Designation: F 289 96 (Reapproved 2002)

Standard Specification for

Molybdenum Wire and Rod for Electronic Applications 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 289; 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 Wire and Ribbon for Electronic Devices and Lamps 5

1.1 This specification covers two grades of molybdenum F 205 Test Method for Measuring Diameter of Fine Wire by
wire less than 0.050 in. (1.27 mm) in diameter and one grade Weighing 5
of molybdenum rod 1.00 in. (25.4 mm) or less in diameter as F 219 Test Methods of Testing Fine Round and Flat Wire for
follows: Electron Devices and Lamps 5
1.1.1 Grade 1Commercially pure molybdenum wire suit- 2.2 Federal Standard:
able for leads, hooks, supports, heaters, and metal-to-glass Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies) 6
seals. 2.3 Military Standard:
1.1.2 Grade 2Commercially pure molybdenum wire suit- MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage (Military
able for mandrel either black or cleaned. Agencies) 6
1.1.3 Grade 3Commercially pure molybdenum rod suit- 3. Chemical Composition
able for leads, hooks, supports, and metal-to-glass seals.
1.2 The term wire applies to all spooled or coiled material 3.1 All grades of wire and rod shall be 99.90 % minimum
and 0.050 in. (1.3 mm) or less in diameter and to short cut pure molybdenum. The maximum allowable oxygen content
lengths 0.020 in. (0.51 mm) or less in diameter. shall be 0.007 weight% , while the maximum carbon content
1.3 The term rod applies to all material over 0.020 in. (0.51 shall be 0.03 weight %.
mm) in diameter, supplied in straight lengths. 4. Mechanical Properties
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The metric equivalents of inch-pound units 4.1 Tensile Properties:
may be approximate, except for the size of the wire expressed 4.1.1 The tension test specimens and procedures shall con-
in milligrams per 200 mm. form to Methods F 219 for wire diameter up to and including
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 0.010 in. (0.25 mm), and Test Methods E 8 for all other wire
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the and rod diameters.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1.2 The tensile requirements of wire in sizes up to and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- including 0.020 in. (0.51 mm) in diameter shall conform to the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. requirements of Table 1 and shall be calculated by dividing the
breaking load in grams-force by the size of the wire expressed
2. Referenced Documents in milligrams per 200 mm.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1.3 The tensile requirements of wire in sizes over 0.020 in.
D 374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical (0.51 mm) up to 0.050 in. (1.3 mm) in diameter shall conform
Insulation 2 to the requirements of Table 2.
E 8 Test Methods of Tension Testing of Metallic Materials 3 4.1.4 The tensile requirements of rod shall be as agreed
E 315 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Molybde- upon between the purchaser and the supplier.
num 4 4.2 Ductility Properties:
F 16 Test Methods for Measuring Diameter or Thickness of 4.2.1 Wire up to 0.003 in. (0.08 mm) in diameter shall not
break when subjected to the test prescribed in 11.4.1.
4.2.2 Wire over 0.003 in. (0.08 mm) up to 0.020 in. (0.51
mm) in diameter shall not break or show cracks under
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on observation through a binocular microscope at 303 when
Electronics, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.03 on Metallic
Materials. subjected to the test prescribed in 11.4.2.
Current edition approved June 10, 1996. Published August 1996. Originally 4.2.3 Wire over 0.020 in. (0.51 mm) in diameter shall not
published as B 289 54 T; redesignated F 289 in 1956. Last previous edition
F 289 81 (1991).
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.04.
3 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.

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

1
 F 289
TABLE 1 Tensile Requirements
Elongation in 10 in.
Wire Size, Minimum Tensile Breaking Load, (250 mm), %
Maximum Diameter, A in. (mm)
mg/200 mm gf/(mg/200 mm)
Grade 1 Grade 2
Up to 4.11, incl 0.0020 (0.051) 50 >6 #6
Over 4.11 to 6.42, incl 0.0025 (0.064) 46 >6 #6
Over 6.42 to 10.53, incl 0.0032 (0.081) 44 >6 #6
Over 10.53 to 411.2, incl 0.020 (0.51) 40 >6 #6
A
Wire diameter, in. = 9.86 3 104 =weight in mg/200 mm.

