3.4 When forgings are made in multiple as a single
forging, that is, forged as one piece and divided after heat
5.3 Heat Treatment: ASTM A668/A668M-19
treatment, the multiple forging shall be considered as one
5.3.1 All forgings, other than Class A, shall be heat treated.
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forging, and the number of tests required shall be as designated
See Section 7. in 7.1.3.1, 7.1.3.2, and 7.1.3.3.
5.3.2 Where options exist within a class, the choice of heat 7.1.4 Prolongations:
treatment shall be left to the discretion of the manufacturer, 7.1.4.1 A sufficient number of the forgings shall have
unless the purchaser specifies one of the available options. prolongations for extracting specimens for testing. Examples
of test locations for various forging configurations are shown in
6. Chemical Composition Figs. 1 and 2.
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements prescribed NOTE 1—Figures provided demonstrate the concept of controlling cross
in Table 1. section thickness (TC) but do not encompass all possible test prolongation
configurations which meet the requirements of Section 7.
6.2 The choice of chemical composition is left to the
discretion of the manufacturer, unless otherwise specified by 7.1.4.2 For all forgings of non-uniform cross section in
the purchaser. See Appendix X2. classes A, B, C, D, E, G and H: The prolongation(s) may be
extensions of sections other than the controlling cross section
6.3 Heat Analysis: thickness (TC), that is TP ≠ TC. In this case, the dimension of
6.3.1 An analysis of each heat shall be made by the TP shall determine the mechanical properties to be met within
manufacturer. each class. When TP ≠ TC, TP shall not have more reduction
6.4 Product Analysis—An analysis may be made by the than the smallest cross section to be qualified.
purchaser according to the requirements of Specification A788/ (1) For annealed, normalized, or normalized and tempered
A788M. If a standard grade has been used to manufacture the forgings in classes A, B, C, D, E, G and H the center of the
forging the permissible variations in composition of Specifi- gage length axis of tension test specimens shall be 1⁄4 the
cation A788/A788M shall apply. If a non-standard grade of controlling cross section thickness (TC) from one surface
steel has been used, and composition limits have not been except as noted in 7.1.4.2 (2).
supplied, the product analysis can be used only to confirm the (2) If the prolongation thickness (TP) is less than the
type of steel supplied. controlling cross section thickness (TC) the center of the gage

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 A668/A668M − 19
length axis of the tension test shall be ¼ of the prolongation 7.2.3 The average value of the hardness readings on each
thickness (TP) from one surface. forging shall fall within the hardness ranges specified in Table
7.1.4.3 For quenched forgings in Classes F, J, K, L, M, and 2. The permissible variation in hardness in any forging over
N, the center of the gage length axis of the tension test 250 lb [110 kg] shall not exceed 30 Brinell Hardness for
specimen shall be at a minimum 1⁄4 (TC) from one quenched Classes A through E, 40 Brinell Hardness for Classes F through
surface and 31⁄2 in. [90 mm] from the nearest second surface. J, 50 Brinell Hardness for Classes K through N.
7.1.4.4 In place of prolongations, the manufacturer may: (1) 7.2.4 At least two hardness tests shall be taken on each flat
elect to submit a representative forging(s) to represent each test face of disks, rings, and hollow forgings over 250 lb [110 kg]
lot; in this event, the representative forging must be made from approximately at mid-radius for disk forgings and mid-wall for
the same heat of steel, must not receive more reduction than the ring and hollow forgings. When it is impractical to check
forging it represents, must receive the same type of hot hardness on the face of hollow forgings these checks shall be
working it represents, be of the same controlling cross section made at each end on the OD or the ID at a distance equivalent
thickness (TC), and have been heat treated in the same to 1⁄2 the wall thickness from each end of the forging. Hardness
heat-treating charge as the forging(s) it represents; or (2) obtain checks shall be 180° apart, for example, at the 3:00 and 9:00
the test specimen from the trepanned material of transverse or positions on one face, and 6:00 and 12:00 positions on the
radial holes, provided the required depth is met. opposite face. On solid forgings over 250 lb [110 kg], at least
7.1.4.5 With prior purchaser approval, test specimens may four tests shall be taken on the periphery of the forging, two at
be taken at a depth (t) corresponding to the distance from the each end 180° apart.
area of significant stress to the nearest heat-treated surface and 7.2.5 For forgings 250 lb [110 kg] and less, Brinell testing
at least twice this distance (2t) from any second surface. shall be performed on one of the following: the test material
However, the test depth shall not be nearer to one heat-treated prior to machining the test specimen, the broken test specimens
surface than ⁄4 in. [19 mm] and to the second heat-treated
3 or the forgings themselves. Hardness tests shall be conducted
surface than 1 1⁄2 in. [38 mm]. Sketches showing the exact test on material representing the heat or heats included in each
locations shall be approved by the purchaser when this method heat-treating charge, or in the case of untreated forgings (Class
is used. A), on material representing each heat. The results shall meet
iTeh Standards
7.1.5 Tests for acceptance shall be made after final heat
treatment of the forgings. Thermal cycling after mechanical
the requirements of Table 2. If the purchaser desires Brinell
testing of each forging, Supplementary Requirement S11 may

