1.1 This specification covers general requirements that shall apply to stainless wire and wire rods. Wire rods are a semifinished product intended primarily for the manufacture of wire. Wire is intended primarily for cold forming, including coiling, stranding, weaving, heading and machining as covered under the latest revision of each of the following ASTM specifications: A313/A313M, A368, A478, A492, A493, A580/A580M and A581/A581M.

1.2 In case of conflicting requirements, the individual material specification and this general requirement specification shall prevail in the order named.

1.3 General requirements for flat products other than wire are covered in Specification A480/A480M.

1.4 General requirements for bar and billet products are covered in Specification A484/A484M.

1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units or SI (metric) units are to be regarded separately as 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 independent of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.

1.6 Unless the order specifies the applicable metric specification designation, the material shall be furnished in the inch-pound units.