Designation: F364 − 96 (Reapproved 2014)

Standard Specification for

Molybdenum Flattened Wire for Electron Tubes 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F364; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.1.2 Type II, UNS R03603—This type shall be a high-

1.1 This specification covers two types of molybdenum recrystallization-temperature material having the composition
flattened wire up to 0.050 in. (1.27 mm) thick and up to 0.375 limits prescribed in Table 1 and shall be capable of retaining its
in. (9.52 mm) wide, specifically for use in electron tubes. The ductility after firing at a temperature of 2375 6 25°F (1300 6
two grades have UNS numbers R03604 and R03603. 14°C) for at least 20 min.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 4. Ordering Information
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
and are not considered standard. the following information:
4.1.1 Quantity of each size,
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the 4.1.2 Dimensions or size (see 8.1),
test method described in this specification (see 10.2). This 4.1.3 Edgewise curvature (camber) if required (see 8.2),
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, 4.1.4 Type (see 3.1),
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user 4.1.5 Temper (see 7.1), and
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health 4.1.6 How furnished (coils, spools, etc.).
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
tions prior to use. 5. Materials and Manufacture
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 The molybdenum wires covered by this specification
shall be made by any appropriate process.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma- NOTE 1—It has been found that molybdenum wire made by the powder
terials metallurgy process will meet the requirements of this specification.
E315 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Molybdenum
(Withdrawn 2010)3 6. Chemical Composition
E384 Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of 6.1 Type I and Type II molybdenum wire shall conform to
Materials the chemical compositions prescribed in Table 1.
6.2 The materials shall be analyzed in accordance with Test
3. Classification Methods E315 or other appropriate ASTM methods when
3.1 Two types of molybdenum flattened wire are covered by available. Other methods, as mutually agreed upon between
this specification: seller and purchaser, may be employed.
3.1.1 Type I, UNS R03604—This type shall have the com-
position limits prescribed in Table 1. 7. Physical Properties
7.1 Temper—Material under this specification shall be sup-
plied in one of the following classifications of temper:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on 7.1.1 Hard—As-rolled, not stress-relieved, suitable for
Electronics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.03 on Metallic
Materials. spring applications, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2014. Published July 2014. Originally approved 7.1.2 Stress-Relieved— Suitable for bending or winding.
in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F364 – 96 (2009). DOI:
10.1520/F0364-96R14. 7.2 The hardness test (see 10.1) is to be used as the criterion
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or for identifying hard and stress-relieved materials in accordance
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM with Table 2.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
7.2.1 When determining microhardness using light loads,
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on the thickness and load relationships shown in Table 3 are
www.astm.org. recommended for best correlation and reproducibility.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 F364 − 96 (2014)
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition TABLE 4 Dimensional Tolerances
Composition, max, ppm Tolerance
Specified Thickness,
Element Type I Type II plus and mi-
in. (mm)
UNS R03604 UNS R03603 nus, in. (mm)

Carbon 50 15 Up to 0.0050 (0.127), incl 0.0002 (0.005)

Oxygen 80 175 Over 0.0050 to 0.0100 (0.127 to 0.254), 0.0003 (0.008)
Nitrogen 20 10 incl
Hydrogen 10 10 Over 0.0100 to 0.0200 (0.254 to 0.508), 0.0004 (0.010)
Aluminum 150 150 incl
Calcium 50 50 Over 0.0200 to 0.0300 (0.508 to 0.762), 0.0005 (0.013)
Silicon 100 350 incl
Iron 100 100 Over 0.0300 to 0.0500 (0.762 to 1.270), 0.0010 (0.025)
Tungsten 200 200 incl
Potassium 150 150 Tolerance plus
Tin 25 25 Specified Width, in. (mm) and minus, in.
(mm)
Other elements, each 50 50
Up to 0.025 (0.64), incl 0.001 (0.02)
min % by difference
Over 0.025 to 0.075 (0.64 to 1.90), incl 0.002 (0.05)
Molybdenum 99.90 99.90
Over 0.075 to 0.125 (1.90 to 3.18), incl 0.003 (0.08)
Over 0.125 (3.18) 0.005 (0.13)

