AS 1472-1979

UDC 669 14 018 27-426 621-272

STANDARDS
ASSOCIATION
OF

AUSTRALIA
The Standards Association of Australia was founded in 1922
as the Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards
Association, and was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1950.
The principal function of the Association is to prepare
and publish Australian Standards and to promote their
adoption. Standards are m the form of specifications for
materials and products, codes of sound or safe practice,
methods of testing, nomenclature, etc. They are prepared
by representative committees which co-ordinate manufacturing capacity and production efficiency with the users'
reasonable needs. They seek to achieve fitness for purpose,
simplified production and distribution, replacement interchangeability, and adequate variety of choice without
wasteful diversity.

Australian Standard
14721979
CARBON STEEL SPRING
WIRE FOR MECHANICAL
SPRINGS

Australian Standards are prepared only after a full

enquiry has shown that the project is endorsed as a desirable
one and worth the effort involved. The work is based on
voluntary agreement, and recognition of the community of
interest of producer and consumer.
The Association's work is conducted solely in the
national interest and without profit, the only expenses being
salaries, printing and office administration. It is financed
from grants received from the Government, subscriptions
from members, and sales of its publications. Government
and private enterprise both benefit from the Association's
activities, to the financing of which both should contribute
equitably.
Membership of the Association is open to individuals,
associations, industrial and commercial companies, and
public and local authorities. Enquiries concerning membership are always welcomed.

[Title allocated by Defence Cataloguing Authority

METAL ROD WIRE NON-ELECTRICAL (For Mechanical Springs)]

STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Incorpcraicd by Qoya/ Char'sr

THE

AUSTRALIAN STANDARD

FOLLOWING SCIENTIFIC, INDUSTRIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL

organizations and departments were officially represented on the committee

entrusted with the preparation of this standard:
Australian Council of Furniture Manufacturers
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Confederation of Australian Industry

CARBON STEEL SPRING

WIRE FOR MECHANICAL
SPRINGS

Department of Defence
Department of Productivity
Institute of Steel Service Centres of Australia
Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia
Railways of Australia Committee
Society of Automotive Engineers, Australasia
Spring Manufacturers Association of Australia

AS 14721979

This standard, prepared by Committee MT/1, Iron and Steel, was approved
on behalf of the Council of the Standards Association of Australia on
29 March 1979, and was published on 1 July 1979.
To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian standards are
regularly reviewed Suggestions for improvements to published standards,
addressed to the head office of the Association, are welcomed.

First published
Revised

1973
1979

PUBLISHED BY THE STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

STANDARDS HOUSE, 80 ARTHUR ST, NORTH SYDNEY, N.S.W.
This standard \\as issued in draft form for public review as DR 78023

ISBN 07262 01960

IS 1472-1979

AS 14721979

PREFACE
This standard was prepared under the direction of the Association's
Committee on Iron and Steel by its subcommittee on steel spring wire as a
revision of AS 14721973. It applies, in particular, to uncoated carbon steel
spring wire of round cross-section, supplied in coils in the hard-drawn, oilhardened and tempered, or soft-drawn condition, for use in mechanical
springs, but excluding those for bedding and seating, which are covered in
AS 2266, Carbon Steel Spring Wire for Bedding and Seating.
It should be noted tnat although hard-drawn wire is supplied in the
uncoated condition to this standard, metallic or other coatings are available,
but these are subject to negotation between the supplier and the purchaser
(see Appendix A). Also, the standard is restricted to carbon steel wire only,
since many requirements for alloy steel spring wire differ to such an extent as
to make its inclusion impracticable.
In this revision, the torsion test and reverse bend test are non-mandatory,
since it was considered by the subcommittee that the tensile test and wrap test
would cover requirements adequately. Appendix A, a new addition to the
standard, presents purchasing guidelines, including contractual requirements, previously included in the body of the standard, and directs attention
to matters requiring consideration at the time of enquiry and/or order. The
intention is to avoid misinterpretation or other problems and to ensure a clear
understanding of product requirements by both purchaser and supplier.
In the preparation of this standard, cognizance was taken of BS 5216,
Patented Cold Drawn Carbon Steel Wire for Mechanical Springs.
This standard requires reference to the following standards and
publications:
AS 1050
Methods for the Analysis of Iron and Steel (Metric Units)
AS 1153
Preferred Metric Sizes of Ferrous and Non-ferrous
Round Wire for General Engineering Purposes
.AS 1213
Methods for the Sampling of Iron, Steel, Permanent
Magnet Alloys and Ferro alloys
AS K1
Methods for the Sampling and Analysis of Iron and Steel
SAA MP19 Report on Preferred Numbers and Their Use
ISO/R 388
ISO Metric Series for Basic Thicknesses of Sheet and
Diameters of Wire
Methods for Mechanical Testing of Steel Wire
BS4545
Copyright STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA 1979
Users of standard! are reminded that copyright subsists in all SAA publications. No put of
this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted
by any means without prior permission in writing of the Standards Association of
Australia.

