This standard is issued under the fixed designation E45; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript epsilon (ε) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope*

1.1

These test methods cover a number of recognized procedures for determining the nonmetallic inclusion content of wrought steel. Macroscopic methods include macroetch, fracture, step-down, and magnetic particle tests. Microscopic methods include five generally accepted systems of examination. In these microscopic methods, inclusions are assigned to a category based on similarities in morphology, and not necessarily on their chemical identity. Metallographic techniques that allow simple differentiation between morphologically similar inclusions are briefly discussed. While the methods are primarily intended for rating inclusions, constituents such as carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, borides, and intermetallic phases may be rated using some of the microscopic methods. In some cases, alloys other than steels may be rated using one or more of these methods; the methods will be described in terms of their use on steels.

1.2

These test methods cover procedures to perform JK-type inclusion ratings using automatic image analysis in accordance with microscopic methods A and D.

1.3

Depending on the type of steel and the properties required, either a macroscopic or a microscopic method for determining the inclusion content, or combinations of the two methods, may be found most satisfactory.

1.4

These test methods deal only with recommended test methods and nothing in them should be construed as defining or establishing limits of acceptability for any grade of steel.

1.5

The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.6

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2

2.2 SAE Standards: 3

2.3 Aerospace Material Specifications: 3

2.4 ISO Standards: 4

2.5 ASTM Adjuncts:

3. Terminology

3.1

3.2

4. Significance and Use

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

MACROSCOPIC METHODS

5. Macroscopical Test Methods Overview

MICROSCOPIC METHODS

6. Microscopic Test Methods Overview

7. Sampling

7.1

7.2

7.3

8. Test Specimen Geometry

8.1

8.2

8.3

9. Preparation of Specimens

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.4

10. Calibration and Standardization

10.1

10.2

11. Classification of Inclusions and Calculation of Severities

11.1

11.2

11.3

11.4

11.5

11.6

11.7

11.8

11.9

11.10

11.11

11.12

12. Method A (Worst Fields)11

12.1

12.2

12.3

12.4

12.5

12.6

13. Method B (Length)

13.1

13.2

13.3

14. Method C (Oxides and Silicates)14

14.1

14.2

14.3

15. Method D (Low Inclusion Content)

15.1

15.2

15.3

15.4

15.5

15.6

16. Method E (SAM Rating)

16.1

Introduction—This test method is used to rate the inclusion content of steels in a manner that reflects the severity and frequency of occurrence of the larger B- and D-Type inclusions. It will result in a survey of a 160 mm² polished surface of the specimen at 100×.

16.2

16.3

17. Test Report

17.1

17.2

18. Precision and Bias

18.1

18.2

18.3

18.4

18.5

18.6

19. Keywords

19.1

ASTM E45 - 25

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel

Current

Published:

19 Jun 2025