Annexure – 7

Appendix-8
(Sheet 1 of 3 )

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STAINLESS STEEL BARS

1.0 SCOPE

This note establishes the technical requirements for manufacture and inspection of
Stainless Steel SS410, SS304 and SS304L round bars.

2.0 SIZE AND QUANTITY

The size and quantity of material procured shall be adequate to manufacture the
components, test coupons, witness pieces etc. as specified in the relevant technical
specification and drawings.

3.0 MATERIAL

All the materials offered by the supplier shall be new in annealed condition
(Condition A) and of tested quality. The material shall meet the requirements of
ASTM-A-276 specifications.

4.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING

Material shall be tested for chemical composition, mechanical properties including

hardness and shall be ultrasonically tested. Material shall of good quality and defect
free.

a) The bars shall meet the dimensional and straightness requirements of ASTM-A-
276.

b) A sample from bar shall be sectioned and macro-etch tested in accordance with
ASTM E 340 and ASTM E 381. When examined under 10X magnification
there must not be any line indication, segregation or cracks. Very fine porosity
at centre is permitted provided it does not interfere with achieving 0.8 microns
surface finish after finish machining.

c) The inclusion content shall also be checked as per IS: 4163-1998. The inclusion
rating shall not exceed the level of A2, B2, C1, D1 for thick series as per figure
5 of IS: 4163-1998. The reports conforming to the Technical Requirements shall
be submitted for approval.

d) The bar shall be wet fluorescent magnetic particle tested in accordance with
ASTM-E-709 and PP-E-1210.

Acceptance standards shall be as follows:

a) Only indications with major dimensions greater than 1.5 mm shall be

considered relevant.

b) The following relevant indications are unacceptable:

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Appendix-8
(Sheet 2 of 3 )

1. Any linear indication greater than 1.5 mm long for bars less than 15
mm diameter, greater than 3.1 mm long for bars from 15 mm diameter
to 50 mm diameter, and 4.7 mm long for bars 50 mm diameter and
greater.
2. Rounded indications with dimensions greater than 3.1 mm for bar
diameters less than 15 mm and greater than 4.7 mm for bar diameters
15 mm and greater.
3. Four or more indications in a line separated by 1.5 mm or less, edge to
edge.
4. Ten or more indications in any 3800 mm2 of area whose major
dimension is not more than 150 mm with the dimensions taken in the
most unfavorable location relative to the indications being evaluated.

c) Any indication in excess of the acceptance standard at para (b) above, which
is believed to be non relevant shall be regarded as a defect and shall be re-
examined to verify whether or not actual defects are present. Surface
conditioning may precede the re-examination. Non relevant indications and
broad areas of pigmentation, which would mask indications of defects, are
unacceptable.

d) All bars shall be demagnetised after magnetic particle examination. Residual

magnetism in the bars shall be less than 2 Gausses.

e) The detailed magnetic particle examination procedure to be followed by the

Supplier shall be submitted to the Purchaser for approval.

4.1 Chemical Composition

Chemical composition of respective material shall meet the requirements specified in

ASTM-A-276. Sample for chemical analysis shall be taken from one bar representing
same heat number. In case various bars of same size offered are from different heats,
then samples for chemical analysis shall be taken from one bar of each heat.

4.2 Mechanical Properties

Three full size tensile test specimens from one bar representing same heat number
shall be parted, machined and tested as per ASTM-A-370. Mechanical properties
shall meet the requirements specified in ASTM-A-276. In case various bars of same
size offered are from different heats, then samples test specimens shall be taken from
one bar of each heat.

4.3 Ultrasonic Testing

The bar shall be ultrasonically tested as specified in PP-P-2012 and PP-E-1214 using
a defect standard with 3.18 mm diameter flat bottomed hole. The acceptance
standard shall be as follows: Indications from defect more than that from a 3.18 mm
diameter flat bottomed hole in the defect standard shall be unacceptable.
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4.4 Intergranular Corrosion Test

Materials shall be examined for susceptibility to intergranular attack as per ASTM-A-

262. Practice E (Copper – Copper Sulphate – Sulphuric Acid Test) for stainless steel
type 304 L and 304.

5.0 IDENTIFICATION AND TEST CERTIFICATION

Each bar shall be clearly identified with respect to size, material designation, heat
number and relevant ASTM Specifications. Heat number shall be marked on each bar
and shall be correlated to the appropriate test certificates for chemical composition,
mechanical properties, hardness and ultrasonic testing. Material manufacturer shall
forward copies of following mill test certificates/ inspection reports prior to use of
material for review and acceptance by purchaser or his authorised representative.
These certificates shall be signed by a responsible technical representative of material
manufacturer.

i) Certificate that bars are hot rolled, annealed and pickled.

ii) Certificate to with respect to chemical analysis of bars.
iii) Certificate with respect to mechanical properties.
iv) Certificate with respect to hardness test.
v) Certificate with respect to ultrasonic examination.
vi) Certificate with respect to actual dimensions
vii) Certificate of compliance that all the requirements of ASTM-A-276 and this
specification have been met.

In case above stainless steel bars are purchased from a dealer (without any proper mill
test certificates/identification etc.), then chemical analysis, mechanical testing,
hardness check and ultrasonic testing shall be carried out on each bar by the supplier.

When inspection or testing is subcontracted to an outside agency, the report shall be

signed by a responsible technical representative of such agency and counter signed by
the supplier.

6.0 QUALITY SURVEILLANCE

The overall quality control in the procurement of above material shall be the
responsibility of the supplier. However these bars are subject to quality assurance by
NPC QA by verification of test reports indicated above and carrying out chemical
analysis and mechanical/ NDT tests. Carrying out of these tests is in the supplier
scope of work under NPC QA.