Designation: A 997 – 98 (Reapproved 2003)

Standard Practice for

Investment Castings, Surface Acceptance Standards, Visual
Examination1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 997; 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 3.1.5 Additional acceptance criteria as applicable to all or

1.1 This practice covers the acceptance criteria for surface portions of the casting surface.
inspection of investment castings by visual examination. 4. Acceptance Criteria
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. 4.1 Levels of acceptance for visual inspection are listed in
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the Table 1.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- TABLE 1 Visual Inspection Acceptance CriteriaA,B
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Surface Feature Level II Level III Level IV
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Surface PitsC,D,E 0.030 in. (0.76 0.060 in. (1.52 0.060 in. (1.52
mm) diameter by mm) diameter by mm) diameter by
2. Terminology 0.015 in. (0.38 0.030 in. (0.76 0.030 in. (0.76
mm) deep with no mm) deep with no mm) deep with no
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: more than 1 per more than 1 per more than 4 per
2.1.1 linear discontinuity, n—a discontinuity whose length in.2 (645 mm2) in.2 (645 mm2) in.2 (6445 mm2)
is equal to or greater than three times its width. Cracks and cold
Positive MetalD,E 0.060 in. (1.52 0.125 in. (3.18 0.125 in. (3.18
shuts are examples of linear discontinuity. mm) diameter by mm) diameter by mm) diameter by
2.1.2 positive metal, n—raised metal on the casting surface 0.015 in. (0.38 0.030 in. (0.76 0.030 in. (0.76
usually associated with the breakdown of the mold and its mm) high with no mm) high with no mm) high with no
more than 1 per more than 1 per more than 4 per
replacement with the casting metal. in.2 (645 mm2) in.2 (645 mm2) in.2 (645 mm2)
2.1.3 surface pit, n—a non linear depression in the cast
surface whose length is less than three times its width. Surface Parting Line and 0.005 in. 0.010 in. 0.020 in.
Ejector Pin Marks (0.13 mm) (0.25 mm) (0.51 mm)
pits may be the result of gas or non metallic inclusions. Height
2.1.4 surface roughness, n—a measure of surface texture
usually determined by the use of a comparator. Gate HeightF 0.015 in. 0.030 in. 0.45 in.
(0.38 mm) (0.76 mm) (1.14 mm)
3. Ordering Information Surface 100 µin. (2.5 µm) 125 µin. (3.2 µm) 200 µin. (5.0 µm)
3.1 The inquiry or order should specify the following RoughnessE
A
information: B
Features in excess of those specified in the table are not acceptable.
Level I criteria may be established in the future depending on need.
3.1.1 Acceptance Level—More than one acceptance level C
Maximum surface pit depth shall not violate drawing minimum wall thickness.
may be specified for different surfaces of the same casting (see D
Surface pits or positive metal less than 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) diameter and less
Section 4), than 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) deep or high shall be considered non-relevant.
E
Determined by comparator or tactile source.
3.1.2 If any types of discontinuities are unacceptable, F
Machined and non-machined surfaces
3.1.3 Casting surfaces to be examined,
3.1.4 Number of castings to be examined, and
4.2 Parts shall not exhibit any linear discontinuities.
4.3 Surface roughness and surface pits that will be removed
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, by machining are considered acceptable.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.4 Surface discontinuities not covered in this practice shall
A01.18 on Castings.
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published April 2003. Originally be a matter of agreement between the purchaser and the
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as A 997 – 98. manufacturer.

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1
 A 997 – 98 (2003)
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