John Deere Standard

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SUPPLIER DISTRIBUTION
JDM B3
Specification for Gray (Flake Graphite) Cast Iron

Table of Contents
1. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Product Approval Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4. Mechanical Property Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. Test Bar Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6. Casting Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7. Thermal Fatigue Life (Suffix “T”) Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8. Chemical Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
9. Quality Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
10. Test Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
11. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

List of Tables
Table 1. Designations and Descriptions of JDM B3 Gray Cast Iron Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Cross Reference Between JDM B3 and Other Standard Gray Cast Iron Grades . . 5
Table 3. Mechanical Property Requirements of JDM B3 Gray Cast Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Table 4. Technically Equivalent Test Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

List of Figures
Figure 1. Radial Test Zone for Determination of Test Bar Hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 2. Longitudinal Test Zone for Determination of Test Bar Hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Issued: Feb 1996 Revised: Jan 1998 Term Code: Design Control: DT Page 1 of 10
Supersedes: Feb 1996
John Deere standards are intended for use by Deere & Company, its divisions and subsidiaries. Suppliers who rely on them in
furnishing products to or for the benefit of the Company must determine that they are in possession of the latest version.
Distribution of the standards to parties other than John Deere Suppliers, whether with or without charge, are for information only and
Deere & Company disclaims all responsibility for results attributable to the application of or compliance with such standards. The
Company makes no presentation, express or implied, that conformity ensures compliance with applicable law or other rules or
regulations. Further, those who are in receipt of and elect to use the standards, agree to assume the responsibility for compliance
with patents, as well as potential patent infringement.
Deere & Company Engineering Standards Department, John Deere Road, Moline, Illinois 61265. Unpublished––All rights reserved
under the copyright laws.
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1. Scope
1.1 JDM B3 specifies designations and property and casting requirements for six grades of sand–molded
gray (flake graphite) cast iron used by Deere & Company. These requirements apply when JDM B3 grades
are specified on Deere part drawings. Information on the engineering properties of ductile cast iron is
provided in JDS–D35.1.

1.2 JDM B3 grades are based on material properties obtained in test bars designed to standardize
cooling rate and on Brinell hardness of castings. Properties developed in certain casting sections may vary
from test bar values. When a working correlation between test bar properties and casting section properties
must be known with confidence for a specific application, appropriate experimentation should be carried out
to determine that correlation.

1.3 JDM B3 supersedes the former JDM B3.1 and JDM B3.2, which are withdrawn. Table 1 shows the
relationship between current JDM B3 grades and former John Deere grade designations. The appropriate
JDM B3 grade shall be substituted when one of the former John Deere grade designations is specified on a
part drawing.

2. Product Approval Procedures

2.1 Demonstration of Process Capability. Approval of foundry suppliers shall be based on
demonstrated capability to meet the property requirements of the specified grades. A minimum of 20 test
bars obtained over a period of at least one month shall be analyzed to demonstrate process capability.
Separate approvals apply to each JDM B3 cast iron grade. Upon request by Deere, foundries may be
required to repeat their demonstration of process capability to meet the property requirements of the
specified grades.

2.2 Approval of Sample Castings. Prior to shipment of production castings, Deere units should
review sample castings for conformance to requirements, including casting hardness, microstructure,
casting soundness, surface finish, and dimensional tolerances. Procedures for review and approval of
sample castings are the responsibility of the purchasing Deere unit.

2.3 Acceptance of Production Castings. Production castings shall be sampled and tested by the
producing foundry in conformance to an approved quality control plan. Individual test results from valid
tests shall conform to the property limits for the JDM B3 grade produced. The producing foundry shall not
ship castings that do not meet specification requirements. Production castings may also be sampled and
tested by the purchasing Deere unit. Production lots which do not meet requirements shall be subject to
rejection by the purchasing Deere unit.

2.4 Quality Control Plan. The producing foundry shall establish a quality control plan for review and
approval by Deere. Individual Deere units may require additional measures of quality assurance, which
may include official supplier quality certification. The decision to require such certification, as well as the
details of any certification program, are the responsibility of the purchasing Deere unit. However, the
requirements of JDM B3 shall not be lessened or negated by unit certification programs.

