en Gruppenstandard

Step-down test S 266012-4

ICS 19.020 2006-02-14

Descriptors: SEP 1580, step-down test, non-metallic inclusions

Stufendrehversuch

Deskriptoren: SEP 1580, Stufendrehversuch, nichtmetallische Einschlüsse

Supersedes
INA QN 5.18-2
FAG QV 5.108C
LuK -

Previous editions
INA QN 5.18-2: 2002-07, 1997-11
FAG QV 5.108C: 1992-06

Revisions
Compared to the editions above, the following revisions have been made:
Layout
Elevation to Group Standard

Continued on pp. 2 - 3
Preparing department: Approval Schaeffler KG: Approval LuK:
Häring, Wolfgang ST/HZA-TMWL Süß, Walter SZ/HZA-Q Fasse, Ernst LZ/BHL-Q

Kleinert, Simone ST/HZA-TMWL Dr. Golüke, Horst SI/SWE-Q

Rösch, Oliver ST/SWE-TMWL

Documentation: Check coordination Schaeffler KG: Check coordination LuK:

Braungardt, Marion SZ/HZA-QPS Dr. Welker, Manfred ST/HZA-TMW Calabrese, Carmelo LZ/BHL-QS

Eckert, Gerhard SZ/HZA-QP

Wessel, Frank- ST/SWE-RBS

Michael

Binder S
Section 266

© Schaeffler KG, 2006

All rights reserved. Reproducing or distributing this document, or using or conveying its contents to third parties without the express written consent of the issuing department
is prohibited. Violators are liable for compensatory damage payments.
In case of doubt, the German-language original should be consulted as the authoritative text.
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S 266012-4:2006-02-14

Contents:

1 Purpose and scope of the test ................................................................................................................ 2

2 Objectives and purpose........................................................................................................................... 2
3 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
4 Area of application ................................................................................................................................... 2
5 Document responsibility.......................................................................................................................... 2
6 Description of the test method................................................................................................................ 2
6.1 Sample products......................................................................................................................................... 2
6.2 Taking and preparing samples ................................................................................................................... 2
7 Evaluation.................................................................................................................................................. 3
7.1 General ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
7.2 Permissible limit values .............................................................................................................................. 3

1 Purpose and scope of the test

The step-down test is intended to provide an overview of any non-metallic inclusions of macroscopic size (length
≥ 0,5 mm) which may be present in the cross-section of steel products.

2 Objectives and purpose

Uniform procedure for determining and assessing the macroscopic purity level using the step-down test

3 Scope
The organisational scope applies to the Schaeffler Group worldwide.

4 Area of application
This Group standard (S) applies to the assessment of the macroscopic purity level of steels using a destructive test
method.

5 Document responsibility
Central Materials Technology

6 Description of the test method

6.1 Sample products

Cylindrical sections of different diameters are obtained from sample products by turning. Any non-metallic
inclusions visible to the naked eye are then determined by reference to their overall length and quantity. To make it
easier and quicker to detect the non-metallic inclusions, the sample can be subjected briefly to an electrical current
before the evaluation and the surfaces to be examined can be coated with a magnetic powder in suspension
(fluxing).

6.2 Taking and preparing samples

At least 3 samples are taken from each melt. The samples should be from different identifying sections – where
possible from the start, the middle and the end.

The samples are turned down to sections having diameters of 90%, 70% and 50% of the initial wall thickness (in
the case of tubes) or the initial diameter (in the case of bars). The lengths of the sections should be such that the
sections have the same overall surface areas of 100 cm . Table 1 in SEP 1580 shows the length of the turned
2

sections for this surface area, over a range of conventional initial dimensions. If agreed upon with Schaeffler
Materials Technology, other test pieces may be used, e.g. 5 step bar, 200 mm long, with 1 mm steps.

Due to material consumption, the aim should always be to take as short a length as possible for each section.
Furthermore, consideration should be given as to whether the individual sections can be turned and tested one
after another (the overall length of the sample needs then to be only the length of one individual section, or at most
the length of the longest section).
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S 266012-4: 2006-02-14

7 Evaluation

7.1 General
The surfaces of the clean, turned sample sections should be marked with lines, to make it easier to carry out the
evaluation and to prevent them from being counted twice. The non-metallic inclusions which are detected can be
identified with a felt-tip pen.

For evaluation purposes, the pieces of non-metallic inclusions which are visible to the naked eye as having a length
of at least 0,5 mm are divided into five groups:

Length group for inclusions [mm] Length index (relates more or less to
mean size)
0,5 ...1,5 1
1,5 ... 2,5 2
2,5 ... 5,0 4
5,0 ... 10,0 8
> 10,00 16

The number of non-metallic inclusions detected on all external surfaces of the turned sections per "length group” is
multiplied by the corresponding length index in the above table and the products are added together.
The result is a characteristic value which relates approximately to the total length of all the inclusions.
Alternatively, the actual lengths of all defects can be added together to give a total length.

The mean figure in each case for the total number and total length of non-metallic inclusions for all the turned
sections is then the characteristic value for the melt.
Dimension: length/surface area unit: [mm/m ]
2

7.2 Permissible limit values

The limit values are listed by material type in the respective product delivery conditions (TL/S).

Other applicable standards, standards cited and documents

SEP1580

Translated by:
INA Bearing Company Ltd., Sutton Coldfield, Translation Office
The latest German-language version of this standard will always be taken as authoritative.