Designation: A 512 06

Standard Specification for

Cold-Drawn Buttweld Carbon Steel Mechanical Tubing1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 512; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers cold-drawn buttweld carbon
steel tubes for use as mechanical tubing.
1.2 This specification covers round, square, rectangular, and
special shape mechanical tubing.
1.3 Round tube size ranges covered are outside diameters up
to 3 12 in. (88.9 mm) and wall thickness from 0.035 to 0.500
in. (0.89 to 12.70 mm).
1.4 Optional supplementary requirements are provided and,
when desired, shall be so stated in the order.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.

3. Ordering Information
3.1 Orders for material under this specification should
include the following, as required, to describe the required
material adequately:
3.1.1 Quantity (feet, weight (Note 1), or number of lengths),
NOTE 1The term weight is temporarily used in this specification
because of established trade usage. The word is used to mean both force
and mass, and care must be taken to determine which is meant in each
case (SI unit for force = newton and for mass = kilogram).

3.1.2 Name of material (buttweld carbon steel mechanical

tubing),
3.1.3 Form (round, square, rectangular, special shape),
3.1.4 Condition, description and code letters (Section 5),
3.1.5 Grade, if required (Section 6),
3.1.6 Dimensions (round, Section 9 or square and rectangular, Section 10),
3.1.7 Length (round length, 9.2; square and rectangular
length, 10.5),
3.1.8 Burr removal (Section 11),
3.1.9 Report of chemical analysis and products analysis, if
required,
3.1.10 Individual supplementary requirements if required
(S1 through S5),
3.1.11 Special requirements,
3.1.12 End use,
3.1.13 Specification designation,
3.1.14 Special marking (Section 15), and
3.1.15 Special packaging (Section 16).

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products
A 1040 Guide for Specifying Harmonized Standard Grade
Compositions for Wrought Carbon, Low-Alloy, and Alloy
Steels
E 59 Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determination
of Chemical Composition3
2.2 Military Standards:4
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products Preparation for Shipment and Storage
2.3 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)4

4. Materials and Manufacture

4.1 The steel shall be made by any process.
4.2 If a specific type of melting is required by the purchaser,
it shall be as stated on the purchase order.
4.3 The primary melting may incorporate separate degassing or refining, and may be followed by secondary melting,
such as electroslag or vacuum-arc remelting. If secondary
melting is employed, the heat shall be defined as all of the
ingots remelted from a single primary heat.
4.4 Steel may be cast in ingots or may be strand cast. When
steel of different grades is sequentially strand cast, identification of the resultant transition material is required. The

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.09 on Carbon Steel Tubular Products.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published October 2006. Originally
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A 512 96 (2005).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.
4
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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

A 512 06
TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements for Other Carbon GradesA

producer shall remove the transition material by an established

procedure that positively separates the grades.
4.5 Tubes shall be made by the furnace buttweld process.
4.6 Tubes shall be cold finished, either externally only
(sunk) or externally and internally (mandrel drawn).
5. Condition
5.1 The purchaser shall specify in the order one of the
following conditions:
MD (Mandrel Drawn)No final thermal treatment
SD (Sink Drawn)No final thermal treatment
MDSRMandrel Drawn and Stress Relieved
SDSRSink Drawn and Stress Relieved
MDSAMandrel Drawn and Soft Annealed or normalized
SDSASink Drawn and Soft Annealed or normalized
NORM-MD-SRNormalized, Mandrel Drawn, and Stress
Relieved
NORM-SD-SRNormalized, Sink Drawn, and Stress Relieved

Grade
DesignationB

Carbon

Manganese

Phosphorus, max

Sulfur, max

1008
1010
1012
1015
1016
1018
1019
1020
1021
1025
1026
1030
1035
1110
1115
1117

0.10 max
0.080.13
0.100.15
0.130.18
0.130.18
0.150.20
0.150.20
0.180.23
0.180.23
0.220.28
0.220.28
0.280.34
0.320.38
0.080.13
0.130.20
0.140.20

