ASTM B36 Standard Protocol for Brass Plates, Sheets, Strips and Rolled Bars

Get Certified ASTM B36 Testing for Reliable Brass Material Evaluation

ASTM B36 testing is a common way of testing brass plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar in order to meet material requirements. Chemical composition, tensile strength, Rockwell hardness, grain size, dimensions, and workmanship are taken into consideration, if applicable. Therefore, the engineer can determine if the brass products are appropriate for the alloy and temper required for the application. The results can support material qualification, quality control, purchasing verification, and product acceptance.

• Material type: Brass plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar made from specified copper-zinc alloys.
• Alloy grades: UNS C21000, C22000, C22600, C23000, C24000, C26000, C26800, C27200, and C28000 are covered.
• Chemical composition: Copper, zinc, and applicable constituent requirements are controlled for each specified alloy.
• Temper: As-hot-rolled, rolled, annealed, and annealed-to-temper conditions are addressed.
• Mechanical properties: Tensile strength requirements apply according to the specified alloy, product form, and temper.
• Hardness: Rockwell hardness provides supporting information for general conformity with temper, tensile strength, and grain-size requirements.
• Grain size: Grain-size requirements apply to materials supplied in applicable conditions.
• Product dimensions: Thickness, width, length, and applicable dimensional characteristics are controlled.
• Workmanship: Surface and manufacturing conditions are evaluated against the applicable product requirements.
• Testing conditions: Representative material samples are evaluated according to the requirements applicable to the supplied product.
• Units: Inch-pound and SI values are treated separately as standard values and should not be combined.

What are the Uses of ASTM B36 Testing?

ASTM B36 testing is performed to help determine if brass products have the required metallurgical, chemical, mechanical, dimensional, and workmanship requirements. Therefore, the results can guide engineers in understanding the quality of materials and ensuring their suitability for the target applications. This ASTM B36 standard:

• Determines conformity of specified copper-zinc brass alloys.
• Compares the tensile strength based on the condition of the product.
• Allows Rockwell hardness measurement.
• Carries out grain-size assessment, if applicable.
• Verifies the thickness of the product and other measurements as detailed.
• Assesses the condition and workmanship of brass products.
• Helps maintain quality in manufacturing.
• Checks material supplied with regard to purchasing specifications.
• Supplies data to help qualify material and accept products.
• Aids in engineering and manufacturing decisions of brass products.

Which materials can be tested under ASTM B36?

ASTM B36 applies to brass plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar manufactured from UNS C21000, C22000, C22600, C23000, C24000, C26000, C26800, C27200, and C28000 copper-zinc alloys. Usually, plates are supplied hot-rolled, but the specification also covers rolled, annealed, and annealed-to-temper plates. So, technicians choose the requirements appropriate for the alloy, product form, temper, and ordered dimensions.

Why is ASTM B36 Important?

ASTM B36 is significant because brass properties can vary by composition, temper, strength, structure, and dimensions. The specification describes these characteristics and sets controlled requirements to evaluate them and ensure product conformity. Therefore, engineers can use ASTM B36 results for material selection, manufacturing control, purchasing verification, and product acceptance. Accurate results, however, require representative sampling, proper sample preparation, proper testing conditions, and correct measurements.

ASTM B36 is similar to ASTM E238, which gauges the performance of various components of metallic devices having sliding or rolling functions.

ASTM B36 Testing Process and Data Collection

ASTM B36 testing begins with the determination of the alloy, product form, temper, dimensions, and specified requirements. The technician then takes representative material and creates specimens for the required evaluations. Chemical composition, tensile strength, hardness, grain size, dimensions, and workmanship are evaluated as appropriate. The characteristics that are tested and the observations made are captured in the testing system throughout the testing process. The data produced from this enables engineers to establish conformance to any ASTM B36 requirements that may apply to the brass product.

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

There are many factors that must be carefully controlled in order to obtain accurate ASTM B36 results, including sampling, specimen preparation, material identification, testing, and dimensional measurements. When products vary in size, shape, alloy, and temper, it can be difficult to maintain representative sampling. Surface damage, improper specimen preparation, incorrect measurements, and failure to identify the correct material can also affect the evaluation. As such, technicians should ensure they know the designation of the material being tested, leave the specimen condition unchanged, ensure equipment is calibrated, and adhere to the appropriate ASTM B36 requirements during testing.

• The laboratory records the chemical composition of the brass material in mass percent and compares the applicable constituent values with the specified alloy limits.
• Analysts compare the tensile strength results in both ksi and MPa with the applicable requirements listed for the selected alloy, product form, and temper.
• Where appropriate, the laboratory records the Rockwell hardness value, which is used as supporting data in general material conformity.
• Engineers assess grain-size data to determine whether the data meet the requirements for applicable material conditions and to compare the observed grain structure with the required grain structure.
• The dimensional, surface, edge, straightness, and workmanship observations are compared with the pertinent requirements to establish product conformance.

Link to ASTM B36