ASTM B955/B955M-18 PDF

Full title and description

St ASTM B955/B955M-18 — Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Centrifugal Castings. Specification that establishes chemical composition limits, mechanical property requirements, sampling and testing practices, marking and packaging provisions, and units (inch‑pound and SI) for aluminum alloys produced by centrifugal casting for general-purpose applications (non‑aerospace).

Abstract

This specification covers aluminum‑alloy centrifugal castings used in general‑purpose applications. It defines alloy designations and composition limits, acceptance requirements for tensile properties (tensile strength, yield strength, elongation), sampling and analysis procedures, replacement/retest provisions, marking and packing practices, and the use of inch‑pound or SI units. It is not intended to address specialized requirements for highly loaded or safety‑critical aerospace applications.

General information

• Status: Superseded — original 2018 edition replaced by ASTM B955/B955M-25 (published October 1, 2025).
• Publication date: 2018-05-15 (approved May 15, 2018).
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee B07 on Light Metals and Alloys).
• ICS / categories: 77.150.10 (Aluminium products).
• Edition / version: B955/B955M-18 (2018 edition).
• Number of pages: 11.

Scope

The standard applies to aluminum‑alloy centrifugal castings identified by the alloy designations given in its tables and annexes. It requires chemical composition verification (by analysis of pour samples, castings, or test specimens), specifies mechanical property requirements for test specimens cut from castings, and provides provisions for replacement tests and retests when initial tension specimens do not meet requirements. The standard explicitly excludes aluminum‑alloy centrifugal castings intended for aerospace applications and notes that SI and inch‑pound units are independently standard (values in one system are not exact equivalents of the other).

Key topics and requirements

• Chemical composition limits for registered aluminum alloys commonly used in centrifugal casting (composition table and “Others” element rules).
• Mechanical property requirements: tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation criteria for specimens taken from castings.
• Sampling, analysis and testing procedures for composition and mechanical verification; rounding and conformance rules (Practice E29 rounding guidance).
• Replacement test and retest procedures for nonconforming tension specimens.
• Alloy and temper designation references per ANSI H35.1 / H35.1(M) and cross‑reference guidance to the Aluminum Association “Pink Sheets.”
• Product marking and packing/packaging provisions (identification marking practice and commercial packing guidance).
• Dual‑unit system handling (inch‑pound and SI units treated independently; do not combine values from both systems).
• Annex material for acceptance criteria and inclusion of new alloys (Annex A1 and A2 in the standard).

Typical use and users

Used by foundries and centrifugal casting producers, metallurgists, quality and inspection engineers, OEMs and component designers specifying cast aluminum parts for pumps, valves, bearings, housings and other general‑purpose industrial components. Purchasers and procurement/specification writers consult the standard to define acceptance criteria and test methods for supplied centrifugal castings (excluding aerospace applications).

Related standards

Commonly referenced ASTM and related documents include: ASTM B557/B557M (tension testing), ASTM E29 (significant digits and rounding), ASTM E34 (chemical analysis test methods for aluminum), ASTM B917/B917M (heat treatment of aluminum‑alloy castings), ASTM B985 (sampling), ASTM B666/B666M (identification marking of aluminum and magnesium products), ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M) (alloy/temper designations), and the Aluminum Association “Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Pink Sheets)”.

Keywords

aluminum, centrifugal casting, aluminum alloy, composition limits, tensile properties, alloy designation, casting specification, marking, packaging, ASTM B955

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B955/B955M-18 is the 2018 edition of the Standard Specification for Aluminum‑Alloy Centrifugal Castings, establishing chemical and mechanical acceptance criteria and related provisions for general‑purpose centrifugal castings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers alloy composition limits, sampling and testing for chemical analysis, tensile property requirements for specimens from castings, replacement/retest rules, marking and packing, and the use of inch‑pound and SI units for centrifugal cast aluminum alloys (excluding aerospace applications).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Foundries, material engineers, quality/inspection teams, OEMs and spec writers for industrial components requiring aluminum centrifugal castings use this standard to define material acceptance and testing protocols.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The B955/B955M-18 edition (approved May 15, 2018) has been superseded. The current revision is ASTM B955/B955M-25 (published October 1, 2025). Users should refer to the latest edition (B955/B955M-25) for up‑to‑date requirements and any editorial or technical changes introduced since 2018.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. B955/B955M is one of several ASTM specifications covering aluminum‑alloy castings formed by different processes (see related standards such as B26/B26M for sand castings, B108/B108M for permanent mold, B618/B618M for investment castings, and others). It is maintained by ASTM Committee B07 (Light Metals and Alloys).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: aluminum, centrifugal casting, alloy composition, tensile properties, ASTM B955, casting specification, alloy designation, non‑aerospace castings.