0.300.50
0.300.60
0.300.60
0.300.60
0.600.90
0.600.90
0.701.00
0.300.60
0.600.90
0.300.60
0.600.90
0.600.90
0.600.90
0.300.60
0.600.90
1.001.30

0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040

0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.130C
0.130C
0.130C

A
Rimmed or capped steels which may be used for the above grades are
characterized by a lack of uniformity in their chemical composition, and for this
reason product analysis is not technologically appropriate unless misapplication is
clearly indicated.
B
Other analyses are available.
C
Grades 1110, 1115, and 1117 shall contain 0.08 min % sulfur.

6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to
chemical composition prescribed in Table 1 or Table 2 (see
Specification A 1040) and Table 3.
6.2 When a grade is ordered under this specification, supplying an alloy grade that specifically requires the addition of
any element other than those listed for the ordered grade in
Table 1 or Table 2 is not permitted.

TABLE 3 Tolerances for Product Analysis for Steels Shown in

Table 1
Element

Carbon
Manganeses

7. Heat Analysis
7.1 An analysis of each heat of steel shall be made by the
steel manufacturer to determine the percentages of the elements specified; if secondary melting processes are used, the
heat analysis shall be obtained from one remelted ingot or the
product of one remelted ingot of each primary melt. The heat
analysis shall conform to the requirements specified, except
that where the heat identity has not been maintained or where
the analysis is not sufficiently complete to permit conformance
to be determined, the chemical composition determined from a
product analysis made by the tubular manufacturer shall
conform to the requirements specified for heat analysis. When
requested in the order or contract, a report of such analyses
shall be furnished to the purchaser.
7.2 A report of this analysis shall be furnished only when
requested on the order.

Phosphorus
Sulfur

Chemical Composition Limits, %

MT
MT
MT X
MT
MT X

1010
1015
1015
1020
1020

Carbon

Manganese

Phosphorus, max

Sulfur, max

0.050.15
0.100.20
0.100.20
0.150.25
0.150.25

0.300.60
0.300.60
0.600.90
0.300.60
0.701.00

0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04

0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045

Limit, or Maximum
of Specified
Range, %
To 0.15, incl
Over 01.5
To 0.60, incl
Over 0.60
...
...

Variation, Over Maximum Limit or

Under Minimum Limit
Under min, %

Over max, %

0.02
0.03
0.03
0.04
...
...

0.03
0.04
0.03
0.04
0.01
0.01

8. Product Analysis
8.1 When requested on the purchase order, a product analysis shall be made by the manufacturer. The chemical composition thus determined shall conform to the requirements
prescribed in Table 1 or Table 2 as modified by Table 3.
8.2 The product analysis limits shown for carbon are not
normally applicable to the MT grades.
8.3 The number and source of samples for such product
analysis shall be based on the individual heat or lot identity of
one of the following forms of material.
8.3.1 Heat Identity MaintainedOne product analysis per
heat on either a billet, a length of flat rolled stock, or a tube.
8.3.2 Heat Identity Not MaintainedOne product analysis
from one tube per 2000 ft (610 m) or less for sizes over 3 in.
(76.2 mm), or one product analysis from one tube per 5000 ft
(1524 m) or less for sizes under 3 in. (76.2 mm).
8.4 If the original test for product analysis fails, retests of 2
additional billets, 2 lengths of flat rolled stock, or 2 tubes shall
be made. Both retests for the elements in question shall meet
the requirements of this specification; otherwise all remaining
material in the heat or lot shall be rejected, or at the option of
the producer, each billet, length, flat rolled stock, or tube may
be individually tested for acceptance.
8.5 Samples for product analysis, except for spectrochemical analysis, shall be taken in accordance with Practice E 59,

TABLE 1 Chemical RequirementsA

Grade
Designation

Chemical Composition Limits, %

A
Rimmed or capped steels which may be used for the above grades are
characterized by a lack of uniformity in their chemical composition, and for this
reason product analysis is not technologically appropriate unless misapplication is
clearly indicated.