TABLE 2 Hardness Ranges

Diamond Pyramid
Hardness (HDP)
Rockwell Super- scratches, seams, stains, scale, delamination, splits, slivers, or
Temper ficial Hardness any other defects not considered good commercial finish.
or Vickers Hard-
30T-Scale A
ness (HV)
Hard 300 and over 85 and over 10. Test Methods
Stress-relieved up to 300, excl up to 85, excl
A
Rockwell 30T for material 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) wide and over only.
10.1 Hardness—Hardness shall be determined in accor-
dance with Test Method E384. Recommended loads are shown
in Table 3. For material 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) wide and over,
TABLE 3 Thickness and Load for Determination of Diamond Rockwell superficial hardness may be measured in accordance
Pyramid Hardness or Vickers Hardness with Test Methods E18 as an alternative test.
Thickness, in. (mm) Load, gf 10.2 Bend and Delamination:
Less than 0.003 (0.08) 100 10.2.1 Perform the test with the wire at a temperature in the
0.003 to 0.0050 (0.08 to 0.127), incl 200
Over 0.050 to 0.100 (0.127 to 2.54), incl 500 range 65°F (18°C) to 86°F (30°C), inclusive.
Over 0.100 (2.54) 1000 10.2.2 Wind the wire in close turns on a cylindrical mandrel
whose diameter is approximately twice the thickness of the
wire. Unwind the wire in approximately the same plane as it
7.3 Bend and Delamination (Type I and Type II Wire in
was originally wound, perpendicular to the axis of the mandrel.
Stress-Relieved Temper)—In the as-received condition (no
Pull the wire to substantial straightness.
firing), this wire shall show no evidence of cracking, splitting,
10.2.3 Examine the wire visually (Note 3) for evidence of
delamination, or splintering when subjected to the bend and
cracking, splitting, delamination, and splintering.
delamination test (see 10.2).
NOTE 3—Visual examination, unaided except for normal visual correc-
7.4 Bend and Delamination (Type II Wire in Hard and tion shall be used.
Stress-Relieved Tempers)—After firing Type II material at a
temperature of 2375 6 25°F (1300 6 14°C) for at least 20 min, 11. Rejection
it shall show no evidence of cracking, splitting, delamination, 11.1 Any spool or coil not conforming to the specified
or splintering when subjected to the bend and delamination test requirements may be rejected. If 15 % or more of the spools or
(see 10.2). coils in any shipment do not conform to the specified
NOTE 2—Type II material will show little or no evidence of recrystal- requirements, the shipment does not conform to this specifica-
lization after firing as prescribed in 7.4. This may be determined by tion and will be rejected, and the supplier shall be notified
microstructural comparison of a fired and an unfired specimen, displaying within 30 days after receipt of material.
a longitudinal section, from the same spool or coil of material.
11.2 On agreement by seller and purchaser, the purchaser
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
shall return rejected material in a suitable container for
8.1 The dimensional tolerances shall be in accordance with shipping, the original if possible, so that it may arrive at the
Table 4. manufacturer’s plant in the same condition as it left.
8.2 Edgewise curvature (camber), if specified, shall be
12. Certification
measured in inches (or millimetres) per unit length and shall be
as agreed upon between purchaser and seller. 12.1 When agreed upon in writing between the purchaser
and the seller, a certification shall be made the basis of
9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance acceptance of the material. This shall consist of a copy of the
9.1 The finish of these flattened wires may be either a matte manufacturer’s test report or a statement by the seller, accom-
or shiny surface, and shall be smooth, free of dirt, oxides, pits, panied by a copy of the test results, that the material has been

2
 F364 − 96 (2014)
sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance with the provi- 13.1.6 Thickness and width of flat wire,
sions of the specification. Each certification so furnished shall 13.1.7 Shipping date, and
be signed by an authorized agent of the seller or manufacturer. 13.1.8 Inspector’s number or designation.
13. Product Marking
14. Packaging and Package Marking
13.1 Each coil or spool shall be legibly marked with the:
13.1.1 Type of material, and temper, 14.1 Packaging shall be adequate to protect coils and spools
13.1.2 Name of manufacturer, from contamination or damage during shipment.
13.1.3 Heat, lot, or manufacturer’s identification number,
13.1.4 Specification number, 15. Keywords
13.1.5 Gross, tare, and net weight or number of feet or 15.1 electron tubes; molybdenum; molybdenum flattened
metres on spool, wire; UNS R03604; UNS R03603

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