ASTM A838/A838M-97

1.1 This specification covers free-machining ferritic stainless soft magnetic materials produced or supplied expressly for use in magnetic cores and other parts requiring a high permeability stainless steel having low-coercive force and low-residual magnetism.

1.1.1 The specific alloy types have corrosion resistance similar to AISI Type 430F and Type 430F Specification A582.

1.1.2 Two specific type alloys are covered in Table 1.

1.2 This specification covers these alloy types supplied in billet or bar form in shapes such as rounds, squares, hexagons, octagons, or special shapes.

1.3 Certain cold finish round bar products are capable of being supplied to required magnetic characteristics such as low-residual magnetism. Other product forms of these alloy types can not be produced having equivalent low-residual magnetism; hence, final machined parts shall be heat treated as recommended by the producer.

1.4 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the test method portions in Annex A1 of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 Magnetic properties are expressed in cgs-emu units followed by the SI unit equivalent enclosed in parentheses.