A 512 06
TABLE 5 Permissible Variations in LengthRound Tubing

and the composition thus determined shall correspond to the

requirements in applicable section or table.

Lengths 4 ft (1.2 m) and underup to 2 in. (50.8

mm) diameter
Lengths 4 ft (1.2 m) and underover 2 in. (50.8
mm) diameter
Lengths 4 ft to 10 ft (1.2 to 3.0 m), inclup to 2
in. (50.8 mm) diameter
Lengths 4 ft to 10 ft (1.2 to 3.0 m), inclover 2
in. (50.8 mm) diameter
Lengths 10 ft to 24 ft (3.0 to 7.3 m), inclall
diameters
Lengths over 24 ft (7.3 m)all diameters

9. Permissible Variations in Dimensions of Round Tubing

9.1 Diameter and Wall Thickness:
9.1.1 Variations in outside diameter, inside diameter, and
wall thickness shall not exceed the amounts prescribed in Table
4.
9.1.2 These variations apply to round, unannealed, and
stress-relieved tubing.
9.1.3 Diameter tolerance includes ovality.
9.1.4 Sink tubing is normally ordered by outside diameter
and nominal wall. Mandrel-drawn tubing is normally ordered
by outside diameter and inside diameter and may be ordered by
outside diameter or inside diameter and wall thickness but not
by all three dimensions.
9.2 LengthRandom lengths between acceptable limits
will be furnished, utilizing the full mill length. Tubing will be
cut in half if specified. Full length random tubing will have a
spread not exceeding 7 ft (2.1 m). Half-length random tubing
will have a spread not exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m). Not more than
10 % of the total footage of a shipment may be furnished in
lengths shorter than the minimum specified but not less than
6 ft (1.8 m).
9.2.1 When specified, multiple lengths will be furnished and
should include allowances made for the customers cutting tool
width and grippage. Maximum and minimum lengths may be
specified with the understanding that not more than 10 % of the
total footage in a shipment may be furnished in individual
multiples cut to the customers specifications.
9.2.2 Variations from the specified length shall not exceed
the amounts prescribed in Table 5.
9.3 Straightness:
9.3.1 A round tube shall be considered straight provided that
no 3-ft (0.9-m) section departs from a straight line by more
than 0.030 in. (0.76 mm).
9.3.2 The straightness of round tubes shorter than 3 ft (0.9
m) shall be proportionate to 0.010 in./ft (0.8 mm/m).
9.3.3 These straightness tolerances do not apply to softannealed tubing nor to long lengths of small diameter tubing.

6 132 in. (0.8 mm)

6364 in. (1.2 mm)
6364 in. (1.2 mm)
6116 in. (1.6 mm)
618 in. (3.2 mm)
618 in. (3.2 mm)A

Plus an additional tolerance of 6116 (1.6 mm) for each 10 ft (3.0 m) or fraction
over 24 ft (7.3 m).

10. Permissible Variations in Dimensions of Square and

Rectangular Tubing
10.1 Outside Dimensions and Wall ThicknessVariations
in largest outside dimensions across flats and wall thickness
shall not exceed the amounts prescribed in Table 6.
10.2 Corner RadiiThe corners of square and rectangular
tubes shall be slightly rounded inside and slightly rounded
outside consistent with wall thickness. The outside corners
may be slightly flattened. The radii of corners for square and
rectangular cold-finished buttweld tubes shall be in accordance
with Table 7. Special radii may be obtained.
10.3 Squareness TolerancePermissible variations for the
side of square and rectangular tube shall be determined by the
following equation:
6 b 5 c 3 0.006, in. ~mm!

where:
b = tolerance for out-of-square, and
c = largest external dimensions across flats, in. (mm).
The squareness of sides is commonly determined by one of
the following methods:
10.3.1 A square, with two adjustable contact points on each
arm, is placed on two sides. A fixed feeler gage is then used to
measure the maximum distance between the free contact point
and the surface of the tubing.