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3. Designations
3.1 Designation System. JDM B3 gray cast iron grades are defined by a combination of three factors:

Ratio of tensile strength to BrineIl hardness, as measured in a standard test bar (used
primarily for foundry process control and for property predictions)

Tensile strength, as measured in a standard test bar

Casting hardness, as measured at specified locations on the casting

Designations and descriptions of the JDM B3 gray cast iron grades are shown in Table 1. Each basic
JDM B3 grade designation is composed of a letter, a 3–digit number, and a letter; grades that require
thermal fatigue properties are identified by addition of a final letter “T” to the basic grade designation. The
first letter represents the tensile strength to hardness ratio; a different letter is assigned to each specified
minimum tensile/hardness ratio. The 3–digit number represents the specified minimum tensile strength
level in a test bar, expressed in MPa. The second letter represents the casting hardness range; a different
letter is assigned to each specified hardness range. The final letter “T” is used only when thermal fatigue
properties are required and only for grades B225CT and C275CT.
Note 1 The property levels indicated by the JDM B3 grade designations are statistical limits determined in
conformance to Clause 9.3.

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Table 1. Designations and Descriptions of JDM B3 Gray Cast Iron Grades

Former John Deere Grades

JDM B3
Description JDM JDM
Grade Other
B3.2 B3.1

As–cast gray cast iron with ≥175 MPa tensile strength

test bar property; 173 to 255 HB casting hardness range.
B175B A0–A None None
Used for general purpose castings where strength is not
a design requirement.
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥200 MPa tensile strength
B200B
B200B test bar property; 173 to 255 HB casting hardness range. 215 None
B1–B
Used for general purpose castings.
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥225 MPa tensile strength
test bar property; 204 to 255 HB casting hardness range. B225C
B225C None JDT 66
Used for castings that require higher strength than B2–C
B200B.
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥225 MPa tensile strength
test bar property; thermal fatigue life requirement; 204 to
B225CT
B225CT 255 HB casting hardness range. Used for castings that None None
B2–CT
require moderate strength plus thermal fatigue
properties.
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥225 MPa tensile strength C225B
C225B test bar property; 173 to 255 HB casting hardness range. C1–B None None
Used for castings with thick cross sections. C2–B
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥250 MPa tensile strength
C250C test bar property; 204 to 255 HB casting hardness range. None None None
Used for castings with thick cross sections.
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥275 MPa tensile strength
C275C
test bar property; 204 to 255 HB casting hardness range.
C275C C2–C 232 None
Used for castings with thick cross sections that require
C4–C
higher strength.
As–cast gray cast iron with ≥275 MPa tensile strength
test bar property; thermal fatigue life requirement; 204 to C275CT
C275CT 255 HB casting hardness range. Used for castings with C2–CT None None
thick cross sections that require higher strength plus C4–CT
thermal fatigue properties.

The appropriate current JDM B3 grade shall be substituted when one of the former John Deere
grade designations is specified on a part drawing.

A producing foundry may substitute grade B200B for grade B175B for all castings where B175B is
specified. A producing foundry may substitute grade C225B for B200B when it does not affect the
quality of the castings produced. A producing foundry may substitute grade C250C for C225B when
it does not affect the quality of the castings produced. The foundry shall notify the purchaser of any
grade substitution prior to delivery of the castings.

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3.2 Other Standard Grades. Table 2 provides a cross reference between John Deere and other
standard grades of gray cast iron. JDM B3 grades may be substituted for the corresponding ISO 185,
ASTM A48, ASTM A48M, EN 1561, DIN 1691, and JIS G5501 cross reference grades shown in Table 2.
The ISO 185, ASTM A48, ASTM A48M, EN 1561, DIN 1691, and JIS G5501 grades shall not be
substituted for JDM B3 grades.

Table 2. Cross Reference

Between JDM B3 and Other Standard Gray Cast Iron Grades

JDM B3 ISO 185 ASTM A48 ASTM A48M EN 1561 DIN 1691 JIS G5501

EN–GJL–150 GG–15
B175B 150 25B 175B FC150
EN–JL–1020 0.6015
EN–GJL–200 GG–20
B200B 200 30B 200B FC200
EN–JL–1030 0.6020
B225C None None 225B None None None
B225CT None None None None None None
C225B None None 225B None None None
EN–GJL–250 GG–25
C250B 250 35B 250B FC250
EN–JL–1040 0.6025
EN–GJL–250 GG–25
C275C 250 40B 275B FC250
EN–JL–1040 0.6025
C275CT None None None None None None

JDM B3 grades may be substituted for the corresponding grades from other standards as shown.
Gray cast iron grades from other standards shall not be substituted for JDM B3 grades.

