Overview
ASTM B107/B107M-13(2021) is the international standard specification for magnesium-alloy extruded bars, rods, profiles, tubes, and wire. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines the requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensions, tolerances, and quality assurance of magnesium alloy extruded products. Widely recognized in both inch-pound and SI metric units, ASTM B107/B107M provides essential guidelines to ensure reliable quality and performance of magnesium extrusions across multiple industries.
Key Topics
- Scope and Applicability: Covers solid and hollow extruded forms, including bars, rods, profiles (custom cross sections), tubes, and wire manufactured from magnesium alloys.
- Chemical Composition: Specifies acceptable ranges and limits of alloying elements to ensure material integrity. Chemical analysis and sampling guidelines are included.
- Mechanical Properties: Stipulates minimum requirements for tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation in various product forms and sizes.
- Dimensional Tolerances: Establishes cross-sectional tolerances for different product geometries, including round, square, hexagonal, and octagonal shapes, as well as straightness and flatness criteria.
- Workmanship: Requires extruded products to be uniform in quality, free from injurious surface defects, and to exhibit a workmanlike finish.
- Corrosion Resistance: Includes procedures and periodic tests (such as salt spray exposure) to verify adequate resistance to corrosion, especially in specific alloys.
- Certification and Marking: Details requirements for product marking and, when specified, certification of compliance.
- Packaging: Offers guidance for packaging and package marking to protect materials during transportation and delivery.
Applications
Magnesium-alloy extruded products governed by ASTM B107/B107M are widely used for their favorable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication. Key practical applications include:
- Aerospace Industry: Lightweight structural components, brackets, and support frames where weight reduction is critical.
- Automotive Sector: Drive shafts, frames, steering wheel cores, seat frames, and other lightweight parts improving fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
- Electronics: Housings, chassis, and internal supports in mobile devices or computing equipment, benefiting from electromagnetic shielding and low weight.
- Sporting Goods and Consumer Products: Bicycle frames, sporting equipment, luggage frames, tool handles, and similar products where weight and strength are important.
- Military and Defense: Lightweight structures and support systems, benefiting from compliance with U.S. Department of Defense adoption of this standard.
Consistent implementation of ASTM B107/B107M enhances process quality, promotes uniformity, and provides confidence in the supply chain for manufacturers, suppliers, and end users.
Related Standards
- ASTM B117: Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus - referenced for corrosion resistance testing.
- ASTM B296: Practice for Temper Designations of Magnesium Alloys, Cast and Wrought.
- ASTM B557/B557M: Test Methods for Tension Testing Wrought and Cast Aluminum- and Magnesium-Alloy Products.
- ASTM B660: Practices for Packaging/Packing of Aluminum and Magnesium Products.
- ASTM B951: Practice for Codification of Unalloyed Magnesium and Magnesium-Alloys, Cast and Wrought.
- ASTM E29: Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications.
- ASTM E55: Practice for Sampling Wrought Nonferrous Metals and Alloys for Determination of Chemical Composition.
- ASTM E527: Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS).
Standardizing magnesium alloy extrusions according to ASTM B107/B107M-13(2021) ensures that critical material requirements are met, supporting reliability and safety in advanced engineering applications.