TABLE 4 Diameter and Wall Thickness Tolerances for Round Tubing

Outside Diameter, in. (mm)

Inside Diameter, in. (mm)

Wall Thickness, %

Outside Diameter Range, in. (mm)

Over

Under

Over

Under

Over

Under

...
...
...

...
...
...

15A
10A
10A

15
10
10

1212
10

1212
10

Sunk
Up to 12 (12.7), excl
12 to 112 (12.7 to 38.1), excl
112 to 3 (38.1 to 76.2), incl

0.004 (0.10)
0.005 (0.13)
0.010 (0.25)

0
0
0
Mandrel Drawn

Less than 0.156 (3.96) wall:

Up to 12 (12.7), excl
12 to 112 (12.7 to 38.1), excl
0.156 (3.96) wall and over:
12 to 112 (12.7 to 38.1), excl
Under 0.156 (3.96) wall:
112 (38.1) and over
0.156 (3.96) wall and over:
112 (38.1) and over
A
B

0.004 (0.10)
0.005 (0.13)

0
0

0
0

0.010 (0.25)
0.005 (0.13)B

0.005 (0.13)

0.005 (0.13)B

0.010 (0.25)

...

0.010 (0.25)

10

10

0.010 (0.25)

0.010 (0.25)

Except at the weld line, where the weld pad may exceed this figure.
Tubes with an inside diameter under 12 in. (12.7 mm) may require more than 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) inside diameter tolerance and the producer should be consulted.

A 512 06
TABLE 6 Outside Dimension and Wall Thickness Tolerances for Square and Rectangular Tubing
Largest Outside Dimension Across
Flats

Outside Dimension, Including Convexity or

Concavity

Wall Thickness

Over

Under

Wall Thickness Tolerance, 6, %

SinkA

Mandrel

15
10
10
10
10

1212
10
7
10
7

15
10
10
10
10

1212
10
7
10
7

Inch-Pound Units
in.

in.

in.

in.

To
Over 34 to 114
Over 34 to 114
Over 114 to 212
Over 114 to 212

over 0.065
under 0.156
0.156 and over
under 0.156
0.156 and over

0.010
0.015
0.015
0.020
0.020

0.010
0.015
0.015
0.020
0.020

mm

mm

mm

mm

over 1.65
under 3.96
3.96 and over
under 3.96
3.96 and over

0.25
0.38
0.38
0.51
0.51

0.25
0.38
0.38
0.51
0.51

34

SI Units

To 19.0
Over 19.0 to
Over 19.0 to
Over 31.8 to
Over 31.8 to
A

31.8
31.8
63.5
63.5

Except at the weld line where the weld pad may exceed this figure.

TABLE 7 Radii of Corners of Butt-Weld Square and Rectangular

Tubing
Wall Thickness, in. (mm)
0.065 to 0.083 (1.65 to 2.11), incl
Over 0.083 to 0.095 (2.11 to 2.41), incl
Over 0.095 to 0.109 (2.41 to 2.76), incl
Over 0.109 to 0.134 (2.76 to 3.40), incl
Over 0.134 to 0.156 (3.40 to 3.96), incl
Over 0.156 to 0.188 (3.96 to 4.78), incl
Over 0.188 to 0.250 (4.78 to 6.35), incl
Over 0.250 to 0.313 (6.35 to 7.95), incl
Over 0.313 to 0.375 (7.95 to 9.52), incl
Over 0.375 to 0.500 (9.52 to 12.70), incl

spread not exceeding 7 ft (2.1 m). Half-length random tubing

will have a spread not exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m). Not more than
10 % of the total footage of a shipment may be furnished in
lengths shorter than the minimum specified, but not less than 6
ft (1.8 m).
10.5.1 When specified, multiple lengths will be furnished
and should include allowances made for the customers cutting
tool width and grippage. Maximum and minimum lengths may
be specified with the understanding that not more than 10 % of
the total footage in a shipment may be furnished in individual
multiples cut to the customers specifications.
10.5.2 Variations from the specified length shall not exceed
the amounts prescribed in Table 9.
10.6 StraightnessThe straightness tolerance for square
and rectangular tubing shall be 116 in. in 3 ft (1:576).