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testing is complete shall not exceed 50 °F [30 °C] less than the
temperature used to establish mechanical properties.
be used.
7.3 If so specified by the purchaser, forgings may be

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7.1.6 Test specimen orientation relative to the axis of major supplied on the basis of hardness tests alone. If this option is
metal flow is to be at the discretion of the manufacturer exercised, the class shall be identified in certification and
provided the requirements of Table 2 are met. Test specimen marking with the suffix “H,” that is, “AH,” “BH,” “CH,” etc.
orientation shall be reported.
8. Retreatment
7.1.7 Yield point shall be determined on carbon ASTM
steel A668/A668M-19
Grades
8.1 When heat-treated forgings are specified, and the me-
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A through F, and yield strength on alloy steel Grades G through
chanical test results of any test lot do not conform to the
N. For carbon steel grades not showing a yield point, the yield
strength at 0.2 % offset shall be reported. requirements specified, the manufacturer may re-austenitize
the lot not more than three additional times, and retests shall be
7.2 Hardness Tests—Brinell hardness tests shall be per- made according to Section 7. Multiple retempering is not
formed and reported per Test Methods and Definitions A370. precluded by this requirement.
Hardness testing shall be performed after heat treatment
8.2 When untreated forgings (Class A) are specified, and the
(except on Class A forgings) and rough machining on each
mechanical test results of any test lot do not conform to the
forging weighing under 7000 lb [3200 kg] at the time of heat
requirements specified, the manufacturer may anneal,
treatment and each multiple forging made in accordance with
normalize, or normalize and temper, one or more times, but not
7.1.3.3 weighing under 7000 lb [3200 kg] at the time of heat
more than three times; and retests shall be made in accordance
treatment.
with Section 7. The tensile properties shall conform to the
7.2.1 Hardness testing on forgings in excess of 7000 lb
requirements for the class of forgings ordered (Class A).
[3200 kg] at the time of heat treatment may be omitted
provided they meet the tensile requirements of Table 2. For 9. Inspection, Rejection, and Certification
additional exceptions see 7.1.3.4 and 7.3. 9.1 Facilities for inspection at the place of manufacture,
7.2.2 When ordered without rough machining, hardness rejection of forgings and certification shall comply with Speci-
measurements shall be conducted on the forgings after heat fication A788/A788M.
treatment. Due consideration should be provided for the
removal of oxidation and decarburization to ensure accuracy of 10. Product Marking
hardness results when forgings which have not been rough 10.1 The marking requirements of Specification A788/
machined are evaluated. A788M shall be augmented as follows.

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 A668/A668M − 19
10.2 Each forging over 250 lb [110 kg] shall be legibly 10.4 The type of stamps to be used shall be round-nosed or
stamped by the manufacturer with the manufacturer’s name or “interrupted-dot” die stamps having a minimum radius of
1⁄32 in. [0.79 mm].
trademark, the manufacturer’s serial number, the specification
identification number, followed by the appropriate class num-
11. Keywords
ber and, where applicable, a standard Grade designation.
11.1 alloy steel forgings; carbon steel forgings; general
10.3 For forgings 250 lb [110 kg] and under, the purchaser industrial applications; heat treatment classifications; strength
may indicate the nature and location of identification marks. classifications

TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements

Composition, max, %
Elements Classes A to F Classes G to N
and AH to FH and GH to NH
Manganese 1.35 ...
Phosphorus 0.050 0.040
Sulfur 0.025 0.025

