ASTM A255 – Standard Test Methods for Determining Hardenability of Steel
Description:
Significance and Use
3.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the hardenability of steel by the end-quench or Jominy test. The test consists of water quenching one end of a cylindrical test specimen 1.0 in. in diameter and measuring the hardening response as a function of the distance from the quenched end.
Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the identification and description of test methods for determining the hardenability of steels. The two test methods include the quantitative end-quench or Jominy Test and a method for calculating the hardenability of steel from the chemical composition based on the original work by M. A. Grossman.
1.2 The selection of the test method to be used for determining the hardenability of a given steel shall be agreed upon between the supplier and user. The Certified Material Test Report shall state the method of hardenability determination.
1.3 The calculation method described in these test methods is applicable only to the range of chemical compositions that follow:
| Element | Range, % | |
| Carbon | 0.10–0.70 | |
| Manganese | 0.50–1.65 | |
| Silicon | 0.15–0.60 | |
| Nickel | 1.50 max | |
| Chromium | 1.35 max | |
| Molybdenum | 0.55 max | |
| Copper | 0.35 max | |
| Vanadium | 0.20 max |
1.4 Hardenability is a measure of the depth to which steel will harden when quenched from its austenitizing temperature (Table 1). It is measured quantitatively, usually by noting the extent or depth of hardening of a standard size and shape of test specimen in a standardized quench. In the end-quench test the depth of hardening is the distance along the specimen from the quenched end which correlates to a given hardness level.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
ASTM A254