1.1 This specification covers untreated and heat-treated carbon and alloy steel forgings for general industrial use. Other ASTM specifications for forgings are available for specific applications such as pressure vessels, railroad use, turbine generators, gearing, and others involving special temperature requirements.

1.2 Hot-rolled or cold finished bars are not within the scope of this specification.

1.3 Six classes of carbon steel and seven classes of alloy steel forgings are listed (see Section 7) , which indicates their required heat treatments, as well as mechanical properties.

1.4 Supplementary requirements of an optional nature are provided. These shall apply only when specified by the purchaser.

1.5 Appendix X1 lists the grades corresponding to the various grades of Specifications A 235, A 237, and A 243, which have been superseded by this specification.

1.6 The values stated in either 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 exactly equivalent; therefore; each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.