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' 'Ibis spe;ificalion is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A05 on Annual Book of ASTM Standarris. Vol 01.02.
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Metallic Coated Iron and Steel Products and is the direct responsibility of Annual Book of ASTM Standarris, Vol 01.06.
Subcommittee A05.13 on Sttuctutal Shapes and Hardware Specifications. 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standarris, Vol 02.04.
5
Cum:nt edition approved October 10, 2001. Published December 2001. Origi Annual Book of ASTM Standmris. Vol 02.05.
6
nally published as A 123- 28 T. Last previous edition A 123-01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Vol 03.03.
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Copyright O ASTM lntemalfonal, 100 Barr Hllbor Orive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 194211-295$1, United S1ates.
A 123/A 123M
Mu!tj-Specknen Artjcles
Articles whose Surface Area is greater than 160 sq.in. (100,000 sq. mm)
)~
3 Test Articles
each compasad of
3 Specimens
Sjng!e-specjmen Artjc!es
Articles whose Surface Area is equal to or less than 160 sq.in. (100,000 sq. mm)
3 Test Articles
, , , )sample 3 Specimens
specimen coating thicknesses. "black" does not refer to the color or condition of surface, or to
3.2.2 black, adj-denotes the condition of not galvanized or a surface deposit or contamination.
otherwise coated. For purposes of this specification the word 3.2.3 coating thickness grade, n-the numerical value from
2
O A 123/A 123M
Table 1 at the intersection of a material category and a 3.2.10 specimen coating thickness, n-the average thick-
thickness range. ness from no less than five test measurements on a specimen,
3.2.4 gross dross inclusions, n-the iron/zinc intennetallics when each measurement location is selected to provide the
present in a galvanized coating in a fonn other than finely widest dispersion (in all applicable directions) of locations for
dispersed pimples. the steel category of the test article within the confines of the
3.2.4.1 Discussion-These inclusions would create an ex- specimen volume.
posed steel spot if they were removed from the coating. These 3.2.11 test article, n- an individual unit of product that is
inclusions are raised surfaces and are easily knocked off a rnernber of the sample and that is examined for conformance
through contact with lifting straps or chains, tools, fixtures. or to a part of this specification.
other galvanized parts. 4. Ordering Inforrnation
3.2.5 material category, n-the general class or type of 4.1 Orders for coatings provided under this specification
material or process of manufacture, or both, that nominally shall include the following:
describes a unit of product, or from which a unit of product is 4.1.1 Quantity (number of pieces to be galvanized) and total
made. For example. bar grating belongs to the category "strip," weight.
handrail belongs to the category "pipe," etc. 4.1.2 Description (type and size of products) and weight.
3.2.6 multi-specimen article, n-a unit of product whose 4.1.3 ASTM specification designation and year of issue.
surface area is greater than 160 in. 2 (lOO 000 mm2). For 4.1.4 Material identification (see 5.1) and surface condition
thickness testing purposes, articles whose surface area is or contamination.
greater than 160 in. 2 are subdivided into three continuous local 4.1.5 Sarnpling plan, if different from 7.3.
sections, nominally equal in surface area, each of which 4.1.6 Special test requirements (see 8.1).
constitutes a specimen. In the case of any such local section 4.1.7 Special requirements (special stacking, heavier coat-
containing more than one material category or steel thickness ing weight, etc.).
range as delineated in Table 1, that section will contain more 4.1.8 Tagging or piece identification method.
than one specimen (see Fig. 1).
S. Materials and Manufacture
3.2.7 samp/e, n-a collection of individual units of product
from a single lot selected in accordance wth Section 7, and 5.1 Steel or lron-The specification, grade, or designation
intended to represent that lot for acceptance. If a sample is and type and degree of surface contamination of the iron or
taken as representing the lot for acceptance, the sample shall be steel in articles to be galvanized shall be supplied by the
taken at random from the lot without regard to the perceived purchaser to the hot-dip galvanizer prior to galvanizng.