3.3 Drawing Callout. The drawing callout shall include the standard number and the material
designation (grade).

Examples: JDM B3 B175B JDM B3 C225B

JDM B3 B200B JDM B3 C250B
JDM B3 B225C JDM B3 C275C
JDM B3 B225CT JDM B3 C275CT

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4. Mechanical Property Requirements

Mechanical property requirements of JDM B3 gray cast iron grades are shown in Table 3. Mechanical
property requirements in Table 3 are statistical limits determined by interval tolerancing methods of analysis
per JDQ 83. (See Clause 9.3 and the bullet items in Table 3.)

Table 3. Mechanical Property Requirements of JDM B3 Gray Cast Iron

Test Bar Properties Casting Properties

JDM B3 Grade Tensile Strength Brinell Hardness
T/H Ratio
MPa kg/mm2 (HB) MPa

≥173 ≥1700
B175B ≥0.100 ≥175
≤255 ≤2500
≥173 ≥1700
B200B ≥0.100 ≥200
≤255 ≤2500
≥204 ≥2000
B225C ≥0.100 ≥225
≤255 ≤2500
≥204 ≥2000
B225CT ≥0.100 ≥225
≤255 ≤2500
≥173 ≥1700
C225B ≥0.115 ≥225
≤255 ≤2500
≥173 ≥1700
C250B ≥0.115 ≥250
≤255 ≤2500
≥204 ≥2000
C275C ≥0.115 ≥275
≤255 ≤2500
≥204 ≥2000
C275CT ≥0.115 ≥275
≤255 ≤2500

Calculate T/H ratio as tensile strength of the test bar (in MPa) divided by Brinell hardness of the test
bar (in MPa): T/H ratio = T(MPa)/H(MPa). T/H ratio is affected by the type and amount of graphite in
the microstructure.

For T/H ratio: Calculate population lower limits for 95 percent of the population with 90 percent
confidence (P = 0.95, C = 0.90) per JDQ 83A.

For tensile strength: Calculate population lower limits for 99 percent of the population with 75 percent
confidence (P = 0.99, C = 0.75) per JDQ 83B.

For Brinell casting hardness: Calculate population upper and lower limits for 99 percent of the
population with 75 percent confidence (P = 0.99, C = 0.75) per JDQ 83A.

Rounding of individual results and calculated statistical limits: T/H ratio shall rounded and reported
to the nearest 0.001. Tensile strength shall be rounded and reported to the nearest 1 MPa. Brinell
hardness shall be rounded and reported to the nearest 10 MPa or 1 kg/mm2 (HB). Follow the
rounding method of ASTM E29.

Conversion factors: MPa to kpsi, multiply by 0.14503774; kpsi to MPa, multiply by 6.894757. MPa
to HB, multiply by 0.10197162; HB to MPa, multiply by 9.80665.

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5. Test Bar Requirements

5.1 Standard Test Bars. Standard 30 mm test bars shall be cast in silica sand molds. Unless
otherwise agreed between supplier and purchaser, test bar castings shall be poured concurrently with and
shall be of the same grade and metallurgical processing as the production castings the test bars represent.
Test bar castings shall, without exception, be left in their molds until they have cooled to ≤500°C.

5.2 Property Requirements. Tensile strength and T/H ratio in the test bar shall be within the limits
specified in Table 3 when tested in conformance to the test methods listed in Table 4. Test bar hardness
tests required to determine the T/H ratio shall be performed in conformance to the test method listed in
Table 4 and reported in MPa. The frequency of casting of test bars in production shall be sufficient to assure
statistical conformance to test bar specification requirements as indicated in Table 3.

Note 2 The recommended minimum frequency of casting of test bars in production is one test bar per
operating shift per target iron. See Clause 9.3.1 for a explanation of what constitutes a target iron.
The frequency of casting test bars in production shall be part of the foundry’s quality control plan
per Clause 2.4.

