Zinc-Coated Flat Steel Armoring Tape

A459-08: Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated Flat Steel Armoring Tape

For engineers and designers involved in the protection of critical infrastructure, understanding material specifications is paramount. ASTM A459-08 provides an essential framework for specifying and procuring zinc-coated flat steel armoring tape, a vital component in safeguarding electrical and telecommunications cables from mechanical damage. This authoritative standard ensures the reliability and longevity of power and communication networks by defining the quality and performance characteristics of this protective material.

What is A459-08?

ASTM A459-08 is the Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated Flat Steel Armoring Tape, originally published by ASTM International. Its primary purpose is to establish the material, manufacturing, and performance requirements for flat steel tape coated with zinc, specifically for use in the armoring of electrical cables. This standard is crucial for ensuring consistent quality and performance in demanding applications.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive standard governs the manufacturing and procurement of zinc-coated flat steel tape intended for use as both interlocking and flat armor for electrical cables. It details requirements for the base steel, the zinc coating process, coating weights, mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation, ductility, adherence of the coating, and permissible dimensional variations. The specification explicitly covers the tape in coil form and its suitability for cable protection applications, but does not extend to the cable design or installation practices themselves.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, Production Managers, Cable Designers, and Metallurgists involved in cable manufacturing and material procurement.
• • Industries affected: Electrical Cable Manufacturing, Steel Manufacturing, Industrial Manufacturing, Telecommunications Infrastructure, and Utilities.
• • Compliance nature: While often specified in purchase orders and contracts, compliance is generally voluntary unless mandated by specific project requirements or contractual agreements.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through quality control testing by manufacturers, inspection by purchasers, and adherence to quality management systems.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires the use of high-quality steel produced via basic-oxygen or electric-furnace processes. Professionals must ensure the zinc coating is applied consistently via hot-dip or electrogalvanizing to all surfaces, including edges, with three defined classes of coating weight available. Key provisions include stringent mechanical property requirements, such as maximum tensile strength and minimum elongation, to ensure the tape can withstand significant stress. Furthermore, the standard mandates specific ductility and adherence tests to confirm the coating's integrity under bending stresses and requires precise control over dimensional tolerances for width and thickness.

Related Standards & References

ASTM A459-08 is often used in conjunction with other ASTM standards. ASTM A90/A90M (Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings) is essential for verifying the specified coating weights. ASTM A902 (Terminology Relating to Metallic Coated Steel Products) provides standardized definitions for terms used within A459-08. Additionally, ASTM B6 (Specification for Zinc) may be referenced to ensure the quality of the zinc used in the coating process.