quality or appearance of any individual unit in the lot eeing NolE 2-The presence in steels and weld metal. in certain percentages,
sampled. The sample consists of one or more test articles. of some elements such as silicon, carbon, and phosphorus tends to
3.2.8 single-specimen article, n-a unit of product whose accelerate the growth of the zinc-iron alloy layer so that the coating may
have a mane finish with little or no outer zinc layer. The galvanizer has
surface area is equal to or Iess than 160 in. 2 (1 00 000 mm2) or
only limited control over ths condition. The mass, shape, and amount of
that is centrifuged or otherwise similarly handled in the cold working of the product being galvanized rnay also affect this
galvanizing process to remove excess galvanizing bath metal condition. Practice A 385 provides guidance on steel selection and
(free zinc). For thickness testing purposes. the entire surface discusses the effects of various elements in steel compositions (for
area of each unit of product constitutes a specimen. In the case example, silicon), that influence coating weight and appearance.
of any such article containing more than one material category 5.2 Fabrication-The design and fabrication ofthe product
or steel thickness range as delineated in Table 1, that article . to be galvanized are the responsibilities of the desgner and the
will contain more than one specimen (see Fig. 1). fabricator. Practices A 143, A 384, andA 385 provide guidance
3.2.9 specimen, n- the surface of an individual test article for steel fabrication for optimum hot dip galvanizng and shall
or a portion of a test article, upon which thickness measure- be complied wth in both design and fabrication. Consultation
ments are to be performed, which is a member of a lot, or a between the designer, fabricator, and galvanizer at appropriate
member of a sample representing that lot. For magnetic stages in the design and fabrication process will reduce future
thickness measurements, specimen excludes any area of the problerns.
surface which is subject to processes (such as ftame cutting, 5.3 Castings-The composition and heat treatment of iron
machining, threading, etc.) that can be expected to result in and steel castings shall conform to specifications designated by
surface conditions not representative of the general surface the purchaser. Sorne types of castings have been known to
condition of the test article, or is disqualified by the measure- show potential problerns with predisposition to being ern-
ment method. The mnimum average coating thickness grade brittled during the normal thennal cycle ofhot-dip galvanizng.
for any specimen shall be one coating grade below that It is the responsibility of the purchaser to heat treat or
required for the appropriate material category and thickness in otherwise allow for the possibility of such embrittling phenom-
Table l. For a unit of product whose surface area is equal to or ena. The requirements for malleable iron castings to be
less than 160 in. 2 (100 000 mm2 ), the entire surface area of galvanized shall be as stated in Specification A 47.
each test article constitutes a specimen. In the case of an article 5.4 Zinc-The zinc used in the galvanizng bath shall
containing more than one material category or steel thickness confonn to Specification B 6. If a zinc alloy is used as the
range as delineated in Table 1, that article will contain more prirnary feed to the galvanizng bath, then the base material
than one specimen, as appropriate (see Fig. 1). used to rnake that alloy shall confonn to Specification B 6.
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A 123/A 123M
6. Coating Properties NOTE 1-Each specimen comprises nominally one third of the total
6.1 Coating Thickness-The average thickness of coating surface area of the article. A minimum of five measurements should be
made within the volume of each specimen. as widely dispersed within that
for all specimens tested shall conform to the requirements of volume as is practica!, so as to represent as much as possible, the general
Table 1 for the categories and thicknesses of the material being coating thickness within that specimen volume.
galvanized. Minimum average thickness of coating for any FIG. 2 Articles Made of Many Componenta
individual specimen is one coating grade less than that required
in Table l. Wbere products consisting of various material ments at the same generallocation, on a test specimen shall be
thicknesses or categories are galvanized, the coating thickness cause for rejection under the coating thickness requirements of
grades for each thickness range and material category of this specification provided that when those measurements are
material shall be as shown in Table l. In the case of orders in averaged with the other dispersed measurements to determine
SI units, the values in Table 1, shall be applicable as metric the specimen coating thickness grade for that specimen, the
units in micrometres. In the case of orders in inch-pound units, requirements of 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, as appropriate are met.