6. Casting Requirements
6.1 Brinell Casting Hardness. Brinell casting hardness shall be determined at one or more locations
on the casting. Frequency of hardness testing shall be part of the foundry’s quality control plan per
Clause 2.4. Brinell casting hardness shall be determined in conformance to the test method listed in
Table 4.

6.1.1 Standard Brinell Casting Hardness Ranges. Unless otherwise specified per Clause 6.1.2, Brinell
casting hardness shall be within the limits shown in Table 3 for the specified grade. Unless otherwise
specified, hardness limits from Table 3 shall apply to the entire casting.

6.1.2 Alternate Brinell Casting Hardness Ranges. Alternate Brinell casting hardness ranges may be
specified on the part drawing. Results of all hardness tests shall fall within the specified range, which takes
precedence over the values shown in Table 3.

6.1.3 Locations for Brinell Casting Hardness Tests. Locations for Brinell casting hardness tests should
be specified on the part drawing. If no locations are specified on the part drawing or otherwise agreed upon
by producer and Deere, the producing foundry may select the locations for casting hardness tests.
Locations for hardness tests should recognize and be compatible with manufacturing operations and part
integrity. Hardness locations should also take into account the physical relationship between section size,
cooling rate, and casting hardness. Product engineers should consult with the producing foundry before
hardness locations are specified.

6.2 Microstructure. Castings shall be substantially free of chill (white or mottled iron) as defined in
ASTM A644. There shall be no chill in areas to be machined.

6.3 Heat Treatment. Salvage heat treatment shall be permitted only with prior approval by the
purchaser. To be accepted after salvage heat treatment, individual castings shall meet the casting
hardness requirements shown in Table 3 for the specified grade.

6.4 Other Requirements. Unless otherwise covered in this standard or specified on the part drawing,
casting quality shall conform to the requirements of JDM B15 (or to JDM B11 for parts adopted before
1 July 1994).

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7. Thermal Fatigue Life Requirements

Grades B225CT and C275CT require thermal fatigue properties. The thermal fatigue life of grades B225CT
and C275CT shall exceed the minimum thermal fatigue life shown in JDQ 62. JDQ 62 shall be used to
qualify foundries for grades B225CT and C275CT prior to production. JDQ 62 shall also be used to qualify
metallurgical process changes, including alloy content, prior to production. Frequency of testing during
production shall be determined by agreement between the producing foundry and the engineering
department responsible for the design.

8. Chemical Composition
Chemical composition requirements may be agreed upon between the supplier and purchaser, but
chemical composition is not specified by JDM B3. The producer shall establish and maintain a range of
chemical compositions that will provide gray cast iron meeting the specified mechanical property
requirements for each JDM B3 grade produced. No matter what chemical composition is used, the
requirements defined in Clauses 4 through 7 shall be met.

9. Quality Assurance
9.1 Responsibility. The producing foundry that accepts an order for gray iron castings per JDM B3
shall coordinate all steps in the manufacturing process to assure that parts and test specimens conform to
the specified requirements.

9.2 Documentation. The producing foundry shall document all testing with dated records of the test
results to be retained for a period of at least four years, and as otherwise required by local regulation.
Records shall include the results of all chemical analyses, tensile and hardness tests on test bars, hardness
tests on castings, and thermal fatigue life tests on test bars. The records and test facilities shall be available
for inspection by the purchaser.

9.3 Statistical Analysis of Data. Interval tolerancing methods of statistical analysis (JDQ 83) shall be
used to determine conformance of mechanical properties to mechanical property requirements of JDM B3
cast iron grades.

9.3.1 Sample Populations for Data Analysis of Test Bar Mechanical Properties. Appropriate
populations of data shall be determined prior to statistical analysis for evaluation of conformance to this
specification. It is understood that a foundry may intentionally establish different process targets within a
given grade of iron in order to achieve desired properties in the final castings. Statistical analysis shall be
performed only on populations of test bars that represent a similar foundry practice. For test bar
mechanical properties, populations shall be based on significant differences in foundry practice, such as
melting method, charge materials, inoculation practice, and target chemistry. Results of all valid tests for
each property on each target iron shall be included in a separate sample population for data analysis.

