ASTM A 341/A341M : 2016

1.1This test method provides dc permeameter tests for the basic magnetic properties of soft magnetic materials in the form of bars, rods, wire, or strip specimens which may be cut, machined, or ground from cast, compacted, sintered, forged, extruded, rolled, or other fabricated materials. It includes tests for determination of the normal induction under symmetrically cyclically magnetized (SCM) conditions and the hysteresis loop (B-H loop) taken under conditions of rapidly changing or steep wavefront reversals of the direct current magnetic field strength. This method has been historically referred to as the ballistic test method. For testing hard or permanent magnet materials, Test Method A977/A977M shall be used.

1.2This test method shall be used in conjunction with Practice A34/A34M.

1.3This test method covers a range of magnetic field strength in the specimen from about 0.05 Oe [4 A/m] up to above 5000 Oe [400 kA/m] through the use of several permeameters. The separate permeameters cover this test region in several overlapping ranges.

1.4Normal induction and hysteresis properties may be determined over the magnetic flux density range from essentially zero to the saturation induction for most materials.

1.5Recommendations of the useful magnetic field strength range for each of the permeameters are shown in Table 1.2 Permeameters particularly well suited for general testing of soft magnetic materials are shown in boldface. Also, see Sections 3 and 4 for general limitations relative to the use of permeameters.

1.6The symbols and abbreviated definitions used in this test method appear with Fig. 1 and in appropriate sections of this document. For the official definitions, see Terminology A340. Note that the term magnetic flux density used in this document is synonymous with the term magnetic induction.