ASTM A 959 : 2003

1.1 This standard provides a guide to ASTM Subcommittees A01.06, A01.10, A01.17, A01.22, and A01.28 for specifying chemical composition limits of wrought stainless steels. It is intended that these recommended grade composition limits be suitable for adoption by other standardization bodies that prepare standards for stainless steel products.

1.2 Included in this guide are the recommendations for determining the number of significant figures for specifying chemical composition from Test Methods, Practices and Terminology A 751.

1.3 All stainless steel UNS numbers and the stainless steel grades in all standards overseen by the aforementioned ASTM subcommittees have been included, except those grades applicable to restricted special end uses and alloys containing less than 10.5 % minimum chromium.

1.4 Not addressed are minor composition modifications which a specific product subcommittee may find necessary to accommodate effects of normal processing or to enhance fabricability by the producer or user, or both.

1.5 Also not generally addressed (except when established by ASTM product subcommittees) is a complete rationalization of all limits, especially when such would conflict with long-standing practices and is not justified by special technical effect.

1.6 Excluded from this guide are cast material and welding filler metal.