Maximum Radii of
Corners, in. (mm)A

(3.6)
(4.8)
(5.2)
732 (5.6)
14 (6.4)
932 (7.1)
1132 (8.7)
716 (11.1)
12 (12.7)
1116 (17.5)
9 64
3 16

13 64

A
These tolerances apply to grades MT 1010 and MT 1015 steel only. Tolerances on other grades shall be established between the manufacturer and the
purchaser.

10.3.2 A square, equipped with direct-reading vernier, may

be used to determine the angular deviation which, in turn, may
be related to distance to inches.
10.4 Twist ToleranceVariation in twist for square and
rectangular tubing shall not exceed the amounts prescribed in
Table 8. The twist in square and rectangular tubing may be
measured by holding one end of the tubing on a surface plate
and noting the height of either corner of the opposite end of
same side above the surface plate. Twist may also be measured
by means of a beveled protractor equipped with a level. The
angular deviation is measured on opposite ends or at any point
throughout the length.
10.5 LengthRandom lengths between acceptable limits
will be furnished, utilizing the full mill length. Tubing will be
cut in half if specified. Full length random tubing will have a

11. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance

11.1 Tubes shall have a surface finish compatible with the
conditions (Section 5) to which the tubes are ordered.
11.2 Special surface preparations as may be required for
specific applications are not within the scope of this section.
Such requirements shall be considered under the supplementary or basis of purchase provisions of this specification, and
details shall be provided in the purchase order.
11.3 The tubing shall be free of injurious defects and shall
have a workmanlike finish. Surface imperfections such as
handling marks, straightening marks, light die marks, or
shallow pits are not considered injurious.
11.4 The tubing shall be free of scale. In the case of
thermally treated tubing, a slight amount of color will not be
considered cause for rejection.

TABLE 8 Twist Tolerance, Square and Rectangular Mechanical

Tubing
Largest Dimension, in. (mm)
Under 12
12 to 112
Over 112
Over 212

(12.7)
(12.7 to 38.1), incl
to 212 (38.1 to 63.5), incl
(63.5)

TABLE 9 Permissible Variation in LengthSquare and

Rectangular Tubing

Twist Tolerance in 3 ft,

in. (in 1 m, mm)
0.050
0.075
0.095
0.125

Lengths
Lengths
Lengths
Lengths
Lengths

(0.014)
(0.020)
(0.026)
(0.035)

3 ft (0.9 m) and under

over 3 to 12 ft (0.9 to 3.7 m), incl
over 12 to 20 ft (3.7 to 6.1 m), incl
over 20 to 30 ft (6.1 to 9.1 m), incl
over 30 to 40 ft (9.1 to 12.2 m), incl

6116 in. (1.,6 mm)

6132 in. (2.4 mm)
618 in. (3.2 mm)
6316 in. (4.8 mm)
638 in. (9.5 mm)

A 512 06
identified by a tag or stencil with the manufacturers name or
brand, grade or material, purchasers order number, and this
specification number (ASTM designation).
15.2 Bar CodingIn addition to the requirements in 15.1
and 15.3 bar coding is acceptable as a supplemental identification method. The purchaser may specify in the order a
specific bar coding system to be used.
15.3 Government ProcurementWhen specified in the contract or order, and for direct procurement by or direct shipment
to the government, marking for shipment, in addition to
requirements specified in the contract or order, shall be in
accordance with MIL-STD-129 for Military agencies and in
accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123 for civil agencies.

