Correct Grade for Cold Weather Forged Carbon Steel Fittings?

Good evening. Astm a 420-06 is currently an ACTIVE STANDARD: A420/A420M-06 Standard Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Low-Temperature Service; WPL6 is one of the grades listed therein. you can confirm the standard by typing in ASTM A420 in the search box on ASTM 's home page at www.astm.org. you can buy the standard from them too and get the breakdown on the designations.

milo

In addition to the information provided by Milo, the best low temperature steel forging performance is achieved by using alloys with no more carbon than necessary and making the finished part no harder than necessary. The steel microstructure is important and the optimum structure is tempered martensite. The heat treat process should ideally be matched to the actual steel chemistry (including trace or unspecified elements). Avoid stress risers and surface decarburization. These steps will maximize strength and toughness, regardless of temperature.

I spoke with a representative of the manufacturer of the forged a105n fittings we also use, and he told me the fittings were manufactured from "LF2". any idea what this means.

Chris

Not a clue but I suspect it is related to the raw material quality or condition. ASTM A105 is a specification for carbon steel forgings and the associated A675 and A696 references cover the quality of the carbon steel used to make the forgings. They might contain the answer. Otherwise, probably just save time and ask the manufacturer.

LF-2 liquid fluorine

This comment may be meaningful in some other context, but in my 33 years in steel I can tell you that it has absolutely nothing to do with this cold temperature forging application.

milo