By Authority Of
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Legally Binding Document
By the Authority Vested By Part 5 of the United States Code § 552(a) and
Part 1 of the Code of Regulations § 51 the attached document has been duly
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE and shall be considered legally
binding upon all citizens and residents of the United States of America.
HEED THIS NOTICE: Criminal penalties may apply for noncompliance.
e
Document Name: ASTM A475: Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated
Steel Wire Strand
CFR Section(s): 7 CFR 1755.370(b)
Standards Body: American Society for Testing and Materials
Official Incorporator:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER
WASHINGTON, D.C.
~~ Designation: A 475 -78 (Reapproved 1984)'1
Standard Specification for
Zinc-Coated Steel Wire Strand 1
This standard is is,sued 'under the fixed designation A 475; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of '
original adoptjon or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapprovaJ.: A
superscript epsilon (E) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This specification has been approvedfor use by agencies ofthe Department QfDefense andfor listing in the DoD Index ofSpecijications
'and Standards.
El NOTE-Section 2 was added editorially and subsequent sections were renumbered in April 1984.
1. Scope 4.1.2 Nominal strand diameter, number of wires, grade,
1.1 This specification covers five grades of zinc-coated, and minimum breaking strength of strand (Section 8, and
steel wire strand, composed of a number of round,steel Table 1),
wires, with four weights of zinc coatings, suitable for use as 4.1.3 Weight (type and class) of zinc-coating (Section 12
guys, messengers, span wires~ and for similar purpose's. and Table 4), and
1.2' The five grades covered are as follows: 4.1.4 Length of strand in coils or on reels (Section 17).
1.2.1 Utilities,
1.2.2 Common, 5. Material
1.2.3 Siemens-Martin, 5.1 The base metal shall be steel made by th'e open-hearth,
1.2.4 J:Iigh-Strength, and basic-oxygen, Or electric-furnace process and of such quality
1.2.5 ,Extra High-Strength. and purity that, when drawn to the size of wire specified and
1.2.6 Minimum breaking strengths of strand for each coated with zinc,'the finished strand an&theindividual wires
grade are specified in Table 1. shall be of uniform quality and have the properties and
1.3 The four weights of zinc coatings are: Type 1 and characteristics as'prescribed in this'specification.
Classes A, B, and C. Minimum weights of zinc coatings are S.2 The slab zinc, when used for the coating, shall be any
specified in Table 4. grade of zinc conforming to Specification B 6.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
regarded as the standard. 6. Stranding
6.1 Unless otherwise specified, strand shall have a left lay.
2. Referenced Dm;uments A left lay ,is defined as acounter~clockwise twist away from
the observer. All wires shall be strande4 with uniform
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tension. Stranding shall be sufficiently close to ensure nb
A 90 Test Method for Weight of Coating on Zinc-Coated
appre~jable reduction, in diameter when, stressed to 10 % of
(Galvanized) Iron or Steel Articles2
the specified strength. '
B 6 Specification for Zinc (Slab Zinc)3
, 6.2 The 3-wite strand shall consist of three wires concen-
trically twisted with a uniform pitch of not less than 14 nor
3. Description of Strand more than 20x the specifiedt;1dminal diameter of the strand
3.1 The designation of the finished strand shall be ex- 6.3 The 7 -wire strand shall consist of a center wire with a
pressed as the nominal diameter of the strand, the number of 6-wire layer concentrically' twisted over it with a uniform
the wires in the strand, and the minimum breaking strength pitch of not more than f6x the specified nominal diameter
of the strand as prescribed in Table 1, and the type or class of of the strand.
coating as prescribed in Table 4. 6.4 The 19-wire strand shall consist of a center wire with a
6-wire layer concentrically twisted over it, having a right lay
and a uniform pitch of not more than 16x the nominal
4. Ordering Information
diameter of this 7-wire core. The nominal diameter of this
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall 7-wire core shall be considered to be 3x the nominal
include the following information: diameter of the wires. A 12-wire outer layer, having a left lay
4.1.1 Quantity of strand in feet, shall be concentrically twisted over the 7-wire core and shall
have a uniform pitch of not more than 16x the specified
nominal diameter of the strand.
1 This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-S on
Metallic Coated Iron and Steel Products and is the direct responsibility of
6.5 The 37-wire strand shall consist of a center wire with a
Subcommittee A05.12 on Wire Specifications. 6-wire layer concentrically twisted over it, having a left lay
Current edition approved March 31, 1978. Published May 1978. Originally and a uniform pitch of not more than 16x the nominal
published as A 475 - 62 T. Last previous edition A 475 - 72a (1976).