9.3.2 Sample Populations for Data Analysis of Brinell Casting Hardness. Appropriate populations of
data shall be determined prior to statistical analysis for evaluation of conformance to this specification. For
Brinell casting hardness, populations shall be based on Brinell hardness tests on castings of each part
number at each specified casting locations. Results of all valid tests for each specified hardness location on
each part number shall be included in separate sample populations for data analysis.

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9.4 Test Validity. Tests for determination of mechanical properties shall be considered valid unless one
or more of the following conditions applies:

An improper test method was used.

The test specimen or its preparation was defective.

The test specimen was improperly mounted in the test equipment.

The test equipment was operated incorrectly.

The test specimen did not fracture within the gage section.

If a test is determined to be invalid, a new test specimen shall, if possible, be prepared from the same
production lot and the results substituted for those of the defective test specimen.

10. Test Methods

10.1 Identification of Test Methods. Properties of JDM B3 gray cast iron shall be determined by
one of the test methods listed in Table 4 or by other test methods that can be shown to be technically
equivalent.

Table 4. Technically Equivalent Test Methods

Property JDQ ISO ASTM CEN JSA

ASTM E8
Tensile Strength ––– ISO 6892 EN 10002–1 JIS Z2241
ASTM E8M
Brinell Hardness
(test method
modified per ––– ISO 6506 ASTM E10 EN 10003–1 JIS Z2243
JDM B3, Clause
10.2)
Thermal Fatigue Life JDQ 62 ––– ––– ––– –––

10.2 Brinell Hardness Test. Test bar hardness shall be taken between the bar center and midpoint of
the as–cast radius and center (the radial test zone as shown in Figure 1) and between 50 mm and 75 mm
from the as–cast end (the longitudinal test zone as shown in Figure 2). Brinell hardness of test bars shall be
determined using a 10 mm diameter steel ball and a 29.42 kN (3000 kg) load. The same test conditions are
preferred, but not required, for determination of Brinell casting hardness.

7.5 mm

ÉÉÉ
Midpoint of Radius

ÉÉÉ
ÉÉÉ
30 mm

Radial Test Zone for Determination of Test Bar Hardness

Figure 1. Radial Test Zone For Determination Of Test Bar Hardness

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ÉÉ C

ÉÉ
L

ÉÉ
Longitudinal Test Zone for Determination of Test Bar Hardness
50 mm

75 mm

Figure 2. Longitudinal Test Zone for Determination of Test Bar Hardness

10.3 Chemical Analysis. Determination of chemical composition may be performed using any
recognized analytical method, including X–ray fluorescence, optical emission, and atomic absorption
spectroscopy. Reference methods shall conform to appropriate ISO or ASTM standards.

11. References
ASTM A644 Definitions of Terms Relating to Iron Castings
ASTM A48 Specification for Gray Iron Castings
ASTM A48M Specification for Gray Iron Castings [Metric]
ASTM E8 Method of Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
ASTM E8M Method of Tension Testing of Metallic Materials [Metric]
ASTM E10 Test for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
ASTM E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with
Specifications
DIN 1691 Flake graphite cast iron (gray cast iron) –– Properties
EN 1561 Founding –– Gray cast irons
EN 10002–1 Metallic materials –– Tensile testing –– Part 1: Method of test (at ambient temperature)
EN 10003–1 Metallic materials –– Hardness test –– Brinell –– Part 1: Test method
ISO 185 Grey cast iron –– Classification
ISO 6506 Metallic materials –– Hardness test –– BrineIl test
ISO 6892 Metallic materials –– Tensile testing
JIS G5501 Gray iron castings
JIS Z2241 Method of tensile test for metallic materials
JIS Z2243 Method of Brinell hardness test
JDM B11 General Requirements for Iron Castings (Applies to Parts Adopted Before 1 July 1994)
JDM B15 General Requirements for Iron Castings (Applies to Parts Adopted After 30 June 1994)
JDQ 62 Strain Controlled Cyclic Load Test for Cast Iron at Elevated Temperature
JDQ 83 Interval Tolerancing Method of Statistical Analysis
JDS–D35.1 Engineering Information for Gray (Flake Graphite) Cast Iron
RES 10407 Gray Cast Iron

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