4.1 The extensive porosity present in pressed and sintered ferrous materials masks the effect of inclusions on mechanical properties. In contrast, the properties of material powder forged to near full density are strongly influenced by the composition, size, size distribution, and location of nonmetallic inclusions.

4.2 The test for nonmetallic inclusions in powder forged steels is useful as the following:

4.2.1 Characteristic to classify or differentiate one grade of powder from another.

4.2.2 Means of quality comparison of powders intended for powder forging, lot to lot.

4.3 Significant variations in nonmetallic inclusion content will occur if:

4.3.1 The powder used to form the test specimen does not meet powder forging quality standards for nonmetallic inclusion content.

4.3.2 Processing of the powder forged test specimen has been carried out under conditions that do not permit oxide reduction or allow oxidation of the test specimen, or both.

1.1 This test method covers a metallographic method for determining the nonmetallic inclusion level of ferrous powders intended for powder forging (PF) applications.

1.2 The test method covers repress powder forged test specimens in which there has been minimal lateral material flow (< 1 %). The core region of the powder forged test specimen shall contain no porosity detectable at 100×.

1.3 This test method is not suitable for determining the nonmetallic inclusion level of powder forged test specimens that have been forged such that the core region contains porosity. At the magnification used for this test method, residual porosity is hard to distinguish from oxide inclusions. Too much residual porosity makes a meaningful assessment of the inclusion population impossible.

1.4 The test method may be applied to materials that contain manganese sulfide (admixed or prealloyed), provided the near neighbor separation distance is changed from 30 μm to 15 μm.

Note 1: The test method may be applied to powder forged parts where there has been a greater amount of material flow provided:

The near neighbor separation distance is changed, or

The inclusion sizes agreed between the parties are adjusted for the amount of material flow.

1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.