2 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.06.
diameter of this 7-wire inner core. The nominal diameter of
3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 02.03 and 02.04. this 7-wire inner core shall be considered to be 3x the
nominal diameter of the wire. An intermediate layer of 12
26
~m~ A 475
wires having a right lay shall be concentrically twisted over load to the position at the initial failure in the test specimen.
this 7-wire core and shall have a uniform pitch of not more The separation of the jaws of the testing machine shall be
than 16x the nominal diameter of this 19-wire core. The approximately 2 ft when under an initial load equal to 10 %
nominal diameter of this 19-wire core shall be considered as of the required minimum breaking strength of the strand.
5X the nominal diameter of the wires. An 18-wire outer The elongation values shall be recorded only for specimens
layer, having a left lay shall be concentrically twisted over the which break over 1 in. from the jaws of the testing machine.
19-wire core and shall have a uniform pitch of not more than Additional samples shall be taken from the same coil or reel
16x the specified nominal diameter of the strand. when the previous tests are to be disregarded.
6.6 All wires in the strand shall lie naturally in their true 9.3 Elongation tests shall be made on lengths of strand
positions in the completed strand and, when the strand is which do not contain wire joints of splices.
cut, the ends shall remain in position or be readily replaced
by hand and then remain in position. This may be accom- 10. Permissible Variations in Size
plished by any means or process, such as preforming, post
forming or form setting. 10.1 The diameter of the zinc-coated wire forming the
strand specified in Table 1 shall be within the limits
7. Joints and Splices prescribed in Table 3.
7.1 Electric-welded butt joints made prior to the start of
cold drawing of the wire are permitted. 11. Sampling
7.2 In 3-wire strand, there shall be no joints made in the 11.1 Sampling for determination of compliance to this
individual finished wire. In 7-wire strand, joints made in specification shall be performed on each lot of material. A lot
individual finished wires shall be acceptable provided there is shall consist of all the strand of one size and one grade in
not more than one joint in any 150-ft (45.7-m) section of the each shipment. The number of samples to be taken shall be
completed strand and the location of each joint is marked on as follows:
the strand with paint or some other distinguishing mark. Number of
Factory joints made in the individual finished wires of 19 Samples
and 37 -wire strand shall be kept well spaced and at a 5000 ft (1524 m) or less 1
minimum in number. Over 5000 to 30 000 ft (1524 to 9144 m) , 2
7.3 Joints in the wires composing the strand shall be either Over 30 000 to 150 000 ft (9144 to 45 720 m) 3
Over 150 000 ft (45 720 m) 4
the brazed-lap type or electric-butt-welded type. When the
brazed type of joint is used, the length of the lap shall be not 11.2 Each sample taken shall be subjected to all tests
less than 3x the diameter of the wire and the overlapping prescribed in Sections 6, 8, and 9.
faces shall be smooth, clean, properly fluxed, and completely 11.3 In addition to the strand testing in 11.2, the indi-
covered by the brazing metal. When the electric-welded type vidual wires shall be tested. The number of individual wires
of joint is used, care shall be taken to prevent injury to the to be selected from each sample of strand and tested to
wire during electric-butt welding. All joints shall be well determine compliance with Sections 10, 12, 14, and 15 shhll
made and shall be coated with zinc after completion so that be as follows:
the joints shall have protection from corrosion equivalent to
3-wire strand-3 wires
that of the zinc-coated wire itself. 7-wire strand-4 wires
7.4 There shall be no strand joints or strand splices in any 19-wire strand-3 wires from each layer (total of 6 wires)
length of the completed strand unless specifically permitted 37-wire strand-3 wires from each layer (total of 9 wires)
by the purchaser.
NOTE 1-Individual wire samples selected for compliance to Section
8. Breaking Strength and Weight 10 shall be discarded if any distortion of the wire occurred during the
stranding operation.
8.1 The approximate weight per 1000 ft or 305 m, of
strand, and the minimum breaking strength of the finished 11.4 Instead of testing the wires from the completed
strand shall be as specified in Table 1. strand in accordance with 11.3, the producer may elect to
8.2 A test in which the breaking strength is below the establish compliance with Sections 10, 12, 14, and 15 of this
minimum specified and which may have been caused by the spe~ification by tests made on the wires prior to stranding,
. slipping of the specimen in the jaws of the testing machine, unless otherwise stipulated by the purchaser. However, if the
by breaking within the jaws or within 1 in. (25.4 mm) of the producer makes this election, the purchaser still reserves the
jaws, or by the improper socketing of a specimen shall be right to test wires from the completed strand for compliance.
disregarded and another sample from the same coil or reel
shall be tested. Tests shall be made on lengths of strand that 12. Weight of Coating
do not contain wire joints or splices.