the measured value shall be converted to coating grade units by
the use of Table 2. The specification of coating thicknesses NOTE 4-The coating thickness grades in Table 1 represent the mni-
heavier than those required by Table 1 shall be subject to mum value obtainable with a high leve) of confidence for the ranges
typically found in each material category. While most coating thicknesses
mutual agreement between the galvanizer and the purchaser.
will be in excess of those values, sorne materials in each category may be
(Fig. 2 is a graphic representation of the sampling and less reactive (for example. because of chemistry or surface condition) than
specimen delineation steps, and Fig. 3 is a graphic representa- other materials of the steel category spectrum. Therefore, sorne articles
tion of the coating thickness inspection steps.) may have a coating grade at or close to the minimum requirement shown
6.1.1 For articles whose surface area is greater than 160 in Table l. In such 'cases, the precision and accuracy of the coating
in. 2 (100 000 mm 2) (multi-specimen articles), each test article thickness measuring technique should be taken into consideration when
in the sample must meet the appropriate mnimum average rejecting such articles for coating thickness below that required by this
specification. Purchasers desiring a guarantee of heavier coatings than the
coating thckness grade requirements of Table 1, and each
mnimum thicknesses shown herein should use the special requirements
specimen coating thickness grade comprising that overall (see 4.1.6) to specify coating thickness grades higher than those shown in
average for each test article shall average not less than one Table l. In addition, the purchaser should anticpate the need for test
coating grade below that required in Table l. batches or extra preparation steps. or both, such as blasting before
6.1.2 For articles whose surface area is equal to or less than galvanizing or other methods. to attempt to reach the higher requirements
160 in. 2 (100 000 mm 2) (single-specimen articles), the average with consistency. Sorne higher-than-standatd thicknesses may be imprac::-
of all test articles in the sample must meet the appropriate tical or unattainable.
mnimum average coating thickness grade requirements of 6.2 Finish-The coating shall be continuous (except. as
Table l. and for each test article, its specimen coating thickness provided below), and as reasonably smooth and uniform in
shall be not less than one coating grade below that required in thickness as the weight, size, shape of the item, and necessary
Table l. handling of the item during the dipping and draining operations
6.1.3 No individual measurement, or cluster of measure- at the galvanizing kettle will permit. Except for local excess
Coatlng
Grade
. , mils \
TABLE 2 Coatlng Thickness GradeA
35 1.4 0.8 35
45 1.8 1.0 45 320
50 2.0 1.2 50 355
,55 2.2 1.3 55 390
60 2.4 1.4 60 425
65 2.6 1.5 65 460
75 3.0 1.7 75 530
80 3.1 1.9 80 565
85 3.3 2.0 85 600
~ .. 100 3.9 2.3 100 705
A The values in micrometres (11m) are based on the Coaling Grade. The other values are based on conversions usng the following fonnulas: mlls =11m x 0.03937;
ozlff =11m x 0.02316; g/m 2 =11m x 7.067.
4
'l.
...
..., rl
5
'
-
...
A 123/A 123M
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A 123/A 123M
a point value. No less than five such measurements shall be Tis shall be achieved by an in-plant inspection program
made at locations on the test article which are as widely designed to maintain the coating thickness, finish, and appear-
dispersed as practical, so as to be representative of the whole ance within the requirements of this specification unless the
surface of the test article. The average of no less than five such inspection is performed in accordance with 9.2.
measurements is the specimen coating thickness. 9.2 Inspection By the Purchaser-The purchaser shall ac-
8.2.4.1 The microscopy method is a destructive test and is cept or reject material by inspection either through the galva-
appropriate for single-specmen articles, but is not practical for nizer' s inspector, the purchaser' s inspector, or an independent
multi-specimen articles.
inspector. The inspector representing the purchaser shall have
8.2.5 Referee Method-In the event of a dispute over
access at all times to those areas of the galvanizer's facility
thickness of coating measurements, the dispute shall be re-
solved as follows: which concern the ap:)lication of the zinc coating to the
8.2.5.1 For multi-specimen articles, a new sample shall be material ordered while work on the contract of the purchaser is
taken randomly from the lot of material, which has twice the being performed The galvanizer shall afford the inspector all
number of test articles as the sample which failed to conform reasonable facilities to satisfy him that the zinc coating is being
to this specification. If the lot size is such that the sample size fumished in accordance with this specification.
