This specification covers the standard requirements for wrought low-carbon iron having a carbon content of 0.015% or less with the remainder of the analysis being substantially iron. These alloys are not electrical steels such as are described in Specifications A 726 and A 840 but are instead primarily used in dc magnetic applications and are produced in a wide variety of mill forms such as forging billet and cold finished bar and wire as well as strip. Two alloy types are covered: Type 1 is a low-phosphorus grade and Type 2 contains a phosphorus addition to improve machinability. Apart from chemical requirements, alloy produced to this specification must exhibit guaranteed maximum values of coercive field strength when heat treated according to this specification. This specification has several useful appendices dealing with typical magnetic, physical and mechanical properties, heat treatment and magnetic aging.

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for wrought low-carbon iron having a carbon content of 0.015 % or less with the remainder of the analysis being substantially iron.

1.1.1 Two alloy types are covered: Type 1 is a low-phosphorous grade and Type 2 contains a phosphorous addition to improve machinability.

1.2 This specification also covers alloys supplied by a producer or converter in the form and condition suitable for fabrication into parts which will be subsequently heat treated to create the desired magnetic characteristics. It covers alloys supplied in the form of forging billets, hot-rolled products, and cold-finished bar, wire, and strip.

1.3 This specification does not cover iron powders capable of being processed into magnetic components.

1.4 This specification does not cover flat-rolled, low-carbon electrical steels.

1.5 The values stated in customary (cgs-emu and inch-pound) units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.