ASTM A1086 Standard Specifications for Completely Processed Types of Nonoriented, Thin-Gauge Electrical Steel
What is ASTM A1086?
ASTM A1086 is a standard specification that sets requirements for fully processed, flat-rolled, thin-gauge, nonoriented electrical steel. It applies to low-carbon silicon-iron and silicon-aluminum-iron alloys with silicon content of 2.5% to 3.5% and a small amount of aluminum. It sets the requirements for thin electrical steel, including core loss, dimensional, surface insulation, and magnetic and mechanical characteristics. ASTM A1086 (Standard Specification for Thin-Gauge Nonoriented Electrical Steel, Fully Processed Types) is applicable to nominal thicknesses of 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm. These steels are mainly used in moderate- to high-frequency electromagnetic devices and rotating electrical machinery.
Get Certified ASTM A1086 Testing for Reliable Electrical Steel Performance
ASTM A1086 testing allows technicians to ensure that the magnetic, dimensional, and surface properties of thin-gauge nonoriented electrical steel meet the required specifications. Thus, the results can be used for material qualification, manufacturing quality control, purchasing specifications, and the assessment of electrical steel in electromagnetic devices.
What is the Scope of the ASTM A1086 Test Standard?
This ASTM standard is applicable to flat-rolled thin-gauge, fully processed electrical steel of nominal thickness from 0.10 to 0.30 mm (0.004 to 0.012 in.). The specification provides for classification of loss of cores, demands magnetic properties, tolerances, surface insulation, and the applicable inspection and testing procedures. The scope of ASTM A1086 includes:
Thickness range: Nominal thicknesses from 0.10 to 0.30 mm (0.004 to 0.012 in.).
Steel chemistry: low-carbon silicon-iron or silicon-aluminum-iron alloys typically containing 2.5% to 3.5% silicon and a small amount of aluminum.
Core-loss classification: Grades are identified by specified maximum core-loss values at a magnetic flux density of 1.0 T.
Magnetic properties: Requirements address specific core loss, permeability, and useful magnetic flux-density characteristics.
Surface characteristics: The specification addresses surface finish and insulating coating characteristics suitable for electrical-steel applications.
Dimensional control: Requirements cover thickness, thickness variation, taper, width, length, and related flat-rolled product dimensions.
Testing and reporting: Applicable ASTM test methods are used to verify magnetic, dimensional, surface, and other specified properties.
What are the Uses of ASTM A1086 Testing?
ASTM A1086 specifies requirements for thin-gauge nonoriented electrical steel for applications where magnetic properties must be controlled. The specification is therefore useful in the selection and assessment of materials for electromagnetic equipment. The ASTM A1086 standard-
Sets the specifications for non-oriented electrical steel of thin gauge.
Sort materials based on the highest specific core loss.
Supports assessment of rotating machine electrical steel.
Assists in choosing materials for devices that operate at high frequencies.
Assists in magnetic product verification at manufacturing and acceptance.
Adjusts thickness, width, length, taper, and other dimensioning characteristics.
Enables analysis of surface insulation and lamination performance.
Provides a basis for purchasing, quality control, and material certification.
Which materials can be tested under ASTM A1086?
ASTM A1086 is for flat-rolled very thin (0.10 to 0.30 mm (0.004 to 0.012 in.)) fully processed nonoriented electrical steels. The materials are typically low-carbon silicon-iron-silicon-aluminum-iron alloys that contain some 2.5% to 3.5% silicon and a minor amount of aluminum. Steels with silicon vapor deposition or similar processes that produce high-silicon silicon electrical steels are not included in this specification.
Why is ASTM A1086 Important?
ASTM A1086 is important because electrical-steel magnetic losses directly influence the efficiency and operating performance of electromagnetic equipment. Furthermore, controlled thickness, core loss, permeability, surface insulation, and dimensional features enable manufacturers to make consistent laminations for the manufacture of motors, generators, and other electromagnetic devices.
ASTM A1086 Equipment and Sample Preparation Guide
ASTM A1086 testing requires magnetic-property equipment, dimensional measurement instruments, and suitable equipment for evaluating surface and mechanical characteristics. Technicians prepare representative strips from the supplied steel and use applicable ASTM procedures for magnetic-property measurements and other specification checks.
Related ASTM standards include ASTM A664 for identification of standard electrical steel grades and ASTM A719 for lamination-factor measurement. ASTM A717 also provides a method for evaluating the surface-insulation resistivity of single-strip specimens.