11.5 Saw cut tubes will be furnished without removing

outside diameter and inside diameter burrs.
11.6 Lathe cut tubes will be furnished with outside diameter
burr only removed.
11.7 Burr removal may be obtained by so specifying in the
purchase order.
12. Machining AllowanceRound Tubing
12.1 For the method of calculating the tube size required to
clean up machining to a particular finished part, see Appendix
X1.
13. Coating
13.1 Unless otherwise specified, the outside surface of the
tubing shall be coated, before shipping, with a film of rustretarding oil. Unless otherwise specified, the inside surface of
the tubing may also be coated with a film of rust-retarding oil
at the option of the manufacturer. When the order specifies that
the tubing be shipped without rust-retarding oil, the film of oils
incidental to manufacturing will remain on the surfaces. If the
order specifies no oil, the purchaser assumes responsibility for
rust in transit.

16. Packaging
16.1 Civilian ProcurementThe manufacturer, at his option, will box, crate, carton, package in secured lifts, or bundle
to ensure safe delivery. Special packaging requiring extra
operations other than those normally used by the manufacturer
must be specified on the order.
16.2 Government ProcurementWhen specified in the contract or order, and for direct procurement by or direct shipment
to the government when Level A is specified, preservation,
packaging, and packing shall be in accordance with the Level
A requirements of MIL-STD-163.

14. Rejection
14.1 Tubes that fail to meet the requirements of the specification shall be set aside, and the manufacturer shall be
notified.
15. Product Marking
15.1 Civilian ProcurementEach box, bundle, lift, or,
when individual pieces are shipped, each piece shall be

17. Keywords
17.1 carbon steel tube; mechanical tubing; steel tube

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
These requirements shall not be considered unless specified in the order, and the necessary tests
shall be made at the mill. Mechanical property tests shall be performed in accordance with applicable
portions of Test Methods and Definitions A 370.
the purchase order. When Tensile Properties Required is
specified in the purchase order, the tubing shall conform to the
tension test requirements and not necessarily the hardness
limits shown in Table S1.1 or Table S1.2.

S1. Hardness and Tension TestsRound Tubing

S1.1 When hardness is specified in the order, the tubing
shall conform to the hardness limits specified in Table S1.1 or
Table S1.2, unless Tensile Properties Required is specified in

TABLE S1.1 Tensile and Hardness Requirements for Stress Relief Annealed Round Tubes
(0.2 % Offset)
Yield Strength,
min, ksi (MPa)

Tensile Strength, ksi (MPa)

Grade
min
MT1010
1011
MT1015
1016
MT1017
1018
MT1020
1025
1030
1110
1115

63
65
66
67
67
68
71
72
80
63
68

(434)
(448)
(555)
(462)
(462)
(469)
(490)
(496)
(552)
(434)
(469)

max
100
100
100
100
100
100
130
130
130
100
100

(689)
(689)
(689)
(689)
(689)
(689)
(896)
(896)
(896)
(689)
(689)

58
59
60
61
62
62
65
67
70
58
62

(400)
(407)
(414)
(421)
(427)
(427)
(448)
(462)
(483)
(400)
(427)

Elongation in
2 in. or 50 mm,
min, %
15
13
14
13
13
13
11
11
10
15
13

Rockwell Hardness
min
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

70
70
70
70
72
73
75
78
80
70
70

max
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
B
B

90
100
100
100
100
100
20
20
20
100
100

A 512 06
TABLE S1.2 Tensile and Hardness Requirements for Soft
Annealed Round Tubes
Grade

MT1010
MT1015
MT1020
MT1025
MT1030

Tensile
Strength,
min, ksi
(MPa)
40
43
50
55
65

(276)
(296)
(345)
(379)
(448)

Yield Strength,
min, ksi
(MPa)
20
25
30
35
40

(138)
(172)
(207)
(241)
(276)