CONTENTS
Page
SPECIFICATION
1 Scope
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Definitions
Steelmaking Process
....
Chemical Composition
Freedom from Defects
Manufacturing Tolerances
Mechanical Properties
Cast
Selection and Preparation of Test Samples for Mechanical
Tests
10 Tensile Strength
11 Wrap Testfor Hard-drawn Wire
12 Torsion Test
13 Retests
14 Identification
15 Rounding of Numbers

4
4
4
5
6
6
6
6
7
7
10
10
10
10
10

APPENDICES
A
B

Purchasing Guidelines
Rounding of Numbers

11
IS

AS 14721979

STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
for
CARBON STEEL SPRING WIRE FOR MECHANICAL
SPRINGS
1 SCOPE. This standard specifies requirements for uncoated carbon steel
spring wire of round cross-section for mechanical springs, supplied in coils
in one of the following conditions:
(a) Hard-drawn.
(b) Oil-hardened and tempered.
(c) Soft-drawn.
NOTE: Guidelines to purchasers on requirements that must be specified by the purchaser and
those that must or may be agreed at the time of enquiry and/or order are given in Appendix A.

2 DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this standard, the following

definitions apply:
Herd-drawncarbon steel wire drawn with a relatively high reduction of
cross-sectional area from a heat-treated (patented or similar process)
base. The microstructure of such material consists of heavily elongated
pearlite.
Oil-hardened and temperedcarbon steel wire continuously hardened by
quenching in oil followed by tempering. The microstructure of such
material consists of tempered martensite.
Soft-drawnwire drawn with a reduction of area of about 10 percent from
an annealed base, to produce a lightly elongated structure containing
spheroidal cementite.
Castike form taken by the individual waps (turns or circles) of a wire in a
coil.
NOTES:
1 One of the characteristics of cast is the wap diameter, this should be uniform and will
normally be about the coil diameter, which approximates the block diameter.
2 A second characteristic is the tendency of the wire to spiral; this should be uniform between
one wap and another, but is normally preferred approaching zero.

3 STEELMAKING PROCESS. The steel shall be made by an open

hearth, a basic oxygen or an electric process. For the purpose of this standard,
blown with commercially pure oxygen.

AS 14721979

4 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.
4.1 General. The method of sampling for chemical analysis shall be in
accordance with AS 1213. Chemical composition shall be determined by any
of the procedures commonly used, such as emission spectroscopy, X-ray
spectroscopy, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, combustion techniques
or classical volumetric or gravimetric methods (see also Paragraph A7.3 of
Appendix A).
4.2 Ladle Analysis.
4.2.1 Hard-drawn steel spring wire. The chemical composition of
the steel shall be based on ladle analysis, and shall be within the limits given
in Tabk 1.
TABLE 1
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS OF HARD-DRAWN STEEL SPRING
WIRE

1
L4fc analysis, perce*

Element
Carbon
Silicon
Manganese
Phosphorus
Sulphur

Mm.

Max.

0.4S
0.10
0.40

0.85
0.35
1.10
0.050
0.050

4.2.2 Oil-hardened and tempered steel spring wire. The chemical

composition of the steel shall be based on ladle analysis, and shall be within
the limits given in Table 2.
NOTE: The choice of chemical composition is at the option of the manufacturer, except
that if the purchaser requires a specific composition this is to be specified at the time of
enquiry and/or order (see Paragraph A3.1 of Appendix A) and stated on the order.

TABLE 2
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS OF OIL-HARDENED AND
TEMPERED STEEL SPRING WIRE

1
Ladle analysis, percent

Element
Carbon
Silicon
Manganese*
Phosphorus
Sulphur

Mfa.

Max.

0.55
0.10
0.60

0.85
0.35
1.20
0.050
0.050

Generally 0.80/1.20 percent manganese for diameter 4.88 mm and larger, 0.60/0.90 tor
diameters less than 4.88 mm.

