ASTM A604 – Standard Practice for Macroetch Testing of Consumable Electrode Remelted Steel Bars and Billets
Description:
Significance and Use
4.1 Macroetch testing, as described herein, is a method for examining and rating transverse sections of bars and billets to describe certain conditions of macro segregation which are often characteristic of consumable electrode remelted materials.
4.2 This practice is not intended to define major defects such as those described by Method E381.
Scope
1.1 This practice2 covers testing and inspection and is applicable to bars, billets, and blooms of carbon, alloy, and stainless steel which have been consumable electrode remelted.
1.2 For the purpose of this practice, the consumable electrode remelting process is defined as a steel refining method wherein single or multiple electrodes are remelted into a crucible producing an ingot which is superior to the original electrode by virtue of improved cleanliness or lower gas content or reduced chemical or nonmetallic segregation. See Appendix X1 and Appendix X2 for descriptions of applicable remelting processes.
1.3 This practice and the accompanying comparison macrographs3 are generally applicable to steel bar and billet sizes up to 225 in.2 [1450 cm2] in transverse cross section.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
ASTM A6