Copper-Silicon Alloy Wire for General Applications

B99/B99M-11: Standard Specification for Copper-Silicon Alloy Wire for General Applications

When specifying materials for a wide array of engineering applications, ensuring consistent quality and performance is paramount. The ASTM B99/B99M-11 standard provides an authoritative framework for copper-silicon alloy wire, offering engineers and designers a proven benchmark for materials destined for general, non-electrical purposes. This essential specification plays a critical role in manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance processes across numerous industries.

What is B99/B99M-11?

ASTM B99/B99M-11 is an industry-leading standard that defines the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional tolerances for copper-silicon alloy wire. Developed by ASTM International, this comprehensive specification ensures that wire designated for general applications meets stringent performance criteria, facilitating reliable product development and manufacturing.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the production and procurement of round, rectangular, and square copper-silicon alloy wire, specifically excluding applications for electrical transmission cables. It covers UNS Nos. C65100 and C65500 alloys, detailing requirements for chemical makeup, available tempers, grain size for annealed conditions, and mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation. The purpose is to establish a clear understanding of acceptable material characteristics for general-use wire products.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Metallurgists, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, and Purchasing Agents involved in specifying or procuring copper-silicon alloy wire.
• • Industries affected: Manufacturing, Metal Products, Automotive, Aerospace, and Construction sectors.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but widely adopted as best practice and often required by contract specifications.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through mill test reports, third-party inspections, and material certifications.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard requires adherence to specific chemical composition limits for UNS C65100 and C65500 alloys, ensuring predictable material behavior.
• • Professionals must ensure the wire meets defined mechanical property requirements, including tensile strength and elongation, appropriate for its intended temper.
• • Key provisions include specific requirements for grain size in annealed conditions, crucial for ductility and formability.
• • The specification mandates compliance with general requirements for wrought copper alloy wire as outlined in ASTM B250/B250M, covering aspects like workmanship and permissible variations.
• • Bending requirements are detailed to ensure the wire can withstand forming operations without structural compromise.

Related Standards & References

This specification is closely integrated with ASTM B250/B250M, which provides general requirements for wrought copper alloy wire, including aspects like sampling, testing, and packaging. For tensile testing, ASTM E8/E8M provides the authoritative methods, ensuring consistent and reliable mechanical property evaluations. Chemical analysis methods, such as those described in ASTM E478 and ASTM E62 (though E62 is withdrawn), are referenced for verifying composition.