12.1 The weight of zinc-coating, in ounces per square foot
9. Elongation or grams per square metre of uncoated wire surface, shall not
be less than that specified in Table 4.
9.1 The elongation of the strand in 24 in. (610 mm) shall
be not less than that specified in Table 2.
9.2 The elongation shall be determined as the percent 13. Tests of Coating
increase in separation between the jaws of the testing 13.1 The weight of the zinc-coating shall be determined
machine from the position after application of the initial by a stripping test in accordance with Test Method A 90.
27
TABLE 1 Physical Properties of Zinc-Coated Steel Wire Strand
NOTE-The numbers in boldface t9pe:indicate sizes' and grades most commonly used and readily available.
Nominal .f\ppr.oximate Minimum Breaking ~trength of Strand, Ibf (kN)
Nominal Diameter Weight of
Number of Coated'~ . Strand,
Diameter
of Wires Siemens- High- Extra High-
of Strand, Wires in : Ib/l000 ,Common
, in. (mm)
in Strand Utilities' Grade A Martin Strength Strength' '
Strand, ft (kgl Grade
in. (mm) . 304.8 m) Grade Grade Grade
1/8 (3.18), 7 0~041 (1.04). 32 (15) 540 (2.402) " 910 (4.048) 1 330 (5.916) 1 ::S3~ (8'.140)
5.62 {3.9?} , .7 0..052 (1:32) 51 {23} , 870 (3.870) 1 470 {6;539} 2 140 (9.519) , 2 940 (13.078),.
3/16 {4.76} 7 0~062 (1.57) 73 (33) 1 150(5.115) 1 900 (8.452) 2 850 {12.677} 3 990 (17.748)
3/16 (4.76) 7 , 0.065 (1.65) 80 _(36) . 2' 400 (10,676) (1)B
7/32 {5.56} 3 0.104 (2:64) , 88 '(40) 1 400 (6.228) 2 340 (10.409) 3 500 (15.569) 4' 900 (21.79B)
7/32 (5.56) 7 0.072 (1.83) 98 ·(44) 1 540 (6.850) 2 560 (11 .387) 3' 850 (17.126) 5 400 (24.020)
1/4 (6.35) 3 0.,129 (3.05) 117 (53) 3 150 (14.012) (2)B 1 860 (8.274) 3 040 (13.523) 4 730 (21.040) 6 740 (29.981)
1,4 (6.35) 3 0,,120 (:f05) 117 (53) 4 500(20;017) (3}B .
1/4 (6.35) 7 0.080,(2.03) 121 (55) 1 900 (8.452) 3 150 (14.012) 4 750 (21.129) 6 650 (29.581)
9/32 (7.14) 3 0:130 (~:30) 137 (62) 2 080(9.252) 3 380' (15.035) 5 260 (23.398) 7 500 (33.362)
9/32 (7.14) 7 0.093 (2.36) 164 (74) '4' 600 (20.462) (1)B 2 570 (1 1.432) 4 250 (18.905) 6 400 (28.469) , 8 950 (39.812)
~
~
~
5/16 (7.94) 3 0;145 (3.68) 171 (78) 6 5()0(28~913) (3)B 2' ·490 (11.076) 4 090 (18.193) 6 350 (28.246) 9 100(40.479),
tv
00 l>
%6 (7.94) 7 0.104 (2.64) 205 (93) 3 200 (14.234) 5 350 (23.798) 8 000 (35.586) 11 200 (49.820) oI::Ia
5/'6 ' (7.94) 7 0.1 09(2.77) 225 (102) . 6~ 000 (26.689) (l)B .......
