This guide covers standard specification for austenitic and age-hardenable stainless steel round spring wire intended especially for the manufacture of springs. The steel shall conform to the required chemical composition for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, nitrogen, and other elements. The material shall conform to the required tensile strengths following the prescribed heat treatment. Tensile strength requirements for hardened wires and stress-relieved materials shall be given. Mechanical tests such as wrap test, uniformity (coil test), and bend test hall be performed on the steel material.

1.1 This specification covers austenitic and age-hardenable stainless steel round spring wire intended especially for the manufacture of springs.

1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. Within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.

1.3 Unless the order specifies an "M" designation, the material shall be furnished to inch-pound units.