AS 1472-1979

AS 14721979

4.23 Soft-drawn steel spring wire. The chemical composition of the

steel shall be based on ladle analysis, and shall be within the limits given in
Table 3.
NOTE: The choice of chemical composition is at the option of the manufacturer, except
that if the purchaser requires a specific composition this is to be specified at the time of
enquiry and 'or order (see Paragraph A3.1 of Appendix A) and stated on the order.

TABLE 4
DIAMETER TOLERANCES
4.1

TABLE 3
CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SOFT-DRAWN STEEL
SPRING WIRE

1
Ladle analysis, percent

Element
Carbon
Silicon
Manganese*
Phosphorus
Sulphur

Mm.

Max.

0.65
0.10
0.60

0.75
0.35
!;20
0.050
0.050

Generally 0.80/1.20 percent manganese for diameter 4.88 mm and larger; 0.60/0.90 for
diameters less tnan 4.88 mm.

5 FREEDOM FROM DEFECTS. The wire shall be clean, smooth and

free from defects detrimental to its subsequent processing and end use.
Notwithstanding the fact that a coil has been passed as complying with
this standard, if faults in manufacture are revealed during subsequent
processing of the coil, it may them be deemed not to comply.
6

MANUFACTURING TOLERANCES.
6.1 Diameter. The diameter tolerances shall be in accordance with
Table 4.
6.2 Out-of-roundness. The deviation from roundness at any crosssection measured as the difference between the maximum and minimum
diameters shall not exceed one-half of the diameter tolerance specified.
7 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES. The mechanical properties shall be
determined on test pieces prepared from samples selected and prepared as
specified in Clause 9, and shall comply with Clauses 10 and 11, as appropriate.
8 CAST. The wire shall be uniformly cast such that when a few
convolutions of wire are cut from the coil and allowed to fall on a flat surface,
the wire shall lie flat on itself, or shall not spring up and show a corkscrew
condition.

Class A Tolerances.

4.2

1
2
Specified diameter

Over

Up to at* fed.

0.80
2.80
8.0

0.80
2.80
8.0
11.2

3
Irfamctcr tnJUMii

0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04

Class B Tolerance*.
1

.,
Over

0.36
0.80
1.60
2.80
5.0
8.0

Up to * fed.
0.56
0.80
1.60
2.80
5.0
8.0
11.2

0.01

0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.08

9 SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF TEST SAMPLES FOR

MECHANICAL TESTS. A sample of sufficient length to allow the
preparation of the necessary test pieces shall be cut from each coil of wire.
The test samples shall not, except for the necessary straightening, be
mechanically worked or heat-treated before testing.
10 TENSILE STRENGTH. The tensile strength shall be determined in
accordance with BS 4S4S, and shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) Hard-drawn steel spring wirewithin the limits given in Table 5.
(b) Oil-hardened and tempered steel spring wirewithin the limits given in
Table 6.
(c) Soft-drawn steel spring wiremaximum of 930 MPa for all sizes.
NOTE: If the purchaser requires an alternative maximum, this is to be subject to agreement between the purchaser and the supplier at the time of enquiry r Ml or order (see
Paragraph A3.2(a) of Appendix A).

AS 14721979

AS 1472-1979

TABLES
TENSILE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR HARD-DRAWN
STEEL SPRING WIRE

5
|
' 1
TcMflc ftrenftk +, MPa}

Specified
dfauMter*
RMfCl

Up to 0.56
0.63
0.71
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.12
1.25
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
2.24
2.50
2.80
3.15
3.55
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.6
6.3
7.1
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.2

Mta.
1960
1930
1900
1870
1840
1800
1770
1730
1700
1670
1630
1600
1560
1530
1500
1460
1450
1410
1370
1350
1320
1290
1260
1230
1190
1180
1170

MM.
2250
2220
2190
2160
2130
2070
2040
2000
1960
1920
1880
1840
1800
1760
1720
1680
1670
1630
1590
1560
1520
1490
1460
1420
1380
1360
1340

RaaseZ

Mte.
2220
2190
2160
2130
2100
2040
2010
1970
1930
1890
1850
1810
1770
1730
1690
1650
1640
1600
1560
1530
1490
1460
1430
1390
1350
1330
1310

MM.
2490
2460
2430
2400
2370
2310
2270
2230
2180
2130
2080
2040
2000
1950
1910
1870
1850
1810
1760
1730
1680
1650
1620
1570
1530
1510
1480