3/.a (9.52) 3 0,,165(4.19) 220 (100) 8 500 (37.810) (3)B 3 330 (14.813) 5 560 (24.732) 8 360 (37.187) 11 800 (52.489) ,UI
3,1 (9.52) 7 ' 0.120 (3.05) 273 (124) 11 500 (51.155) (4)B 4 250 (18.905) 6 950 (30.915) 10 800 (48.040) 15 400 (68.503)
7/16 (11.11 ) 7 O.1~5 (3.68) 399 (181) 18 000 (80.068) (4JB 5 700 (25.355), 9 350 (41.591) 14 .500 (64.499) 20 800 (92.523)
'/2 (12.70) 7 0.165 (4.,19) 517 (234) 25 000 (111~206) (4)B 7 400 (32.917) 12. 100 (53.823)' 18 800'(83:.s27) ,26 900 (119.657)
1/2 (12.70) 19 0.1pO (2.54) 504 (229) 7620 (33.895) 12 700 (56.492) 19 100,(84.961) 26 700 (118~768)
9/16 (14.29) 7 0.188 (4.78) 671 (304) 9 600 (42.703) , 15 700 (69.837) 24 500: (108.981) , 35 000 (155.688)
9/16 (14.29) 1,9 0.113 (2.87) 637 (289) 9,640 (42~881) 16 100 (71.616r 24 100(107.202) 33 700 (149:905)
5/8 (1.588) 7 0.207 (5.26) 813 (369) 11 600 (51.599) 19 100 (84.961) 29 600 (131.66?) 42:' 400 (188.60S)
..
5/8 (15.88) 19 0.125{3.18) 796 (361) 11 000 (48.930) 18 100 (80.513) 28 100(124.995) -40 200 (178.819)
3/4 (1!t05) 19 0.150 (3.81) '1 155 (524~ 16 000 (71.172) 26 ' 200 (116~543) 40 800 (181.487)' 58 300 (259.331)
7/S (22.22) '19 0.1;77 (4.50) 1 581 (717), 21900 (970416) '35 900 (159,691) 55 800 (248.211 r 79 , 700 (354.523)
1 (25.40) ,::\9, 0.200 (5.08) 2 Q73 (940) 28 700 (127.664) 47 000 (209.066) 73 200 (325.610)' 104 500 (464.839)
1 (25.40) ,37 0.143 (S.63) 2 057 (933) 28 300 (125.885) 46 ,200 (205.508) 71900 (319.827) ·102 700 (456.832)
l1/s .(28.58) 37 . 0.161 (4.09) 2 691 (1 221) 36 000 (160.136) 58- 900 (262.00.0) 91 600'(407.457} 130 800 (581.827)
11/4 (31:75) ,37 0.17.9 (4.55) 3 '248 (1 473) 44 600 (198.391) 73 000 (3~4.720) 113 600 (505.318) 162 290 (721.502)
A The Utilities Grade is us~d principally by C9m)l1uriication and power and light industries.
B Refer to elongation requirements specifiedin'Section 9. ., " ,
\
I
~m~ A475
TABLE 2 Elongation Requirements for Grades of Strand TABLE 4 Nominal Diameters and Minimum Weights of Coating
Elongation in 24 for Zinc-Coated Steel Wires A
Grade of Strand In. (610 mm), Nominal Diam-
Minimum Weight of Coating, oz/ft2 (g/m2) of Uncoated Wire
min, % eter of Coated Surface
Utilities Grade (1)A and Common Strand 10 Wire in the
Utilities Grade (2)A and Siemens-Martin 8 Strand, in.
Type 1 B Class AC Class BD Class CD
Utilities Grade (3)A and High-Strength 5 (mm)
Utilities Grade (4)A and Extra High-Strength 4 0.041 (1.04) 0.15 (46) 0.40 (122) 0.80 (244) 1.20 (366)
A See Table 1, Footnote B. 0.052 (1.32) 0.15 (46) 0.40 (122) 0.80 (244) 1.20 (366)
0.062 (1.57) 0.15 (46) 0.50 (153) 1.00 (305) 1.50 (458)
0.065 (1.65) 0.15 (46) 0.50 (153) 1.00 (305) 1.50 (458)
14. Adherence of Coating 0.072 (1.83) 0.15 (46) 0.50 (153) 1.00 (305) 1.50 (458)
14.1 The zinc-coated wire shall be capable of being 0.080 (2.03) 0.30 (92) 0.60 (183) 1.20 (366) 1.80 (549)
wrapped at a rate not exceeding 15 turns/min in a close helix 0.093 (2.36) 0.30 (92) 0.70 (214) 1.40 (427) 2.10 (641)
0.100 (2.54) 0.30 (92) 0.70 (214) 1.40 (427) 2.10 (641)
of at least two turns around a cylindrical mandrel equal to 0.104 (2.64) 0.30 (92) 0.80 (244) 1.60 (488) 2.40 (732)
3x the nominal diameter of the wire under test, without 0.109 (2.77) 0.30 (92) 0.80 (244) 1.60 (488) 2.40 (732)
cracking or flaking the zinc coating to such an extent that
any zinc can be removed by rubbing with the bare fingers. 0.113 (2.87) 0.30 (92) 0.80 (244) 1.60 (488) 2.40 (732)
0.120 (3.05) 0.30 (92) 0.85 (259) 1.70 (519) 2.55 (778)
NOTE 2-Loosening or detachment during the adhesion test of 0.125 (3.18) 0.30 (92) 0.85 (259) 1.70 (519) 2.55 (778)
superficial, small particles of zinc formed by mechanical polishing of the 0.130 (3.30) 0.30 (92) 0.85 (259) 1.70 (519) 2.55 (778)
0.143 (3.63) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (275) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
surface of zinc-coated wire shall not be considered cause for rejection.