Elongation
in 2 in.
or 50 mm,
min, %

Rockwell
Hardness

35
34
32
32
30

B 40 to B 65
B 40 min
B 50 min
B 55 min
B 60 min

outside diameter of the tube. Likewise, no cracks, other than

superficial surface ruptures, shall appear in the metal of the
tube other than the weld metal until the distance between the
flattening plates is less than three fifths of the outside diameter
of the tube.
S2.2 Number of Tests and Retests:
S2.2.1 One test per lot (Note S1.1).
S2.2.2 Two retests per lot (Note S1.1).
S3. Flaring TestRound Tubing
S3.1 A tapered mandrel having a slope of 1 in 10 shall be
driven into one end of a soft-annealed section cut to a suitable
length and thus expanding the specimen until the outside
diameter has been increased 5 %.
S3.2 Number of Tests and Retests:
S3.2.1 One test per lot (Note S1.1).
S3.2.2 Two retests per lot (Note S1.1).

S1.2 Number of Tests and Retests:

S1.2.1 HardnessOne percent of all tubes per lot (Note
S1.1),
S1.2.2 Tension:
S1.2.2.1 One test per lot (Note S1.1).
S1.2.2.2 The yield strength corresponding to a permanent
offset of 0.2 % of the gauge length of the specimen or to a total
extension of 0.5 % of the gauge length under load shall be
determined.
S1.2.3 If the results of the mechanical tests do not conform
to the requirements shown in Table S1.1 and Table S1.2, retests
shall be made on additional tubes double the original number,
each of which shall conform to the specified requirements.

S4. Nondestructive Electrical TestRound Tubing

S4.1 The manufacturer shall test the tubing by an electrical
method of nondestructive test for detection of harmful faults
and soundness of weld. The equipment used shall be capable of
indicating and rejecting all defects on the outside diameter or
inside diameter greater than 116 in. (1.6 mm) in length and to
a depth greater than approximately one fourth the wall thickness.

NOTE S1.1A lot shall consist of all tubes, before cutting to length, of
the same size and wall thickness which are produced from the same heat
of steel and, when heat treated, subjected to the same finishing treatment
in a continuous furnace. When final heat treatment is in a batch-type
furnace, the lot shall include only those tubes which are heat treated in the
same furnace charge.

S5. Certification for Government Orders

S5.1 A producers or suppliers certification shall be furnished to the Government that the material was manufactured,
sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with this specification and has been found to meet the requirements. This
certificate shall include a report of heat analysis (product
analysis when requested in the purchase order), and, when
specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of test
results shall be furnished.

S2. Flattening TestSoft-Annealed Round Tubing

S2.1 The weld shall be located 45 from the line of the
direction of applied force. No cracks other than superficial
surface ruptures shall appear in the weld until the distance
between the flattening plates is less than three fourths of the

APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. MACHINING ALLOWANCES
TABLE X1.1 Machining AllowancesA

X1.1 The minimum diameter stock allowance for removal

of imperfections by machining from the outside of the tube
when chucked concentrically on the tube outside diameter is
given in Table X1.1.

NOTE1 in. = 25.4 mm.

Wall Thickness, in.
Diameter, in.

X1.2 Boring Mandrel Drawn TubingWhen chucked concentrically with the outside diameter, mandrel drawn tubing
will clean up concentrically with the outside diameter on a
boring operation at a size derived from the following equation:
Ordered inside diameter =

Sink Drawn:
Up to 112
112 and over
Mandrel Drawn:
Up to 112
112 and over

finished inside diameter

(0.075 in. (1.90 mm) 3 original outside
diameter amount shown in Table X1.1).

Up to 0.200

0.200 and Over

0.025
0.030

0.030
0.035

0.020
0.025

0.025
0.030

A
If a specific size is desired, these allowances plus normal size tolerances must
be considered in calculating the size to be ordered.

A 512 06
over 1 12 in. These equations apply to tubes chucked within 2
in. (50.8 mm) of the end being bored.

X1.2.1 To this equation, add 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) when the
original outside diameter does not exceed 1 12 in. (38.1 mm);
add 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) when the original outside diameter is

SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
A 512 96(2005), that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved October 1, 2006)
(1) Revised Table 2 to agree with composition requirements
contained in Specification A 1040.
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).