Rante3
Mia.
Max.
2460
2430
2400
2370
2340
2280
2240
2200
2150
2100
2050
2010
1970
1920
1880
1840
1820
1780
1730
1700
1650
1620
1590
1540
1500
1480
1450

2780
2750
2710
2680
2640
2570
2530
2480
2430
2370
2320
2270
2230
2170
2120
2080
2060
2010
1960
1920
1860
1830
1790
1740
1700
1670
1640

TABLE 6
TENSILE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR OIL-HARDENED
AND TEMPERED STEEL SPRING WIRE

1
Specified
dimeter*
Hi

0.80
0.90
1.00
.12
.25
.40
.60
.80
2.00
2.24
2.50
2.80
3.15
3.55
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.6
6.3
7.1
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.2

2 1
TcMflei
Ml
Mfa.
1940
1890
1860

sr*-

1810
1780
1740
1700
1670
1620
1600
1570
1540
1510
1470
1420
1380
1330
1300
1280
1270
1260
1250
1230
1200

Mas.
2150
2100
2070
2020
1990
1950
1910
1880
1830
1810
1780
1750
1720
1640
1590
1550
1500
1470
1450
1440
1430
1420
1400
1370

*
'':

', ' , ' ;

"-)

*In accordance with AS 1153.

Tensile strength values for intermediate diameters may be obtained by interpolation.
*1 MPa=
2

In accordance with AS 1153.

+Temik strength values for intermediate diameters may be obtained by interpolation.
*1 MPa = 1 N/mm2.

AS 14721979

10

11 WRAP TEST.
11.1 Hard-drawn Wire.
11.1.1 Ranges 1 and 2. Wires in ranges 1 and 2 (see Table 5) shall be
capable of being wrapped at least four turns around its own diameter without
fracture.
11.1.2 Range3. Wire in range 3 (see Table 5) shall be capable of being
wrapped at least four turns around a mandrel of twice its own diameter
without fracture.
11.2 Oil-hardened and Tempered Wire.
11.2.1 Wire up to and including 4 mm in diameter. The wire shall be
capable of being wrapped around itself as a mandrel without breakage
11.2.2 Wire over 4 mm in diameter. The wire shall be capable of being
wrapped around a mandrel of twice its own diameter without breakage.
12 TORSION TEST. Where required (see Notes), the torsion test shall be
carried out in accordance with BS 4545 on a test piece whose length shall be
equivalent to 100 times the wire diameter
NOTES:
1 If the purchaser requires a torsion test, this is to be subject to agreement between the
purchaser and the supplier at the time of enquin and or order (see Paragraph A3 2(b) of
Appendix A)
2. The limits of acceptance are to be subject to agreement between the purchaser and the
supplier at the tune of enquiry and or order (see Paragraph A3 2(b) of Appendix A)
Guidelines in this regard are given in Paragraph A7 2 of Appendix A

13 RETESTS. Should any test piece first selected fail to pass the relevant
test specified in Clauses 8, 10, 11 and 12, the following procedure shall be
adopted at the option of the supplier:
Two further samples, one from each end of the same coil, shall be selected
for testing. Should the test pieces from both these additional samples pass,
the coil shall be deemed to comply with this standard. Should the test pieces
from either of these additional samples fail, the coil shall be deemed not to
comply with this standard.
14 IDENTIFICATION. Each coil shall be marked or tagged to enable it
to be identified with this standard.
NOTE. Warning is given that the presence of the Australian standard number, AS 1472, on the
coil, its packaging or literature related thereto could be taken as a claim by the manufacturer
that the coil so marked complies in all respects with this standard

15 ROUNDING OF NUMBERS.
15.1 General. For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the determined value, observed or
calculated, shall be rounded off in accordance with Appendix B. The number
of significant places retained in this rounded-off value shall be the same as
that of the specified value in this standard.
15.2 Tensile Properties. The determined value of tensile strength shall
be rounded off to the nearest 10 MPa

