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Designation: A 290 95 (Reapproved 1999)

Standard Specification for

Carbon and Alloy Steel Forgings for Rings for Reduction
Gears1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 290; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 4. Ordering Information

1.1 This specification covers normalized and tempered, and 4.1 The purchaser shall specify in the inquiry, contract, and
quenched and tempered carbon and alloy steel forged or rolled order the class desired and the supplementary requirements, if
rings for reduction gears. any, which should apply.
1.2 Several classes of steel are covered as follows:
1.2.1 Classes A, B, C, and D are carbon steel. 5. Materials and Manufacture
1.2.2 Classes E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, P, and T are alloy 5.1 Melting Process:
steel. 5.1.1 The steel shall be produced by any of the following
1.2.3 All classes are considered weldable under proper primary processes: open hearth; basic oxygen; electric furnace;
conditions. Welding techniques are of fundamental importance or vacuum induction (V.I.M.). The primary melting may
and it is presupposed that welding procedure and inspection incorporate separate degassing or refining and may be followed
will be in accordance with proper methods for the class of by secondary melting using electroslag remelting (E.S.R.) or
material used. vacuum arc remelting (V.A.R.).
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 5.1.2 The molten steel may be vacuum degassed prior to or
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for during pouring of the ingot.
information only. 5.2 DiscardSufficient discard shall be taken from each
ingot to secure freedom from piping and undue segregation.
2. Referenced Documents 5.3 Forging ProcessThe forgings shall receive their hot
2.1 ASTM Standards: mechanical work under a press or a hammer, or in a mill, each
A 275/A275M Test Method for Magnetic Particle Exami- of ample power to work the metal uniformly through its
nation of Steel Forgings2 section. These forgings shall be upset or punched, trepanned,
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing and expanded.
of Steel Products3 5.4 Heat Treatment:
A 388/A388M Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of 5.4.1 Cooling Prior to Heat Treatment After forging and
Heavy Steel Forgings2 before reheating for heat treatment, the forgings shall be
E 44 Definitions of Terms Relating to Heat Treatment of allowed to cool in a manner to prevent injury, to accomplish
Metals4 transformation, and prevent flakes.
5.4.2 Heat treatment shall consist of normalizing and tem-
3. Terminology pering for classes A and B and quenching and tempering for all
3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions of the terms used in 5.4.2 may other classes.
be found in Definitions E 44. 5.4.2.1 NormalizingA furnace charge thus treated is
termed a normalizing charge.
5.4.2.2 QuenchingThe forgings shall be completely aus-
1
tenitized and then quenched in a suitable medium. A group thus
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel, treated is termed a quenching charge.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. 5.4.2.3 TemperingA furnace charge thus treated is termed
Current edition approved July 15, 1995. Published September 1995. Originally a tempering charge. Minimum tempering temperatures shall be
published as A 290 46 T. Last previous edition A 290 85 (1990) e1. as follows:
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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A 290 95 (1999)
Minimum Tempering Temperature
Class F (C)
A and B 1200 (650)
C, D, E, F, G, H, M, P 1100 (595)
I, J, K, L 1050 (565)
T 1000 (540)
5.5 Machining:
5.5.1 Rough machining before heat treatment for mechani-
cal properties may be performed at the option of the producer.
5.5.2 The forgings shall conform to the sizes and shapes
