This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: A34/A34M − 06 (Reapproved 2018)

Standard Practice for

Sampling and Procurement Testing of Magnetic Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A34/A34M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This practice covers sampling procedures and test prac- 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
tices for determination of various magnetic properties of both A340 Terminology of Symbols and Definitions Relating to
soft and hard magnetic materials. Magnetic Testing
1.2 This practice may be used either in conjunction with, or
3. Terminology
independent of, the standard test methods and materials speci-
fications under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A06. In 3.1 Definitions:
the former situation, the sampling and testing procedures listed 3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to magnetic testing,
herein shall not supersede those found in the individual test reference shall be made to Terminology A340.
methods and materials specifications. In the latter situation, the
sampling and testing procedures listed herein shall strictly 4. Significance and Use
apply. 4.1 This practice defines test lots and describes the selection
1.3 The values and equations stated in customary (cgs-emu and preparation of test specimens used in the determination of
and inch-pound) or SI units are to be regarded separately as magnetic properties of various materials.
standard. Within this standard, SI units are shown in brackets 4.2 A method of calculating the density of iron-base elec-
except for the sections concerning calculations where there are trical steels is given and a table of assumed densities for
separate sections for the respective unit systems. The values magnetic testing of commercial soft magnetic alloys is pro-
stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, vided.
each system shall be used independently of the other. Combin-
ing values from the two systems may result in nonconformance 5. Test Lots
with this standard. 5.1 Wrought, Flat-Rolled, or Long Products:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 5.1.1 A test lot of wrought, flat-rolled, or long products shall
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the consist of not more than 50 000 lb [23 000 kg] of material.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5.1.2 A test lot may be composed of coils or cut lengths. A
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- test lot of coil product may consist of one or more coils having
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. essentially the same treatment and composition.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- 5.2 Amorphous Strip and Wire:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 5.2.1 A test lot shall consist of a continuously cast strip or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the wire in one coil without breaks. In practice this may represent
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- quantities up to 2200 lb [1000 kg].
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 5.3 Powder Metallurgically Produced Parts:
5.3.1 A test lot shall consist of parts of the same geometry
and dimensions, made from powder of the same composition,
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A06 on Magnetic
Properties and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A06.01 on Test
2
Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1911. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as A34/A34M – 06 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(2012). DOI: 10.1520/A0034_A0034M-06R18. the ASTM website.

