ISO 4954-2:2024

Overview

ISO 4954-2:2024 - Steels for cold heading and cold extruding - Technical delivery conditions - Part 2: Stainless steels defines the delivery and quality requirements for stainless steels intended specifically for cold heading and cold extruding. It applies to materials supplied as wire rods, wire or bars, and covers dimensional ranges of:

• Austenitic steels: 0.8 mm up to 50 mm
• Ferritic steels: up to 25 mm
• Martensitic steels: up to 100 mm

The standard is applicable to properties of cold-headed or cold-extruded parts that may undergo subsequent heat treatment. Note: non‑alloy and alloy steels for these processes are covered in ISO 4954-1.

Key technical topics and requirements

ISO 4954-2:2024 sets out mandatory and optional requirements including:

• Classification and designation of stainless steels for cold forming applications.
• Information to be supplied by the purchaser, including mandatory ordering data and optional/supplementary requirements.
• Manufacturing process considerations: deoxidation, heat‑treatment and surface condition at delivery, cast traceability and statistical evaluation.
• Material requirements:
  • Chemical composition and relevance to cold heading/extruding
  • Mechanical properties and hardenability
  • Grain size, non‑metallic inclusions, and internal soundness
  • Aptitude to cold forming (including upset testing)
  • Surface quality, corrosion resistance, and dimensional/tolerance criteria
• Inspection and testing: procedures, sample preparation, test frequencies and documents. Test methods referenced include chemical analysis, tensile testing, non‑destructive testing (e.g., eddy current, magnetic particle), upsetting test, visual and dimensional checks.
• Marking, surface treatment and packaging requirements.
• Annexes include supplementary requirements, a list of commonly used stainless grades for fastener applications (Annex B) and designation comparisons (Annex C).

Practical applications and users

ISO 4954-2 is intended for stakeholders involved in cold forming of stainless steels:

• Steel producers and mills supplying wire rods, wire and bars for cold forming
• Fastener manufacturers (bolts, rivets, screws) and other cold‑headed component producers
• Automotive, transport, and general engineering component manufacturers using cold heading/extruding
• Quality, procurement and metallurgical engineers specifying material acceptance, testing and traceability The standard helps ensure consistent material performance for reliable forming, dimensional control and post‑forming heat treatment outcomes.

Related standards (select)

• ISO 4954-1 (Non‑alloy and alloy steels for cold heading/extruding)
• ISO 3506 (stainless steel fasteners - referenced in comparisons)
• ISO 16143 series (stainless semi‑finished products)
• ISO 6892-1 (tensile testing), ISO 14284 (chemical sampling), ISO 9934 / ISO 15549 (NDT methods)

Keywords: ISO 4954-2:2024, stainless steels for cold heading, cold extruding, technical delivery conditions, wire rods, bars, austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, material inspection, fastener applications.