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TABLE 2 Tensile RequirementsA,B
Controlling Cross Yield Point, Yield Elonga-
Reduc-
Section (TC), Tensile Strength, min Strength 0.2 % tion in
tion of Brinell
Class in. [mm] Offset, min 2 in. or
Area, Hardness
50 mm,
Over Not Over psi MPa psi MPa min, %
min, %
Carbon Steel
A (AH) (Untreated) ... 20 [500] 47 000 325 ... ... ... ... 183 max
B (BH) (Annealed, or normalized, or ... 20 [500] 60 000 415 30 000 205 24 36 120–174
normalized and tempered)
C (CH) (Annealed, or normalized, or ... 12 [300] 66 000 455 33 000 230 23 36 137–183
normalized and tempered) 12 [300] 20 [500] 66 000 455 33 000 230 22 34 137–183
D (DH) (Normalized, annealed, or normalized ... 8 [200] 75 000 515 37 500 260 24 40 149–207
and tempered) 8 [200] 12 [300] 75 000 515 37 500 260 22 35 149–207
12 [300] 20 [500] 75 000 515 37 500 260 20 32 149–207
20 [500] 75 000 515 37 500 260 19 30 149–207
E (EH) (Normalized and tempered or ... 8 [200] 85 000 585 44 000 305 25 40 174–217
double-normalized and tempered) 8 [200] 12 [300] 83 000 570 43 000 295 23 37 174–217
12 [300] 20 [500] 83 000 570 43 000 295 22 35 174–217
F (FH) (Quenched and tempered, or ... 4 [100] 90 000 620 55 000 380 20 39 187–235
normalized, quenched and tempered) 4 [100] 7 [175] 85 000 585 50 000 345 20 39 174–217
7 [175] 10 [254] 85 000 585 50 000 345 19 37 174–217
10 [250] 20 [500] 82 000 565 48 000 330 19 36 174–217
Alloy Steel
G (GH) (Annealed, or normalized, or ... 12 [300] 80 000 550 50 000 345 24 40 163–207
normalized and tempered) 12 [300] 20 [500] 80 000 550 50 000 345 22 38 163–207
H (HH) (Normalized and tempered) ... 7 [175] 90 000 620 60 000 415 22 44 187–235
7 [175] 10 [250] 90 000 620 58 000 400 21 42 187–235
10 [250] 20 [500] 90 000 620 58 000 400 18 40 187–235
J (JH) (Normalized and tempered, or ... 7 [175] 95 000 655 70 000 485 20 50 197–255
normalized, quenched, and tempered) 7 [175] 10 [250] 90 000 620 65 000 450 20 50 187–235
10 [250] 20 [500] 90 000 620 65 000 450 18 48 207–255

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K (KH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered) ... 7 [178] 105 000 725 80 000 550 20 50 212–269
7 [175] 10 [250] 100 000 690 75 000 515 19 50 207–269
10 [250] 20 [500] 100 000 690 75 000 515 18 48 207–269
L (LH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered) ... 4 [100] 125 000 860 105 000 725 16 50 255–321

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4 [100]
7 [175]
10 [250]
7
10
20
[175]
[250]
[500]
115 000
110 000
110 000
795
760
760
95 000
85 000
85 000
655
585
585
16
16
14
45
45
40
235–302
223–293
223–293
M (MH) (Normalized, quenched,
and tempered) Document Preview
...
4 [100]
7 [178]
4
7
10
[100]
[175]
[254]
145 000
140 000
135 000
1000
965
930
120 000
115 000
110 000
825
790
758
15
14
13
45
40
40
293–352
285–341
269–331
10 [250] 20 [500] 135 000 930 110 000 758 12 38 269–341
N (NH) (Normalized, quenched, and tempered) ... 4 [100] 170 000 1175 140 000 965 13 40 331–401
ASTM A668/A668M-19
4 [100] 7 [175] 165 000 1140 135 000 930 12 35 331–401
7 [175] 10 [250] 160 000 1100 130 000 900 11 35 321–388
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10 [250] 20 [500] 160 000 1100 130 000 900 11 35 321–402
A
Forgings with controlling cross section thickness (TC) in excess of 20 in. [508 mm] for all classes other than class D may be certified to Specification A668/A668M provided
they meet the requirements for controlling cross sections of 20 in. [508 mm] listed in Table 2. Alternatively, the manufacturer and purchaser may agree upon the required
mechanical property values as described in Supplement S9.1.
B
Requirements presented in Table 2 are to be met at the test locations given in 7.1.4. Tests from other locations may not exhibit the property values shown in Table 2.

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FIG. 1 Examples of Locations of Test Specimens for Various Types of Forgings (see Note 1).