ASTM A278 Properties⚙️ (Chem., Mech. & Rankings) rev. 2022

In this post I'll talk about and give details about ASTM A278. First let's describe it and then have a look at its material's properties.

What is ASTM A278?

ASTM A278 is a Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Pressure Containing Parts for Temperatures up to 650°F (350°C).

Category

Wrought Iron, Cast Iron, and Malleable Iron

Scope

This specification covers gray iron for castings suitable for pressure-containing parts for use at temperatures up to 650°F (350°C).

Ok let's start with ASTM A278 chemical composition.

Chemical Composition

Class 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60

Maximum carbon equivalent of 3.8 % as calculated from the equation CE = %C + 0.3 (%Si + %P). The maximum phosphorus and sulfur contents shall be 0.25 % and 0.12 %, respectively.

Learn more about chemical composition.

Now it's the mechanical properties turn:

Yield Strength

Class 30

30 ksi min

Learn more about what is yield strength.

Tensile Strength

Class 300

300 MPa min

Learn more about what is tensile strength.

Allowable Stress

Depends on the project (And its factor of safety).

Learn more about the what is allowable stress.

My Material's Rank

While engineers will often look for the cheapest material they can use, I took a different approach to material's selection to help newbie students.

I ranked materials according to their yield strengths and ASTM A278 currently ranks 113 in my yield strength index. This means there are other 112 materials that are more resistant.

Note: I've analysed 134 materials in order to create an yield strength index. Check my astm material's comparison post for more details.

Details and PDF

Instructions:

1. Go to this page.
2. Type the name of the standard you are looking for in the search box. Tip: Don't forget to include "ASTM" as a keyword.
3. Read the details about the standard or download the PDF.

ASTM Classroom

Are you having trouble understanding the basics of ASTM?

What is the difference between Code, Standard & Specification?

This video will walk you through:

References

Citation

When you need to include a fact or piece of information in an assignment or essay you should also include where and how you found that piece of information.

That gives credibility to your paper and it is sometimes required in higher education.

To make your life (and citation) easier just copy & paste the information below into your assignment or essay:

Luz, Gelson. ASTM A278 Properties (Chem., Mech. & Rankings). Materials Blog. Gelsonluz.com. dd mmmm. yyyy. <URL>

Now replace dd, mmmm and yyyy with the day, month, and year you browsed this page. Also replace URL for the actual url of this page (The < and > stay, ok?). This citation format is based on MLA.

Other References

A644 Terminology Relating to Iron Castings⁣
E8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials⁣