Sample and Specimen Details
Flat-rolled electrical-steel strips are sampled from the supplied sheet or coil to represent the material and its rolling direction.
Specimen Preparation
Technicians cut representative strips with sharp shears or dies, minimize burrs and distortion, and prepare specimens in accordance with the applicable ASTM sampling and magnetic-testing procedures.
Specimen Dimensions
Epstein specimens are typically 30.0 mm wide and not less than 280 mm long. It may be possible to use a length of about 305 mm for ease of fitting in the test frame. The specimen set includes multiples of 4 s, with a minimum of 12 strips for standard Epstein testing.
Instrumentation
Equipment consists of a 25-cm Epstein frame, a magnetic measuring system, a wattmeter, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a precision micrometer, dimension gauges, and appropriate tools for measuring surface insulation and other properties.
Testing Procedures and Requirements for ASTM A1086
The magnetic and dimensional properties need to satisfy the requirements for the ordered electrical-steel grade in accordance with ASTM A1086. Thus, core loss and other magnetic property measurements are determined by appropriate ASTM methods, and thickness, width, length, taper, surface characteristics, and other required specifications are verified. The procedure outlined in ASTM A1086 is as follows-
Technicians take representative material from the sheet or coil supplied, following relevant ASTM sampling practices, and cut strips to represent the rolling direction(s).
Magnetic Specimen Preparation
The operators prepare Epstein strips of the desired width and length, place the strips in the test frame, and set up the desired magnetic circuit.
Core-Loss Testing
Specific core loss is determined at the specified magnetic flux density and test frequencies, using the magnetic property procedure listed below. The grades defined by ASTM A1086 are based on the maximum core loss at 1.0 T and 400 Hz and 1000 Hz.
Magnetic Property Evaluation
Analysts evaluate permeability and, where required, magnetic flux-density characteristics using the applicable ASTM magnetic test methods.
Dimensional Inspection
Technicians measure thickness, thickness variation, taper, width, length, camber, and any other applicable dimensional characteristics against specification tolerances.
Result Reporting
Analysts compare measured properties with the ordered core-loss type and applicable ASTM A1086 requirements, then document the results for material acceptance and certification.
ASTM A1086 Testing Process and Data Collection
Steel samples are made from ASTM A1086 testing specimens and tested to determine magnetic and dimensional characteristics under controlled conditions. Meanwhile, testing equipment is used to record the magnetic parameters,eters and dimensional instruments are used for measuring thickness, width, length, taper, and other product parameters.
ASTM A1086 evaluation of thin-gauge nonoriented electrical steel using magnetic-property and dimensional inspection equipment.
Common Challenges and Troubleshooting
Some of the more common problems encountered with ASTM A1086 include specimen orientation, too much burr, incorrect thickness measurement, poor Epstein-frame assembly, and inconsistent magnetic test conditions. Thus, the technician is required to take care in setting up the representative strips, controlling the dimensions of the specimens, checking the calibration of the instrument, and ensuring the correct magnetic test configuration.
ASTM A1086 Analysis Results and Interpretation
The analysis in ASTM A1086 is used to verify whether the electrical steel supplied meets the requirements for core-loss classification and the material requirements of the electrical steel. Therefore, the measured magnetic properties and dimensions are compared with the applicable grade requirements prior to acceptance of the material.
Specific core loss is measured in W/kg and is determined at 1.0 T at the given test frequencies.
Core loss is included between 10T590 (for 0.10 mm material) and 30T820 (for 0.30 mm material), and maximum core-loss limits are specified for the grade.
The permeability should be as high as possible and consistent with the core-loss requirements that apply to the grade chosen.
Thickness is compared to the specified tolerances, depending on the nominal thickness and the core-loss type.
The magnetic, dimensional, and surface-property results are used by engineers to assess material conformity and suitability for electromagnetic applications.
The significance of ASTM A1086 is that it provides requirements for thin-gauge nonoriented electrical steel for use in rotating electrical machinery and other electromagnetic devices.
What is ASTM A1086 used for?
Thin-gauge nonoriented fully processed electrical steel is specified and evaluated by ASTM A1086 according to magnetic, dimensional, surface, and related material requirements.
What is measured during ASTM A1086 testing?
The ASTM A1086 test measures properties such as specific core loss, permeability, magnetic flux density, thickness, dimensional properties, surface insulation properties,rties and other material properties as specified.
Davis Scott is an Electrical and Electronics Engineer specializing in multidisciplinary validation, quality assurance, and comprehensive electro-mechanical testing.
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