Designation: A 469 – 94a (Reapproved 1999) An American National Standard

Standard Specification for

Vacuum-Treated Steel Forgings for Generator Rotors1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 469; 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 4. Materials and Manufacture

1.1 This specification covers vacuum-treated basic electric 4.1 The vacuum degassing requirements of Specification
steel forgings for generator rotors. A 788 are mandatory. In addition to these requirements,
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded hydrogen testing per Supplementary Requirement S4 is man-
as the standard. datory.
4.1.1 When the ladle degassing process is used, the evacu-
2. Referenced Documents ation system shall be capable of reducing the system vacuum
2.1 ASTM Standards: pressure to a low level (usually less then 1000 µm). The molten
A 275/A 275M Test Method for Magnetic Particle Exami- metal shall be adequately stirred for a sufficient length of time
nation of Steel Forgings2 to maximize exposure to the evacuated atmosphere. When this
A 341 Test Method for Direct-Current Magnetic Properties process is used, hydrogen testing per Supplementary Require-
of Materials Using D-C Permeameters and the Ballistic ment S4 is mandatory.
Test Methods3 4.1.2 Other methods of degassing may be used if the
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing supplier can demonstrate their adequacy to the satisfaction of
of Steel Products4 the purchaser. When other processes are used, hydrogen testing
A 418 Test Method for Ultrasonic Examination of Turbine per Supplementary Requirement S4 is mandatory.
and Generator Steel Rotor Forgings2 4.2 Heat Treatment:
A 773 Test Method for D-C Magnetic Properties of Mate- 4.2.1 If possible, forgings should be heat treated in the
rials Using Ring and Permeameter Procedures with D-C vertical position. Supplementary Requirement S3 makes this
Electronic Hysteresigraphs3 mandatory, if activated in the ordering information.
A 788 Specification for Steel Forgings, General Require- 4.2.2 The heat treatment for mechanical properties shall
ments2 consist of quenching and tempering, but normalizing and
tempering is permissible with prior purchaser approval. Also,
3. Ordering Information and General Requirements with prior purchaser approval, the post rough machining stress
3.1 In addition to the ordering information required by relief in 4.2.3 may be omitted when double tempering is used,
Specification A 788, the purchaser shall include with the instead of a single temper, to complete this heat treatment
inquiry and order, a dimensioned drawing showing the me- cycle.
chanical test specimen locations, and details of magnetic 4.2.3 After heat treatment and the subsequent rough ma-
permeability tests, if required. chining, the forging shall be stress relieved at a minimum
3.2 Material supplied to this specification shall conform to temperature of 1050°F (566°C), unless otherwise specified by
the requirements of Specification A 788, which outlines addi- the purchaser.
tional ordering information, manufacturing requirements, test- 4.3 Machining:
ing and retesting methods and procedures, marking, certifica- 4.3.1 Boring—The manufacturer may bore the forging at
tion, production analysis variations, and additional any time prior to stress-relief anneal. (See Supplementary
supplementary requirements. Requirement S1).
3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
with the requirements of Specification A 788, the requirements 5. Chemical Composition
of this specification shall prevail. 5.1 Heat Analysis—The heat analysis obtained from sam-
pling in accordance with Specification A 788 shall comply with
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel, Table 1.
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 5.2 Product Analysis—The manufacturer shall use the prod-
A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. uct analysis provision of Specification A 788 to obtain a
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1994. Published October 1994. Originally
published as A 469 – 62 T. Last previous edition A 469 – 94. product analysis from a forging representing each heat or
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. multiple heat.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.04.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.

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

1
 A 469
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements

Element Composition, %
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6, 7, 8
Carbon, max 0.45 0.25 0.27 0.27 0.31 0.28
Manganese, max 0.90 0.60 0.60 0.70 0.70 0.60
Phosphorus, max 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015
Sulfur, max 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015
SiliconA 0.15 to 0.35 0.15 to 0.30 0.15 to 0.30 0.15 to 0.30 0.15 to 0.30 0.15 to 0.30
Nickel ... 2.50 min 2.50 min 3.00 min 3.00 min 3.25 to 4.00
Chromium ... 0.50 max 0.50 max 0.50 max 0.50 max 1.25 to 2.00
Molybdenum ... 0.20 to 0.50 0.20 to 0.50 0.20 to 0.60 0.20 to 0.70 0.30 to 0.60
Vanadium 0.03 to 0.12B 0.03 min 0.03 min 0.03 min 0.05 to 0.15 0.05 to 0.15
AntimonyC ... ... ... ... ... ...
A
Optional: Classes 2 to 8 steel may be vacuum deoxidized, silicon 0.10 max.
B
Vanadium addition optional for Class 1.
C
Information on Classes 6, 7, and 8.