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

1
 A34/A34M − 06 (2018)
molded and sintered under the same conditions, which have 6.5.1 Sampling shall consist of one sample per test lot
been submitted for inspection at one time. unless otherwise specified in the appropriate ASTM specifica-
5.4 Cast Parts: tion or by mutual agreement between the producer and
5.4.1 A test lot shall consist of parts of the same geometry purchaser.
and dimensions, made from the same casting heat, which have 6.6 Cast Parts:
been submitted for inspection at one time. 6.6.1 Sampling shall consist of one sample per test lot
unless otherwise specified in the appropriate ASTM specifica-
6. Sampling tion or by mutual agreement between the producer and
6.1 Electrical Steel Coils: purchaser.
6.1.1 From test lots in coil form, consisting of only one 7. Test Specimens
master coil, prepare the test strips from test sheets cut from one 7.1 The test specimens used for the determination of prop-
or both ends of the coil. erties of magnetic materials will vary in form, depending upon
6.1.2 When a test lot in coil form consists of several coils the test equipment and the dimensions of the material to be
sheared or slit from a master coil, the test strips shall be tested. Prepare the test specimens in a manner to adequately
prepared from test sheets representing one or both ends of the represent the areas being sampled. Standard forms include flat
master coil. strips, rings, bars, and links in accordance with the following
6.1.3 When a test lot in coil form consists of several coils practices.
having essentially the same treatment and composition, test 7.1.1 Flat Strips:
strips shall be prepared from test sheets cut from one or both 7.1.1.1 Except when otherwise established by mutual agree-
ends of enough master coils to be representative of the lot. ment between the producer and the purchaser, the Epstein test
6.2 Electrical Steel Cut Lengths: specimen shall be the standard specimen for determination of
6.2.1 When cut lengths are sheared from coil material the magnetic properties of flat-rolled electrical steels.
without subsequent treatments (such as roller leveling or cold 7.1.1.2 Standard Epstein test specimens shall be composed
rolling), the test on the original coil shall suffice. of test strips preferably cut from test sheets in a manner shown
6.2.2 Two or more test sheets shall be taken from the same in Fig. 1 (a) or (b). One half of the strips are cut parallel to and
lot of cut length steel that has been cold rolled or leveled. These the other half cut perpendicular to the direction of rolling.
test sheets shall not lie adjacent to each other, but shall be 7.1.1.3 If the width of the material does not permit cutting
selected in a manner to assure representative sampling. of strips perpendicular to the rolling direction, or, if the
6.3 Wrought Products Other Than Electrical Steels: material has preferred properties in any one direction with
6.3.1 Sampling shall be one sample per each heat applied to respect to the direction of rolling, or, if the material is to be
the order unless otherwise specified in the appropriate ASTM used with the flux in any one direction, all of the strips may be
specification or by mutual agreement between the producer and cut in a specified direction which shall be agreed upon by the
purchaser. producer and the purchaser. All lengthwise strips may be
selected as shown in Fig. 1 (c).
6.4 Amorphous Strip and Wire: 7.1.1.4 When fewer than the total number of strips obtained
6.4.1 Sampling shall consist of one sample from each end of from the sampled area are needed for the test specimen, the
each continuously cast coil unless otherwise specified in the excess strips should be discarded equally from all locations in
appropriate ASTM specification or by mutual agreement be- the sampled area. For instance, if approximately 1⁄4 of the total
tween the producer and purchaser. strips obtained is excess, every fourth strip should be dis-
6.5 Powder Metallurgically Produced Parts: carded.

FIG. 1 Suggested Distribution of Strips To Be Cut from Sheets for Magnetic Tests

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 A34/A34M − 06 (2018)
7.1.1.5 The Epstein test specimen shall consist of strips 9.1.4 Shaped bar and wire of a cross section not accurately
sheared or punched in a width of 3.00 cm [30.0 mm] and not measurable with a micrometer or calipers.
less than 28.0 cm [280 mm] long. If for ease of assembling the 9.2 Direct Measurement—The cross-sectional area shall be
specimen in the test frame, it is desired to use strips slightly calculated from direct measurements using a micrometer or
longer than 28.0 cm [280 mm], a length of 30.5 cm [305 mm] caliper. This method shall be used for the following specimen
is recommended. types:
7.1.1.6 Test strips shall be nearly rectangular as possible and 9.2.1 Bar and wire.
shall conform to the specified dimensions within 60.08 cm 9.2.2 Rings machined from solid samples.
[0.8 mm]. 9.2.3 Powder metallurgically produced parts.
7.1.1.7 Test strips shall be cut with sharp shears or dies to 9.2.4 Cast parts.
avoid excessive burring or distortion. 9.2.5 Link specimens.
7.1.1.8 Reports of test shall state specifically the manner in
which the test strips were cut if other than one half parallel and 10. Density
the other half perpendicular to the direction of rolling.
7.1.2 Rings: 10.1 For the determination of cross-sectional area of lami-
7.1.2.1 Ring specimen may be punched, laser cut, spirally nated or spirally wound test specimens, a calculation based on
wound, forged, machined, sintered, or cast. The specimens length, weight, and density is more accurate than measured
shall be of uniform radial width and cross-sectional area. They dimensions.
shall be continuous, having no joints or welds except where 10.1.1 Table 1 gives typical densities for commercial soft
specified or established by mutual agreement. magnetic alloys.
7.1.2.2 The ratio of mean diameter to radial width shall not 10.2 Electrical Steels (Customary Units):
be less than 10:1.
7.1.2.3 Sharp dies or shears shall be used in the preparation
of ring specimens of flat-rolled sheet material. TABLE 1 Densities of Soft Magnetic Materials
7.1.2.4 If the radial width of punched rings is less than Iron Base Alloys Density (g/cm3) A
3.0 cm [30 mm], work-hardened portions shall be removed
before testing by a heat treatment practice acceptable to both Low carbon magnetic iron 7.86
the producer and the purchaser. Spirally wound cores must also 17 % Cr Type 430 stainless 7.60
12 % Al-Fe 6.74
be heat treated before testing. 16 % Al-Fe 6.53
7.1.3 Bars:
7.1.3.1 Bar or rod specimens may be rolled, forged, Silicon-Iron and Aluminum-Bearing Silicon-Iron Alloys
machined, or cast. They shall be straight and of uniform cross (% Si + 1.7 × % Al) Assumed density
section and of sufficient size to meet the requirements of the (g/cm3)
testing equipment used. 0–0.62 7.85
0.63–1.38 7.80
7.1.4 Links: 1.39–2.15 7.75
7.1.4.1 Link specimens have the shape of a ring, flattened to 2.16–2.92 7.70
form semicircular ends and straight, parallel sides. The semi- 2.93–3.69 7.65
3.70–4.46 7.60
circular parts of a link shall have a ratio of mean diameter to 4.47–5.23 7.55
radial width not less than 10:1.
Nickel-Iron Alloys