11

AS 1472W79

APPENDIX A
PURCHASING GUIDELINES
Al GENERAL. Australian standards are intended to include the
technical provisions necessary for the supply of the material referred to in the
particular standard, but do not purport to comprise all the necessary
provisions of a contract In a number of cases the purchaser is either asked to
state his requirements or given a choice of optional requirements, and these
are contractual matters to be agreed upon between the purchaser and the
manufacturer.
This Appendix contains detailed explanation, advice and recommendations on the information to be supplied by the purchaser at the time of
enquiry and/or order
It aims at avoiding misunderstanding of the product requirements and
should result in the purchaser's receiving satisfactory material and service.
A2 INTENDED USELIAISON WITH THE MANUFACTURER. It
is recommended that before ordering and setting up for production, the
purchaser consults with the manufacturer regarding his requirements. This
enables the manufacturer to supply material suitable for the intended
purpose, as his experience can often assist the purchaser in this regard.
A3 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED BY THE PURCHASER.
A3.1 General Requirements. The purchaser should supply the
following information at the time of enquiry and/or order after making due
reference to the detailed explanation, advice and recommendations contained
in this Appendix(a) Quantity (mass) and delivery instructions (see Paragraph A4).
(b) Whether a specific chemical composition (ladle analysis) is required for
oil-hardened and tempered steel spring wire or soft-drawn steel spring
wire (see Clause 4.2.2 or 4.2.3 respectively).
(c) Diameter of wire and class of tolerance (see Paragraph A5).
(d) Condition and tensile range, as appropriate (see Clause 10).
(e) Any limitations in regard to coil mass and dimensions (see Paragraph
A6).
(f) Whether a certificate covering chemical analysis (ladle analysis),
mechanical properties, etc, is required (see Paragraph A9).
(g) Whether it is the intention of the purchaser to inspect the wire at the
manufacturer's works (see Paragraph A10)
(h) Any information concerning processing or end use that the purchaser
considers would assist the manufacturer (see Paragraph A2).

AS 14721979

13

12

A3.2 Special Requirements. The following requirements must be

agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer at the time of enquiry
and/or order:
(a) Whether an alternative maximum tensile strength for soft-drawn steel
spring wire is required (see Note to item (c) of Clause 10).
(b) Whether a torsion test is required (see Clause 12) and limits of acceptance (see Paragraph A7.2).
(c) Whether special finishing, packing or handling is required (see Preface
and Paragraph A8).
(d) Other special or supplementary requirements.
A4 QUANTITY AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. The purchaser
should state the quantity (in tonnes), with delivery dates and schedules, and
the delivery point.
AS DIMENSIONS. Specific diameters listed in Tables 4,5 and 6 herein
are in accordance with AS 1153. It should be noted that gauge systems will
disappear with the changeover to International System (SI) units, and
diameters will be specified in terms of whole numbers and/or decimals of
millimetres.
The series of wire diameters specified follow a rounded-off series of
numbers known as 'preferred numbers' or 'Renard' (R) numbers which have
been adopted internationally and included in ISO/ R 388 of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO). The R20 series has been adopted in
this standard and it is recommended that if intermediate diameters are
required, preference should be given to the R40 senes of preferred diameters
(see Appendix A of AS 1153 and SAA MP19).
A6 LIMITATIONS. The purchaser should ensure that his equipment can
handle the coils ordered, and if any limitations exist in respect of coil mass or
dimensions, this should be stated at the time of enquiry and/or order.
A7 TEST REQUIREMENTS.
A7.1 Facilities for Testing. Normally manufacturers provide and
prepare the necessary samples, and supply labour and appliances for any
testing required to ensure compliance with this standard and for any special
testing required by the purchaser.
Matenal for testing remains the property of the manufacturer unless
otherwise agreed.
A7.2 Torsion Test (See Clause 12). The torsion test is an optional test,
subject to negotiation between the purchaser and the manufacturer at the
time of enquiry and/or order.
Table A1 may be used as the basis for negotiation in the determination of
acceptance limits.

AS 1472-1979

TABLE Al
TORSION TEST REQUIREMENTS

Specified diameter

5
3
1
4
Minimum number of torsions
without fracture

From

Up to and incl.

Rantel

Rant* 2

Ranges

0.56
0.71
1.01
1.51
2.01
301
401
601

055
070
100
150
200
300
400
600
800

28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20

23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15

18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10

A7.3 Independent Tests. In the event of a dispute as to the compliance

of the wire with the requirements of this standard, the purchaser and the
manufacturer should agree to have the wire tested by an independent testing
authority, whose results should be accepted as final.
Facilities for such testing are afforded by laboratories registered by the
National Association of Testing Authonties, Australia, and should be
considered.
The methods of sampling for analysis and the methods of analysis should
not be less accurate than the following
AS 1050
Methods for the Analysis of Iron and Steel (Metric Units)
AS 1213 Methods for the Sampling of Iron, Steel, Permanent
Magnet Alloys and Ferro-alloys
AS Kl
Methods for the Sampling and Analysis of Iron and Steel
A8 SPECIAL FINISHING, PACKING OR HANDLING REQUIREMENTS.
A8.1 Special Finishing. Metallic or other coatings are avilable, but
these are subject to agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer
at the time of enquiry and /or order
A8.2 Special Handling Requirements. The purchaser should indicate
at the time of enquiry and/or order whether any special packing or transportation is required
A9 TEST CERTIFICATE. Where requested by the purchaser at the time
of enquiry and /or order, the manufacturer will provide a certificate showing
the results of tests earned out for the purpose of establishing compliance with
this standard, and there is no need or provision for a separate certificate of
compliance. It should be noted that the chemical composition of the steel is
based on ladle analysis