0.145 (3.68) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (275) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
15. Ductility of Steel 0.150 (3.81) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (275) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
0.161 (4.09) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (2~5) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
15.1 The zinc-coated wire shall not fracture when 0.165 (4.19) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (275) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
wrapped at a rate not exceeding 15 turns/min in a close helix 0.177 (4.50) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (275) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
of at least 2 turns around a cylindrical mandrel. The mandrel 0.179 (4.55) 0.40 (122) 0.90 (275) 1.80 (549) 2.70 (824)
diameter for testing Common and Siemens-Martin grade 0.188 (4.78) 0.40 (122) 1.00 (305) 2.00 (610) 3.00 (915)
strand shall be equal to the nominal diameter of the 0.200 (5.08) 0.40 (122) 1.00 (305) 2.00 (610) 3.00 (915)
individual wires of the strand. The mandrel diameter for 0.207 (5.26) 0.40 (122) 1.00 (305) 2.00 (610) 3.00 (915)
Utilities, High-Strength, and Extra High-Strength grade A For intermediate sizes of wire in the strand, the weight designations are the
strand, shall be equal to 3x the nominal diameter of the same as for the next finer size shown in this table.
B Type 1 (formerly "Galvanized") coating applies to "Common" Grade of strand
individual wires of the strand. only.
C Class A, "Extra Galvanized" and "Double Galvanized" are equivalent terms.
16. Finish D Class A, Class B, and Class C coatings apply to all grades of strand.
16.1 The zinc-coated wire shall be free of imperfections
not consistent with good commercial practice. The zinc- 17.1.2 Standard practice is to furnish all strand 7/16 in.
coating shall be continuous and of reasonably uniform (11.11 mm) and over in diameter on reels in lengths of 1000
thickness. ft (304 m) and over. Strand lengths of less than 1000 ft are
regularly furnished in coils.
17. Packaging and Marking 17.2 Each coil or reel shall have a strong weather-resistant
17.1 Wire strand shall be furnished in standard lengths tag securely fastened to it showing the length, nominal
(see 17.1.1) and in compact coils or on reels (see 17.1.2) as diameter, number of wires, grade of the strand, type, or class
specified by the purchaser; otherwise lengths shall be as of coating, ASTM designation A 475, and the name or mark
agreed upon at the time of purchase. Only one length of of the manufacturer. If additional information is required on
strand shall be furnished in each coil or on each reel. Lengths the tag, it shall be so specified at the time of purchase.
of strand may vary between the standard (nominal) length 18. Inspection
and 10 % over the standard (nominal) length, unless other- 18.1 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector repre-
wise specified by the purchaser. senting the purchaser all reasonable facilities to satisfy him
17.1.1 Standard lengths of strand are as follows: 250, 500, that the material is being furnished in accordance with this
1000, 2500, and 5000 ft (76, 152, 304, 760, and 1520 m). specification. All tests and inspection shall be made at the
place of manufacture prior to shipment, unless otherwise
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter of Individual specified, and shall be so conducted as not to interfere
Zinc-Coated Wires
unnecessarily with the operation of the works.
Permissible Variations,
Nominal Diameter of Coated Wires
in the Strand, in. (mm)
plus and minus, 19. Rejection
In. (mm)
19.1 If the wire or strand fails in the first test to meet any
0.041 to 0.060 (1.04 to 1.52) 0.002 (0.05)
0.061 to 0.090 (1.55 to 2.29) 0.003 (0.08)
requirement of this specification, two additional tests shall be
0.091 to 0.120 (2.31 to 3.05) 0.004 (0.10) made on samples of wire or strand from the same coil or reel.
0.121 and over (3.07 and over) 0.005 (0.13) If failure occurs in either of these tests, the lot of wire or
strand shall be rejected.
29
~m~ A475
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this stflndard. Users of (his standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk 'of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own resppnsibility.
This standard is subjeQ,t to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for adcjitional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters., Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your
views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.
30
