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    ASTM A638 Grade 660 — A286 Forgings

    ASTM A638 grade 660 is the canonical industrial spec for A286 (UNS S66286) forgings — covers the alloy in forged condition for high-temperature pressure-bearing service. Two types: Type 1 (sol 1650 °F + aged, higher room-temperature tensile) and Type 2 (sol 1800 °F + aged, higher stress-rupture strength). The spec is referenced in ASME Section III Subsection NB for nuclear pressure-vessel components, and in petrochemical / refinery forgings for high-temperature service. Distinguished from ASTM A453 grade 660 by scope: A453 is bolting; A638 is forgings. See parent A286 AMS specifications hub, related A286 forged bar, A286 forgings, flanges.

    Spec Scope & Coverage

    ASTM A638 grade 660 covers A286 forgings for high-temperature pressure-bearing service. Material is VIM-VAR melted ingot, hot-forged in open-die or closed-die operation at 1095-1150 °C, then heat-treated per Type 1 or Type 2. Type 1: sol 1650 °F + aged 1325 °F × 16 h, hardness 29-32 HRC, higher room-temperature yield. Type 2: sol 1800 °F + aged 1325 °F × 16 h, hardness 24-30 HRC, higher stress-rupture strength at 1100-1300 °F. Used for nuclear pressure-vessel internals, petrochemical forgings, and gas-turbine casing forgings.

    A286 Chemical Composition (UNS S66286)

    ElementMin %Max %Notes
    Iron (Fe)BalanceBalance~53 % typical
    Nickel (Ni)24.027.0Solid-solution stabilizer
    Chromium (Cr)13.516.0Corrosion + oxidation resistance
    Titanium (Ti)1.902.35Gamma-prime former (Ni3Ti)
    Molybdenum (Mo)1.001.50Solid-solution strengthener
    Vanadium (V)0.100.50Carbide stabilizer
    Aluminium (Al)00.35Gamma-prime former (Ni3Al)
    Boron (B)0.0010.010Grain-boundary strengthening
    Carbon (C)00.08Per ASTM A453
    Manganese (Mn)02.00Per ASTM A453
    Silicon (Si)01.00Per ASTM A453
    Phosphorus (P)00.025Trace impurity
    Sulphur (S)00.015Trace impurity

    ASTM A638 Grade 660 — A286 Forgings — Spec Requirements

    TypeHeat treatmentTensile MPaYield MPaHardness HRCBest for
    Type 1Sol 1650 °F + aged 1325 °F × 16 h≥ 895≥ 65529-32Higher RT tensile + yield. Lower stress-rupture vs Type 2.
    Type 2Sol 1800 °F + aged 1325 °F × 16 h≥ 895≥ 58524-30Higher stress-rupture strength at 1100-1300 °F.

    When to Specify ASTM A638 Grade 660 — A286 Forgings

    • Nuclear pressure-vessel forgings: ASTM A638 grade 660 Type 1 — accepted in ASME Section III Subsection NB. Used for control-rod-drive housings, primary-coolant-pump casings.
    • Aerospace forgings (alternate): AMS 5731 / 5732 typically cited for aerospace; ASTM A638 acceptable as alternate.
    • Petrochemical / refinery forgings: ASTM A638 grade 660 Type 2 for hot-section refinery forgings (1100-1300 °F service). Higher stress-rupture strength.
    • Gas-turbine casing forgings: Type 1 or Type 2 — Type 1 for casing-split bolted joints; Type 2 for hot-section structural forgings.
    • Forged flange manufacture: A286 flanges per ASME B16.5 are typically forged from ASTM A638 grade 660 Type 1 stock.

    ASTM A638 Grade 660 — A286 Forgings — Frequently Asked Questions

    What is ASTM A638 grade 660?

    ASTM industrial spec for A286 (UNS S66286) forgings for high-temperature pressure-bearing service. Type 1: sol 1650 °F + aged (higher RT tensile). Type 2: sol 1800 °F + aged (higher stress-rupture strength). Nuclear and petrochemical pressure-vessel forgings.

    Type 1 vs Type 2 — which to specify?

    Type 1: higher room-temperature yield (655 MPa vs 585 MPa Type 2). Type 2: higher stress-rupture strength at 1100-1300 °F. Choose Type 1 for room-temperature high-load service; Type 2 for hot-section stress-rupture-critical.

    Is ASTM A638 grade 660 the same as ASTM A453 grade 660?

    Different scope: A638 is forgings; A453 is bolting. Chemistry identical (UNS S66286). Heat-treatment requirements similar but the spec applies to different forms — pressure-bearing forgings vs bolted-joint fasteners.

    Is ASTM A638 grade 660 ASME III nuclear-acceptable?

    Yes — Type 1 is accepted in ASME Section III Subsection NB for primary-pressure-bearing nuclear forgings. Used for control-rod-drive housings, primary-coolant-pump casings, pressuriser bolted-flange forgings.

    What forging route is used for ASTM A638?

    Open-die forging from VIM-VAR ingot at 1095-1150 °C — provides superior grain-flow continuity and isotropic mechanical properties vs hot-rolled. Closed-die for higher-volume standard sizes.

    Can ASTM A638 grade 660 forgings be NACE MR0175 compliant?

    Yes — when supplied with hardness ≤ HRC 35 per NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-3. Specify on PO; each heat receives Vickers traverse before release.

    What's the lead time on ASTM A638 forgings?

    Standard sizes 75-150 mm: 12-16 weeks from heat release. Larger sizes 150-300 mm: 16-24 weeks. ASME III certified with EN 10204 3.2 third-party witness: 16-24 weeks. Custom sizes > 300 mm: 20-32 weeks.

    Is ASTM A638 grade 660 ultrasonically inspected?

    Yes — 100 % UT per ASTM A388 with Class 1 acceptance for nuclear and aerospace lots. Internal flaw detection critical for forging-grade applications. Class 2 acceptance for industrial.

    Is ASTM A638 magnetic?

    No. Magnetic permeability < 1.005 verified per ASTM A342. Compatible with non-magnetic pressure-vessel and aerospace forging applications.

    Mechanical Properties per This Spec

    TypeTensile (MPa)Yield (MPa)Hardness HRC
    Type 1 (Sol 1650 °F + aged)≥ 895≥ 65529-32
    Type 2 (Sol 1800 °F + aged)≥ 895≥ 58524-30

    A286 Products Manufactured per This Spec

    TorqBolt manufactures the following A286 products to this specification:

    Mating & Related Specifications

    Common mating and related A286 specifications used alongside this spec:

    Drawing Call-Out Example

    A286 forged bar, ASTM A638 grade 660 Type 1, sol-treated and aged, ⌀ 150 mm × 3000 mm length, +5/-0 mm OD tolerance, ASTM A388 ultrasonic Class 1, EN 10204 3.2.

    Related A286 Specifications & Reference

    Other A286 specifications: AMS / ASTM hub · AMS 5525 · AMS 5731 · AMS 5732 · AMS 5737 · AMS 5853 · AMS 5895 · ASTM A453 grade 660 · ASTM A638 grade 660 · ASTM B637 · DIN 1.4980 · UNS S66286.

    Canonical A286 reference: A286 chemical composition · A286 mechanical properties · A286 heat treatment · alloy comparisons (vs Inconel 718 · vs Waspaloy).