This specification covers the standard for cold-finished wire and hot-finished free-machining stainless steel wire and wire rods in coils. Chemical analysis shall be performed on the steel and shall conform to the chemical composition requirements in carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, nickel and other trace elements. The stainless steel shall undergo mechanical testing and conform to the tensile strength requirement.

1.1 This specification covers cold-finished wire and hot-finished wire rods in coils. Wire rods are a semi-finished product primarily for the manufacture of wire. Wire includes rounds, squares, hexagons, and special shapes in the more commonly used types of stainless free-machining steels designed especially for optimum machinability and for general corrosion and high-temperature service.

Note 1—For wire other than those of the free-machining types, see Specification A 580/A 580M.

1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI (metric) units are to be regarded separately as standards; 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 the applicable "M" specification designation, the material shall be furnished to the inch-pound units.