6. Magnetic Properties the forging. The notch shall be located as far below the heat
6.1 When specified in the ordering information, a perme- treated surface of the forging as possible without exceeding the
ability test shall be performed in accordance with the latest dimensions specified for the test material. The notch-toughness
issue of Test Method A 341 or Test Method A 773. specimens shall conform to the Charpy V-notch specimen
configuration, as shown in the latest issue of Test Methods and
7. Mechanical Properties Definitions A 370.
7.1 Tension Test:
7.1.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements of Table 2. 8. Nondestructive Test Requirements
7.1.2 The number of locations of tension test specimens 8.1 General Requirements:
shall be as specified on the forging drawings furnished by the 8.1.1 The forgings shall be free of cracks, seams, laps,
purchaser. shrinkage, and other injurious imperfections.
7.1.3 Tests for acceptance shall be made after heat treatment 8.1.2 The purchaser may request such tests and inspection
of the forging for mechanical properties. The purchaser may methods including ultrasonic, magnetic particle, or etch tests,
require check tests after completion of all heating cycles as are necessary to ensure compliance with this requirement.
including stress relieving in accordance with 4.2.3. 8.2 Ultrasonic Inspection:
7.1.4 Testing shall be performed in accordance with the 8.2.1 An ultrasonic inspection shall be made at the forging
latest issue of Test Methods and Definitions A 370. Tension manufacturer’s plant on the machined forgings. In making the
specimens shall be the standard 0.5 in. (13.7 mm) round by ultrasonic inspection, reference shall be made to the latest issue
2-in. (50.8-mm) gage length, as shown in Test Methods and of Test Method A 418.
Definitions A 370. 8.2.2 Forgings having recordable ultrasonic indications
7.1.5 The yield strength prescribed in Table 2 shall be shall be referred to the purchaser and evaluated on the basis of
determined by the offset method in Test Methods and Defini- nature, frequency, and locations of indications both traveling
tions A 370. and stationary. If the ultrasonic indications are considered
7.2 Impact Test: objectionable, it shall be determined by conventional or mutu-
7.2.1 The material shall conform to the requirements for ally acceptable inspection procedures whether the forging will
notch toughness (both transition temperature and room tem- be rejected.
perature impact value) prescribed in Table 2. 8.2.3 Forgings shall be ultrasonically tested prior to removal
7.2.2 Charpy V-notch specimens from surface radial test of the mid-body radial tension coupons.
locations shall be oriented with the root of the notch perpen- 8.3 Internal Inspection—Boring, when specified for peri-
dicular to a radial line of the forging and parallel to the axis of scopic inspection, shall be as shown on the drawings furnished

TABLE 2 Tensile and Notch Toughness Requirements

Class
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Tensile strength, min, ksi 75 80 90 100 110 100 110 120
MPa 515 550 620 690 760 690 760 825
Yield strength,A min, ksi 35 55 70 80 90 80 90 100
MPa 240 380 485 550 620 550 620 690
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm, min, % 20 20 20 17 15 18 17 16
Reduction of area, min, % 30 50 50 45 40 55 50 45
FATT50, max, F 175 100 100 120 175 0 20 40
FATT50, max, C 80 38 38 49 80 −18 −7 4
Room temperature impact strength, 10 30 30 25 15 60 50 40
min, ft·lbf(J) (13) (41) (41) (34) (20) (81) (68) (54)
A
Yield strength at 0.02 % offset. Yield strength may also be specified at 0.2 % offset in which case 5000 psi (35 MPa) shall be added to these values.

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 A 469
by the purchaser. The drawings shall specify the nominal ments S1, the remaining portions of the bore core shall be
dimensions of the hole. Magnetic particle examination of the replaced in the bore during retreatment.
bore surface shall be performed in accordance with the latest
issue of Test Method A 275/A 275M. In cases where objec- 10. Certification and Reports
tionable conditions are revealed, the manufacturer shall advise 10.1 In addition to the requirements of Specification A 788,
the purchaser and any further action shall be taken only after the product analysis results shall be reported.
mutual agreement.
11. Packaging and Package Marking
9. Retreatment 11.1 In addition to the marking requirements of Specifica-
9.1 If the results of the mechanical tests of any forging do tion A 788, axial bores, if any, shall be protected and suitably
not conform to the requirements specified, the manufacturer plugged for shipment or storage.
may retreat the forging one or more times, but not more than
three additional times without approval of the purchaser, and 12. Keywords
retests shall be made in accordance with 7.1.2. 12.1 generator rotor materials; steel forgings; vacuum-
9.2 If boring is specified under Supplementary Require- treated steel

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the purchaser on the
order.

S1. Bore Core Tests able hydrogen limit as well as the stage in processing when
S1.1 The purchaser may require physical tests from the bar sampling, the sample preparation procedure and the method of
cored from the longitudinal bore of the forging. These core analysis shall be as agreed upon by manufacturer and pur-
tests will be for information only. chaser.
S1.2 Specimens for bore core tests shall be cored from the
forging after heat treatment for mechanical properties. S5. Magnetic Particle Examination

S2. Method of Forging S5.1 A magnetic particle examination of the complete

exterior and bore surfaces of the machined forging shall be
S2.1 The purchaser may specify that hot working be per-
made at the forging manufacturer’s plant. The examination
formed on a press.
shall be performed in accordance with the latest issue of Test
S3. Vertical Heat Treatment Method A 275/A 275M.
S3.1 Heat treatment for mechanical properties shall be S5.2 Forgings with either cracks or linear indications of any
performed with the forging in the vertical position. length are subject to rejection unless they can be removed to
the purchaser’s satisfaction.
S4. Hydrogen Determination
S4.1 A hydrogen determination shall be made. The accept-

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