TABLE 2 Tensile Requirement TABLE 3 Centerless-Ground Rod Diameter Tolerances

Minimum Tensile Elongation in 10 in. Permissible Variation in
Wire Diameter, in. Strength, psi (250 mm), % Specified Diameter, in. (mm) Diameter, plus or minus, in.
(mm) (MPa) Class Class (mm)
1, min 2, max
Over 0.020 (0.51) to 0.060 (1.53), incl 0.001 (0.025)
Over 0.020 (0.51) 64 000 (441) 6 6
Over 0.060 (1.54) to 0.500 (12.70), incl 0.002 (0.050)
to 0.050 (1.27)
Over 0.500 (12.71) to 1.00 in. (25.4), incl 0.003 (0.075)

7.2 Unless otherwise specified, all material shall be pro-

break or show cracks under unaided visual observation when
vided in the stress-relief annealed condition (not recrystal-
subjected to the test prescribed in 11.4.3.
lized).
4.2.4 Rod shall have ductility properties as agreed upon
between the purchaser and the supplier. 8. Straightness
8.1 When ordered as straightened, straightness of wire shall
5. Surface Finish
be specified as the radius of curvature or camber of a given
5.1 Molybdenum wire shall be furnished in the following length of wire as agreed upon between the purchaser and the
finishes: supplier.
5.1.1 As drawn, black, or 8.2 Rod and short cut lengths shall be straight to within 18
5.1.2 As drawn, cleaned. in. camber in 1 ft (or 3 mm camber in 300 mm) of length.
5.2 Molybdenum rod shall be furnished in the following
finishes: NOTE 1The straightness criterion in terms of maximum permissible
camber in an arbitrary length, L8, is calculated as the product of the known
5.2.1 Black, maximum permissible camber in a specified length, L, and the square of
5.2.2 Cleaned, or the ratio of L8 to L. As an example, consider L8 to be 3 ft. In inch-pound
5.2.3 Centerless ground. units, the maximum camber per 3-ft length = (18 in.) (31)2 = 118 in. In SI
5.3 Surfaces shall be smooth and free of contamination and units, the maximum camber per 760-mm length = (3 mm) (914300)2 = 28
pernicious surface defects. mm. The relation given constitutes an approximation valid for the purpose
as long as L8 is not too large; the exact solution can be obtained by
6. Dimensional Tolerances considering a circle with the camber in length L8 as one segment of a
diametral chord perpendicularly bisecting a chord of length L8.
6.1 For wire in diameters up to and including 0.020 in. (0.51
mm) in diameter the tolerance shall be 65 % of weight per 200 9. Coiling and Spooling
mm. The size of wire shall be uniform for Grades 1 and 3 9.1 The spools or bands shall be clean and free of seams or
within 2 weight % as measured at both ends of the wire; and projections that might catch or tangle the wire during unwind-
for Grade 2 within 1 weight % within the total length of the ing. The wire shall be in one continuous length and wound
wire. The standard size tolerance for wire in a diameter range smoothly in layers, with no piling upon turns, so that it
of 0.020 to 0.030 in. (0.51 to 0.76 mm) is6 3 % by diameter; unwinds freely without forming kinks. Inner and outer ends
but such wire can be ordered by any of several weight shall be firmly attached to the spool or band by suitable means.
tolerances (mg/200 mm) as agreed upon between the purchaser The spool shall be shipped in a container that will prevent
and the supplier. contamination of the wire. Ninety percent of the spools in a
6.2 For black or cleaned rod in diameters over 0.020 in. shipment of one size shall contain not less than 150 m for sizes
(0.51 mm) and wire over 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) the tolerance up to and including 0.006 in. (0.15 mm) in diameter, and not
shall be 63 % of the specified diameter. less than 100 m for sizes in the range over 0.006 to 0.012 in.
6.3 Out-of-roundness of wire over 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) in (over 0.15 to 0.30 mm) in diameter. No spools or bands shall
diameter and all rod except centerless ground shall be within be filled higher than 116 in. (1.6 mm) from the top of the flange.
4 % of the specified diameter, maximum. The size of spool, band, or coil shall be as agreed upon between
6.4 When centerless ground rod is specified, the diameter the purchaser and the supplier.
shall meet the tolerances shown in Table 3.
10. Sampling
7. General Requirements 10.1 The sample selected for testing shall be representative
7.1 The material shall be uniform in composition, cross of the material and form and shall not be contaminated by the
section, and in structural condition. sampling procedure.

