Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products

A370: Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products

For engineers and designers working with steel, understanding material properties is paramount to ensuring structural integrity and product performance. ASTM A370 provides the essential, industry-leading framework for verifying these critical mechanical characteristics, serving as the authoritative guide for consistent and reliable steel product evaluation.

What is A370?

ASTM A370, "Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products," is a comprehensive standard published by ASTM International. It establishes standardized procedures and definitions for conducting various mechanical tests on steel and its related alloys. The primary purpose of A370 is to ensure that mechanical property data obtained from different laboratories and testing facilities are reproducible and comparable, facilitating accurate material selection and quality control.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the procedures for performing essential mechanical tests on a wide range of steel products. Its scope includes tension testing, bend testing, hardness testing (Brinell, Rockwell, portable), and impact testing. A370 is designed to provide the data necessary for material specifications, allowing engineers to verify that steel products meet required performance criteria. While it covers general testing methods, product-specific requirements detailed in individual material specifications will take precedence if they differ from the general procedures outlined herein.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials engineers, quality control inspectors, metallurgists, test technicians, and product engineers.
• • Industries affected: Steel production, metal manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, construction, and machinery manufacturing.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary for general industry use, but often becomes mandatory when referenced in product specifications, contracts, or regulatory requirements.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through internal quality assurance programs, customer audits, third-party inspections, and regulatory agencies when applicable.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard requires the use of specific, proven test methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of steel products.
• • Professionals must ensure that tension, bend, hardness, and impact tests are conducted according to the detailed procedures described to obtain accurate and reproducible results.
• • Key provisions include precise definitions of mechanical testing terms and standardized specimen preparation to eliminate ambiguity.
• • It mandates the use of calibrated testing machines and verifiable instrumentation, referencing practices like ASTM E4 for force calibration.
• • The standard provides guidance on interpreting test results and their significance, particularly for impact testing, and addresses the conversion between imperial and metric units.

Related Standards & References

A370 is frequently used in conjunction with other ASTM standards. For example, ASTM E8/E8M (Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials) provides detailed guidance on tension testing, which A370 then applies specifically to steel products. ASTM E18 (Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials) and ASTM E10 (Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials) are referenced for specific hardness testing methods that A370 incorporates. Together, these standards form a robust system for the comprehensive mechanical characterization of steel.