specified by the purchaser.
6. Chemical Composition
6.1 CompositionThe steel shall conform to the require-
ments for chemical composition prescribed in Table 1. Alter-
native compositions may be agreed upon in accordance with
Supplementary Requirement S1.1.
6.1.1 Heat AnalysisAn analysis of each heat of steel shall
be made by the manufacturer to determine the percentages of
the elements prescribed in Table 1. This analysis shall be made
from a test sample taken during the pouring of the heat. The
chemical composition thus determined shall be reported to the
purchaser or his representative and shall conform to the
requirements prescribed in Table 1.
6.1.2 Product AnalysisAn analysis may be made by the
purchaser from a forging representing each heat. Samples for
analysis may be taken from the forging or from a full-size
prolongation at any point midway between the inner and outer
surfaces of the ring or samples may be taken from the test
specimen. The chemical composition thus determined shall not
vary from the requirements prescribed in Table 1 by more than
the amounts prescribed in Table 2.
7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Tension and Impact Test RequirementsThe require-
ments for tensile and impact properties shall be as prescribed in
Table 3.
7.1.1 Number, Location, and Orientation of Test
SpecimensOn classes requiring tension tests, two tension test
specimens and two sets of impact tests shall be taken 180
apart from a full-size prolongation left on one end of each
individual forging or both ends of each multiple forging. The
test specimens shall be in a tangential direction at midwall of
the ring as close as practical to the end of the rough-machined
forging face.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
7.1.2 Test MethodFull-size tension and Charpy V-notch
impact tests shall be conducted in accordance with Test
Methods and Definitions A 370.
7.2 Brinell HardnessForgings shall be within the hard-
ness ranges specified in Table 3. The permissible variation of
hardness in any forging shall not exceed 30 numbers for all
classes except Classes K and L which shall be 40 numbers.
7.2.1 Number and Location of TestsBrinell hardness tests
shall be taken on each forging, regardless of weight or class,
after final heat treatment and final machining to dimensions
shown on the drawing submitted with the purchase order. Each
test shall be approximately 14 of the radial thickness from the
outside diameter. The number and location of the hardness tests
follows:
Outside Diameter, in. (cm) Number of Tests
To 40 (102) 1 on each end 180 apart
40 to 80 (102 to 203) 2 on each end 180 apart
80 to 120 (203 to 305) 3 on each end 120 apart
Over 120 (305) 4 on each end 90 apart
7.2.2 Test MethodTests shall be made in accordance with
Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
8.1 The forgings shall conform to the sizes and shapes
specified by the purchaser, shall be free from injurious defects,
and shall have a workmanlike finish.
9. Retests
9.1 If the results of the tension tests do not conform to the
requirements specified because a flaw develops in the test
specimen during testing, a retest shall be allowed if the defect
is not caused by flakes in the steel.
10. Inspection
10.1 The inspector representing the purchaser shall have
free entry, at all times while work on the contract of the
purchaser is being performed, to all parts of the manufacturers
works that concern the manufacture of the material ordered.
The manufacturer shall afford the inspector, without charge, all
reasonable facilities to satisfy him that the material is being
furnished in accordance with this specification. All tests and
inspection shall be made at the place of manufacture prior to
shipment, unless otherwise specified, and shall be so conducted
as not to interfere unnecessarily with the operation of the
works.
Composition, %

