ASTM Specifications

ASTMs copyright does not allow the AGA to include full-text versions of the listed

specifications online. However, the AGA does provide a compilation of specifications

pertinent to galvanizing. Purchase a copy from AGA Publications order form, or contact your

local galvanizer.

The following is a summary of the various pertinent hot-dip galvanizing specifications.

ASTM Main Standards

ASTM Pre-Galvanizing Design Supporting Specifications

ASTM Post-Galvanizing Supporting Specifications

Other Specifications

ASTM Main Standards

ASTM A123/A123M

Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products

covers individual steel pieces as well as assemblies of various classes of material. The material

categories covered in the specification include structural steel and plate, strips and bars, pipes

and tubing, and wires. Fabrications can have more than one material category, such as a frame

assembly. Any combination of these products can be assembled into a single fabrication and

then hot-dip galvanized.

It is the responsibility of the designer and fabricator to ensure the product has been properly

designed and built before the hot-dip galvanizing process (supporting specifications). The

galvanizers responsibility is to ensure compliance with the specifications as long as the

product has been designed and fabricated in accordance with the referenced specifications.

However, if the galvanizer has to perform additional work in order to prepare the product for

hot-dip galvanizing, such as drilling holes to facilitate drainage or venting, the galvanizer will

communicate and resolve the issue with the customer.

The requirements listed in ASTM A123/A123 M include coating thickness, finish, appearance,

and adherence. The specification requirements for coating thickness only contain minimums,

there are no maximum coating thickness limitation in the specification. The finish requirement

is continuous, smooth, and uniform, while appearance requires no uncoated areas or issues that

interfere with the fabrications intended use. Finally, the adherence requirement is for the

entire coating to have a strong adherence throughout the service life of the galvanized steel.

ASTM A153/A153M

Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Hardware applies to hardware

products such as castings, fasteners, rolled, pressed, and forged products, and miscellaneous

threaded objects that will be centrifuged, spun, or otherwise handled to remove the excess

zinc. The requirements of this specification are very similar to those in A123, except for the

addition of threaded products and embrittlement requirements.

A153 requires a continuous, smooth, and uniform finish with no uncoated areas (including on

the threads) or issues that interfere with its intended use. There are coating thickness

minimums, but no maximums, and the threads are not subject to the coating thickness

requirement. The adherence requirement is the same as A123, for strong bond throughout the

life of the hot-dip galvanized steel. Finally, A153 contains information that high strength

fasteners (>150ksi) and castings can be subject to embrittlement. There are precautions

provided in ASTM A143/A143M that should be considered to prevent embrittlement, as well

as selecting steels with appropriate chemistries.

ASTM A767/A767M

Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Bars for Concrete

Reinforcement is exclusively applicable to hot-dip galvanizing of reinforcing steel bars, known

as rebar, both smooth and deformed (wire is excluded). The requirements in the specification

facilitate the production of a high-quality zinc coating, and are similar to those found in A123

and A153. The requirements for finish, appearance, and adherence are identical to those in the

other main standards. However, there are a few additional requirements for galvanized

rebar. First, the specification details the coating thickness requirements based on bar

size. Also, A767 outlines the galvanizers responsibility for consistent material tracking and

identity. Finally, there are requirements for passivating the material (chromating) to prevent

reaction between concrete and the zinc coating, and on bend diameters. Rebar is commonly

bent prior to galvanizing, and the recommendations for diameter and best practices are

provided in A767. If rebar is bent (fabricated) after the galvanized coating is applied and any

flaking or cracking occurs, it is not rejectable.

ASTM Pre-Galvanizing Design Supporting Specifications

ASTM A143/A143M

Standard Practice for Safeguarding Against Embrittlement of Hot-Dip Galvanized Structural

Steel Products and Procedure for Detecting Embrittlement covers procedures to safeguard

against the possible embrittlemnt of steel hot-dip galvanized after fabrication, as well as test

procedures for detecting embrittlement. Embrittlement is the loss or partial loss of ductility in

a steel where an embrittled product characteristically fails by fracture without appreciable

deformation. Types of embrittlement commonly encountered with galvanized steel are related

to aging phenomena, cold working and absorption of hydrogen. The design of the product and

selection of proper steel for its suitability to withstand normal galvanizing operations is the

responsibility of the designer and fabricator.

ASTM A384/A384 M

Standard Practice for Safeguarding Against Warpage and Distortion During Hot-Dip

Galvanizing of Steel Assemblies details best design practices to avoid warpage and distortion

during the hot-dip galvanizing process. Common distorted and warped members of assemblies

are sheets or plates assembled by welding or riveting. The following can cause warpage and

distortion: use of nonsymmetrical sections such as channels; use of checkered plate; not

properly vented overlapping joint for two pieces of steel; and too large assembly for a

particular galvanizing kettle.

ASTM A385/A385 M

Standard Practice for Providing High-Quality Zinc Coatings (Hot-Dip) provides details on

steel selection and other design practices such as venting and draining, welding, etc. to ensure

the best quality product after galvanizing. Assemblies should consist of elements of similar

chemistry and surface condition. Whenever different analyses of steel or different surfaces of

steel are united in an assembly the galvanized finish is not generally uniform in appearance.

All fabricated assemblies shall be designed with vent and drain holes such that no air is trapped

during immersion of the assemblies into cleaning solutions or molten zinc.