cannot be doubled, then the sample size shall be as previous, 9.3 Location-The material shall be inspected at the galva-
but the number of widely dispersed sites at which measure- nizer' s plant prior to shipment. However. by agreement the
ments were made shall be doubled, and these sites will purchaser is not prohibited from making tests which govern the
constitute the new sample. This new sample shall be measured acceptance or rejection of the materials in bis own laboratory
using magnetic thickness gages which have been calibrated for or elsewhere.
accuracy against reference material thickness standards. If the
9.4 Reinspection-When inspection of materials to deter-
lot is found to be nonconforming by the new sample, the
mine conformity with the visual requirements of 6.2 warrants
galvanizer has the right to sort the lot for conforming articles
rejection of a lot, the galvanizer is not prohibited from sorting
by individual test, to re-galvanize non-conforming articles, or
to renovate the nonconforming articles in accordance with 6.2. the lot and submit it once again for acceptance after he has
8.2.5.2 For single-specimen articles, a new sample shall be removed any nonconforming articles and replaced them with
taken randomly from the lot of material, which has twice the conforming articles.
number of test articles as the sample which failed to conform 9.5 The sampling plan that was used when the lot was first
to this specfication. The test method for the new sample shall inspected shall be used for resampling of a sorted lot. By
be selected by mutual agreement between the purchaser and mutual agreement, the galvanizer is not prohibited from
galvanizer. If the lot is found to be nonconforming by the new submitting the lot remaining after sorting and removing non-
sample, the galvanizer has the right to sort the lot for conforming articles without replacement of the nonconforming
conforming articles by individual test, to re-galvanize non- articles. In such case, the now-smaller lot shalJ be treated as a
conforming articles, or to renovate the nonconforming articles new lot for purposes of inspection and acceptance.
in accordance with 6.2. 9.6 Materials that have been rejected for reasons other than
8.3 Adhesion-Determine adhesion of the zinc coating to embrittlement are not prohibited from being stripped and
the surface of the base metal by cutting or prying with the point
regalvanized and again submitted for inspection and test at
of a stout knife, applied with considerable pressure in a manner
which time they shall conform to the requirements of this
tending to remove a portian of the coating. The adhesion shall
be considered inadequate if the coating flakes off in the form of
specification.
a layer of the coating so as to expose the base metal in advance
of the knife point. Do not use testing carried out at edges or 10. Certification
corners (points of lowest coating adhesion) to determine 10.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, the
adhesion of the coating. Likewise, do not use removal of small purchaser shall be fumished certification that samples repre-
particles of the coating by paring or whittling to determine senting each lot have been either tested or inspected as directed
failure. by this specification and the requirements have been met.
8.4 Embrittlement-Test for embrittlement shall be made in When specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of
accordance with Practice A 143. These tests shall not be the test results shall be furnished
required unless strong evidence of embrittlement is present.
9. Inspection, Rejection, and Retest 11. Keywords
9.1 Inspection by the Galvanizer-It is the responsibility of 11.1 coatings-zinc; galvanized coatings; steel products-
the galvanizer to ensure compliance with this specification. metallic coated; zinc coatings-steel products
7
0 A 123/A 123M
ASTM lntemationlll takes no postion respecting the valdty of any patent rights asserted in connection with any tem mantioned
in ths standard. Users of ths standard are express/y advlsed that deterrnnation of the valdty of any such patent rights, and the risk
own responsibinty.
of nfrlngement of such rights, are entirely their
This standardls subject to revislon at any tima by the responslble technical committee and must be reviewed VfiiY five years and
/f not tfiVised, either reapproved or withdrewn. Your comments are invited ether for revslon of this standard or for addtonal standarris
and should be addressed to ASTM lntematonal Headquarters. Your comments wi/1 rece/va careful consicleraton ata meeting of the
responslble technicBJ commttee, whch you may attend. /f you feel that your commants have not received a far hea'ring you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM lntemational, 100 Ba" Harbor Orive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
Unted States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtaned by contacting ASTM at the above
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