Element Classes Classes Classes Classes G, Classes Class

A and B C and D E and F H, I, J, K, M and P T
and L
Carbon 0.350.50 0.400.50 0.350.45 0.350.45 0.380.45 0.250.39
Manganese 0.600.90 0.600.90 0.701.00 0.600.90 0.400.70 0.200.60
Phosphorus, max 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.015
Sulfur, max 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.015
SiliconA, max 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.40 0.35
Nickel 0.30 max 0.30 max 0.50 max 1.652.00 0.30 max 3.254.00
Chromium 0.25 max 0.25 max 0.801.15 0.600.90 1.401.80 1.251.75
Molybdenum 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.150.25 0.200.50 0.300.45 0.300.70
Vanadium, max 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.10 0.03 0.050.15
Copper, max 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35
Aluminum ... ... ... ... 0.851.30 ...
A
When vacuum carbon deoxidation is used, silicon maximum shall be 0.10 %.

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A 290 95 (1999)
TABLE 2 Permissible Variations in Product Analysis

NOTE 1Product cross-sectional area is defined as either:

(a) maximum cross-sectional area of rough machined forging (excluding boring),
(b) maximum cross-sectional area of the unmachined forging, or
(c) maximum cross-sectional area of the billet, bloom, or slab.
Area taken at right angles to the axis of the original ingot or billet
Permissible Variation Over the Specified Maximum Limit or Under the Specified Minimum Limit, %
Up to and Over 100 to Over 200 to Over 400 to Over 800 Over 1600 in.2
Unit or Maximum Specified including 200 in.2 400 in.2 800 in.2 to 1600 in.2 (10 320 cm2)
Element
Range, % 100 in.2 (645 to 1290 (1290 to (2580 to (5160 to
(645 cm2) cm2), incl 2580 cm2), 5160 cm2), 10 320 cm2),
incl incl incl
Carbon ... 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.06
Manganese up to and including 0.90 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
0.91 and over 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.09
Phosphorus ... 0.008 0.008 0.010 0.010 0.015 0.015
Sulfur ... 0.008 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.015 0.015
Silicon ... 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.06
Nickel ... 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
up to and including 0.90 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.06
0.91 and over 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.08
Chromium up to and including 0.20 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03
0.21 to 0.40, incl 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04
Molybdenum 0.41 and over 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
Vanadium ... 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

TABLE 3 Mechanical Requirements

Class Tensile Strength, min, Yield Strength, Elongation Reduction in Brinell Hardness Charpy V-Notch
psi (MPa) 0.2 % Offset, in 2 in. or Area, min, Range at 70 to 80F
min, psi (MPa) 50 mm, min, % (21 to 27C),
% ftlbf (J)
A 80 000 (550) 45 000 (310) 22 45 163 to 202 10 (14)
B ... ... ... ... 163 to 202 ...
C 95 000 (655) 65 000 (450) 20 40 197 to 241 10 (14)
D ... ... ... ... 197 to 241 ...
E 105 000 (725) 75 000 (515) 20 45 223 to 269 30 (41)
F ... ... ... ... 223 to 269 ...
G 125 000 (860) 100 000 (690) 15 42 262 to 311 30 (41)
H ... ... ... ... 262 to 311 ...
I 145 000 (1000) 120 000 (825) 14 40 302 to 352 25 (34)
J ... ... ... ... 302 to 352 ...
K 170 000 (1175) 145 000 (1000) 10 35 341 to 401 20 (27)
L ... ... ... ... 341 to 401 ...
M 120 000 (825) 85 000 (585) 15 40 255 to 302 8 (11)
P ... ... ... ... 255 to 302 ...
T 170 000 (1175) 140 000 (960) 10 30 352 to 401 25 (34)

11. Rejection
11.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on tests
made in accordance with Section 7 shall be reported to the
manufacturer within 60 working days from the receipt of
samples by the purchaser.
11.2 Material that shows injurious defects subsequent to its
acceptance at the manufacturers works will be rejected and the
manufacturer shall be notified.
tured and tested in accordance with this specification together
with a report of not only the test results but also the final heat
treatment shall be furnished at the time of shipment.
13. Product Marking
13.1 Identification marks shall be legibly stamped on each
forging. The purchaser may indicate the desired location of
such identification marks.

12. Certification 14. Keywords

12.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order 14.1 alloy steel forgings; carbon steel forgings; gear rings;
a manufacturers certification that the material was manufac- heat-treated; reduction gears

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 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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A 290 95 (1999)
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

These requirements shall not be considered unless specified in the order in which event the
supplementary tests specified in S1 to S3 shall be made at the mill, unless otherwise agreed upon, and
witnessed by the purchasers inspector before shipment of the material.

S1. Chemical Requirements S4. Restricted ChemistryVanadium

S1.1 Alternate compositions may be agreed upon between
the manufacturer and the purchaser.
S2. Machining
S2.1 Rough machining prior to heat treatment for mechani-
cal properties may be specified by the purchaser.
S3. Nondestructive Testing
S3.1 Magnetic particle tests may be specified by agreement
between manufacturer and purchaser and if required should be
in accordance with Test Method A 275/A 275M.
S3.2 Ultrasonic tests may be specified by agreement be-
tween manufacturer and purchaser and if required should be in
accordance with Practice A 388/A 388M.
S4.1 The vanadium content shall be 0.03 % maximum for
Classes A, B, C, and D when determined in accordance with S1
and 5.1.2.
S5. Restricted ChemistryPhosphorus
S5.1 Phosphorus shall not exceed 0.015 %, and sulfur shall
not exceed 0.018 % for all Classes when determined in
accordance with 6.1.1 or at the locations specified in 6.1.2.
S6. Vacuum Degassing
S6.1 The molten steel shall be vacuum treated, prior to or
during pouring of the ingot to remove objectionable gases,
particularly hydrogen.

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