ASTM A1068

Standard Practice for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Corrosion Protection Systems on Iron and

Steel Products provides the equation and technology to perform a life-cycle cost (LCC)

analysis of various corrosion protection systems. The LCC analysis considers not only the

initial cost of the system, but also the future costs (maintenance, replacement, etc.) The

purpose of the calculation is to provide justification of the purchase of a higher initial cost

system with a low life-cycle cost over an initially less expensive coating which has high future

costs.

ASTM Post-Galvanizing Supporting Specifications

ASTM A780

Practice for Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of HOt-Dip Galvanized Coatings covers

appropriate methods used to repair damaged hot-dip galvanizedcoatings on hardware,

structural shapes, and other hot-dip galvanized products, including uncoated areas remaining

after initial hot-dip galvanizing. Requirements concerning the renovation of uncoated areas after initial hot-dip galvanizing are contained within the material specifications (A123, A153,

A767). The specification outlines three acceptable forms of touch-up: zinc-based solders, zinc-

rich paints, and metallizing, as well as the required coating thickness of the repair.

ASTM D6386

Practice for Preparation of Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coated Iron and Steel Product and

Hardware Surfaces for Painting. See Specifying Duplex Systems for more information.

ASTM D7803

Practice for Preparation of Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coated Iron and Steel Product and

Hardware Surfaces for Powder Coating. See Specifying Duplex Systems for more

information.

ASTM E376

Standard Practice for Measuring Coating Thickness by Magnetic-Field or Eddy-Current

(Electromagnetic) Examination Methods. Eddy-current-type thickness measurement is a non-

destructive test measuring variations in impedance of an eddy-current inducing coil caused by

coating thickness variations. They can only be used if the electrical conductivity of the coating

differs significantly from that of the substrate.

Other Related Specifications

ASTM A36

Specification for Structural Steel. This specification covers carbon structural steel shapes,

plates, and bars of structural quality for use in riveted, bolted, or welded construction of

bridges and buildings, and for general structural purposes.

ASTM A500

Specification for Cold-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing in

Rounds and Shapes. This specification covers cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel

round, square, rectangular, or special shape structural tubing for welded, riveted, or bolted

construction of bridges and buildings, and for general structural purposes. This tubing shall be

produced in both welded and seamless sizes and must have the chemical requirements of

carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper.

ASTM A501

Specification for Hot-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing. This

specification covers black and hot-dipped galvanized hot-formed welded and seamless carbon

steel square, round, rectangular, or special shape structural tubing for welded, riveted, or bolted

construction or bridges and buildings, and for general structural purposes.

ASTM A563

Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts. This specification covers the

chemical, mechanical, and dimensional requirements for eight grades (Grades O, A, B, C, D,

DH, C3, and DH3) of carbon and alloy steel nuts for general structural and mechanical uses on

bolts, studs, and other externally threaded parts. Steel materials and nuts shall be

manufactured, processed, and formed as appropriate for their respective grades.

ASTM A572

Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Steels of Structural

Quality. This specifiation covers the standard requirements for Grades 42, 50, 55, 60, and

65, of high-strength low-alloy columbium-vanadium structural steel shapes, plates, sheet

piling, and bars for applications in bolted, welded, and riveted structures in bridges and

buildings. It may also be known by its trade name, e.g. Exten (USS0

ASTM A944

Standard Test Method for Comparing Bond Strength of Steel Reinforcing Bars to Concrete

Using Beam-End Specimens. This test method deals with the standard procedures for

establishing the relative bond strength of steel reinforcing bars in concrete using beam-end

specimens. This test method shall determine the effects of surface preparation or condition

(such as bar coatings) on the bond strength of deformed steel reinforcing bars to concrete.

ASTM A992

Specifications for Steel Structural Shapes for Use in Building Framing. This specification

covers rolled steel structural shapes for use in building framing or bridges, or for general

structural purposes. Heat analysis shall be used to determine the percentage of carbon,

manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, vanadium, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, columbium, and

copper for the required chemical composition.

ASTM B6

Standard Specifcation for Zinc. This specification covers zinc metal made from ore or other

material by a process of distillation or by electrolysis in five grades as follows: LME grade,

special high grade, high grade, intermediate grade, and prime western grade.

ASTM B201

Standard Practice for Testing Chromate Coatings on Zinc and Cadmium Surfaces. This

practice is applicable to chromate coatings of the colorless (both one and two-dip), iridescent

yellow or bronze, olive drab, black, colorless anodic, yellow or black anodic types, and of the

dyed variety, when applied to surfaces of electrodeposited zinc, mechanically deposited zinc,

hot-dipped zinc, rolled zinc, electrodeposited cadmium, or mechanically deposited coatings.

ASTM B960

Specification for Prime Western Grade-Recycled Zinc. This specification covers prime

western grade-recycled (PWG-R) zinc made by recycling zinc secondary materials including

but not limited to drosses and skimmings.

ASTM F2329

Standard Specification for Zinc Coating, Hot-Dip, Requirements for Application to Carbon

and Alloy Steel Bolts, Screws, Washers, Nuts, and Special Threaded Fasteners. This

specification covers the requirements for hot-dip zinc coating applied to carbon steel and alloy

steel bolts, screws, washers, nuts, and special threaded fasteners applied by the hot-dip coating

process.