AS 1472-1979

14

A10 INSPECTION. Inspection at the manufacturer's works may be a

statutory requirement or may be considered desirable for a first run of
material, but is usually not otherwise requested, since the purchaser may
reject wire if faults are revealed in subsequent processing (see Clause 5).
If it is the purchaser's intention to undertake any of the following
functions at the manufacturer's works, this should be notified at the time of
enquiry and/ or order, and should be accomplished in a manner which will not
interfere with the operation of the works:
(a) Inspecting the wire
(b) Selecting and identifying the test samples.
(c) Witnessing the tests being made.
The manufacturer should afford the purchaser all reasonable facilities
to satisfy himself that the wire is in accordance with the standard.

15

APPENDIX

AS 1472-1979

ROUNDING OF NUMBERS
Bl ROUNDING OFF. The following procedure is to be used in rounding
off numbers:
(i) Choose the rounding (up or down) whichever is the nearer. In
general this will be evident.
(ii) If, despite the use of all the figures which can be obtained from the
data, the figures to be discarded fall exactly between two alternative
prospective round values, and there is no evidence to indicate in
which direction to round, choose the even round value. This rule
applies to both positive and negative values.
Rounding off should be earned out in one operation. If a value, e.g. of
99.253 percent, is to be rounded off to one place of decimals, the figures in the
second and third decimal places should be considered together, the roundedoff value being 99.3 percent. If rounding off is carried out in two operations
and incorrect figure may be obtained in the last place, e.g. if 99.253 percent is
rounded off in two operations, it first becomes 99.25 percent and then 99.2
percent.
Where the figure next beyond the last figure or place to be retained is 5, or
a 5 followed only by zeros, the figure in the last place retained shall be
(a) increased by one if it is odd, and
(b) left unchanged if even.
NOTE Zero would be regarded as an even number for this purpose.

As examples of the above rule

0.0505 is rounded off to 0.050
0.15 is rounded off to 0.2
10.5 is rounded off to 10
99.84 is rounded off to 99.8
99.85 is rounded off to 99.8
99 851 is rounded off to 99.9
99.86 is rounded off to 99.9
B2 MEANING TO BE ATTACHED TO NUMERICAL VALUES OF
MAXIMA AND MINIMA. The interpretation to be placed on the
maxima and minima given in this standard for chemical composition and
mechanical properties is to be in accordance with the following examples

AS 14721979

16

PUBLICATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION

A list of Australian Standards may be purchased or inspected at

any office of the Association.

value
.xtaB

OFFICES OF THE ASSOCIATION

or UoUt or raaf e)

16

15.5 and over

The figure in the last place retained

is odd (5) and it is therefore
increased by one.

15

Over 145

The figure in the last place retained

is even (4) and it is therefore
left unchanged.

16.0
15.0
16.00
15.00

15.95 and over

14.95 and over
15.995 and over
14 995 and over

The figure in the last place retained

is odd (9) and it is therefore
increased by one.

14.7

Over 14.65

The figure in the last place retained

is even (6) and it is therefore left
unchanged.

32

Up to and incL 32.5

The figure in the last place retained

is even (2) and it is therefore left
unchanged.

33

Under 33.5

The figure in the last place retained

is odd (3) and it is therefore
increased by one.

320
33.0
32.00
3300

Up to
Up to
Up to
Up to

B3

and ind.
and ind.
and incl.
and incl.

32.05
33 05
32.005
33 005

The figure in the last place retained

is even (0) and it is therefore left
unchanged.

REFERENCES.
BS 1957
BS 2846
ASTM 29
IS.2

Presentation of Numerical Values (Fineness of

expression; Rounding of Numbers)
Guide to Statistical Interpretation of Data
Designating Significant Places in Specified Limiting
Values
Indian Standard Rules for Rounding Off Numerical
Values

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