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 F 289
10.2 Specific sampling procedures shall be agreed upon F 16 for wire over 0.020 in. (0.51 mm) to 0.050 in. (1.3 mm),
between the purchaser and the supplier. inclusive, in diameter.
11.5.2 Determine out-of-roundness in accordance with Test
11. Test Methods Methods F 219.
11.1 General Appearance and FinishCheck by visual
NOTE 2Methods F 219 incorporates references to Test Methods
inspection at 103 magnification. D 374.
11.2 Molybdenum ContentDetermine gravimetrically or
by a combination of analysis for impurities by spectrochemical 12. Inspection
and chemical methods. Impurity levels shall be as agreed upon 12.1 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase contract, the
between the purchaser and the supplier. In case of disagree- supplier is responsible for the performance of all inspection
ment, Test Methods E 315 shall be used as the referee method. requirements specified herein.
11.3 Tensile StrengthDetermine tensile properties in ac- 12.2 If the purchaser desires that his representative inspect
cordance with Test Methods F 219 for wire diameters up to or witness the inspection and testing of the product prior to
0.010 in. (0.25 mm), and Test Methods E 8 for all other wire shipment, such agreement shall be made between the purchaser
and rod diameters. and the supplier as part of the purchase contract.
11.4 DuctilityUse the ductility test appropriate to the wire
13. Rejection and Rehearing
diameter (see 4.2 for requirements): up to 0.003 in. (0.08 mm),
knife-edge test (11.4.1); from 0.003 to 0.020 in. (0.08 to 0.51 13.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
mm), inclusive, mandrel test (11.4.2); and for wire larger than this specification may be rejected. Rejection should be reported
0.020 in. (0.51 mm) but smaller than 0.050 in. (1.3 mm), bend to the supplier promptly and in writing. In case of dissatisfac-
test (11.4.2). tion with the results of the test, the supplier may make claim
11.4.1 Knife-Edge Ductility TestUsing at least 10 ft (or 3 for a rehearing.
m) of wire, with the spool or band in one hand and a knife in 13.2 Any spool of wire or individual cut piece that does not
the other, grasp the wire between the thumb and the edge of the conform to the specified requirements may be rejected. If 15 %
knife blade. Incline the knife blade at about 45 to the wire or more of the spools of wire or cut pieces in any shipment do
with the back of the blade positioned away from the spool or not conform to the specified requirements, the entire shipment
band. Apply pressure with the thumb on the wire and knife may be rejected.
blade and draw the latter along the free length of the wire at a 13.3 When agreement on rejection is established, the pur-
rate of about 3 ft/s (or 1 m/s). Apply pressure sufficient to form chaser shall return rejected material in a suitable container for
the wire into a continuous tight helix less than 316 in. (4 mm) shipping, using the original container if possible, so that the
in outside diameter when the tension is released. wire or rod may arrive at the suppliers plant in the same
11.4.2 Mandrel Ductility TestClamp one end of a mandrel condition as it left.
of diameter 112 times the diameter of the wire to be tested in 14. Product Marking
a bench vise. Grasp one end of a 10-in. (250-mm) wire 14.1 Each spool, band, coil, container of straight lengths, or
specimen in each hand and bend it in a plane perpendicular to rod shall be identified with the name of the supplier and the lot
the mandrel so as to wind tightly one wrap around the mandrel. number, size and quantity of material, date of shipment or date
Unwind in approximately the same plane, and then pull it to of manufacture, grade, and finish. In addition, each container of
substantial straightness. spools, bands, coils, or straight lengths shall contain the
11.4.3 Bend Ductility TestClamp one end of a mandrel of purchasers order number.
diameter 212 times the diameter of the wire to be tested in a 14.2 Special marking and packaging requirements shall be
bench vise. Coil wire around the mandrel, making sure that the as agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier.
space between turns is not greater than the diameter of the 14.2.1 For civilian Federal agencies, markings for shipment
wire. Form a minimum of 20 turns around the mandrel. shall be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123, and for military
11.5 Dimensions of WireDetermine wire dimensions as agencies, in accordance with MIL-STD-129.
follows:
11.5.1 Determine dimensions other than out-of-roundness in 15. Keywords
accordance with Test Method F 205 for wire up to and 15.1 electronic applications; molybdenum; molybdenum
including 0.020 in. (0.51 mm) in diameter and Test Methods wire and rod; stress-relief annealed condition

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 F 289

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