8. Uniformity of Test Specimens 45 % Ni-Fe 8.17

48.5 % Ni-Fe 8.25
8.1 The cross section of the test specimens shall be as 52 % Ni-Fe 8.30
uniform along the magnetic path length as commercial practice 77 % Ni, 2 % Cr, 5 % Cu-Fe 8.58
permits. Any deviation from uniformity shall be as agreed upon 78.5 % Ni-Fe 8.60
80 % Ni, 4 % Mo-Fe 8.74
between the producer and purchaser. Specimens shall be 80 % Ni, 5 % Mo-Fe 8.77
prepared and heat treated without warping. Cast specimens Nickel (99.95 % Ni + Co) 8.90
shall be machined or ground to a cross section uniform within
Cobalt-Iron Alloys
1 % unless otherwise agreed upon between the producer and
the purchaser. 27 % Co, 0.6 % Cr-Fe 7.95
36 % Co-Fe 8.00
49 % Co, 2 % V-Fe 8.12
9. Cross-Sectional Area of Test Specimens 49 % Co-Fe 8.15
9.1 Density Method—The cross-sectional area shall be cal- Cobalt 8.85

culated from measurements of weight and length using a Amorphous Alloys

density value in accordance with Section 10. This method shall
Iron base 7.20
be used for the following specimen types: Nickel base 7.90
9.1.1 Epstein strips. Cobalt base 7.59
9.1.2 Laminated stacks of rings or other shapes. A
To convert density to SI units of kg/m3, multiply by 1000.
9.1.3 Spirally wound strip, tape, and wire cores.

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 A34/A34M − 06 (2018)
10.2.1 For iron base alloys, the average relationship be- 11. Temperature of Test
tween density and silicon content or silicon and aluminum
11.1 All tests shall be made at 25 6 5°C unless agreed upon
content, both in weight percent, is given by the equation:
by the producer and purchaser.
δ 5 7.865 2 0.065 ~ percent silicon 11.7 3 percent aluminum! (1)

where: 12. Inspection and Rejection

δ = density, g/cm3. 12.1 If the results of the test of the original specimen fail to
10.3 Electrical Steels (SI Units): meet the specifications for the properties desired, then two
10.3.1 For iron base alloys, the average relationship be- additional specimens shall be prepared from the same test lot
tween density and silicon content or silicon and aluminum and tested. If the test results of each of these two additional test
content, both in weight percent, is given by the equation: specimens meet the specifications, the test lot shall be ac-
δ 5 7865 2 65 ~ percent silicon11.7 3 percent aluminum! (2) cepted. When a report is required, the worst of the two passing
retest values shall be reported.
where:
δ = density, kg/m3. 13. Keywords
10.4 Other Materials—For other alloys, the measured den- 13.1 density; electrical steel; magnetic material; magnetic
sity or, if necessary, an estimated value, shall be used. Refer to test
Table 1 or to the appropriate ASTM specification for the
density to be used in magnetic testing.

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