Physical Properties and Methods of Test For Some 

 Sheet Non-Ferrous Metals 



By J. R. TOWNSEND and W. A. STRAW 



This paper covers an investigation which was undertaken to secure a 

 simple and reliable method of test for sheet non-ferrous metals. An 

 account of the early development work leading to the adoption of the 

 Rockwell hardness tester for a preliminary inspection of sheet metals and 

 the tensile test as the basic test to be referred to in case the Rockwell test 

 results were near to or outside the established Rockwell limits for a given 

 lot of material was published in 1927. ^ The continuation of this work 

 including establishment of test limits for four grades of brass and for 

 two grades each of nickel silver and phosphor bronze will be published this 

 year.2 



This present paper describes the development work reported by these two 

 papers. 



Considerable attention has been given to the Rockwell tester, which, 

 as a result of this work, has been found satisfactory for use as a specification 

 instrument for brasses 0.020 in. and thicker, when used under standardized 

 methods of test and calibrated with standard test blocks. Other tests such 

 as the bend test, ductility test and other hardness tests have been studied 

 but further development work is necessary. 



The Rockwell hardness and tensile strength limits are given for four 

 alloys of brass, and two alloys each of nickel silver and phosphor bronze. 

 The physical properties of the rolling series upon which these limits were 

 based are presented as well as experience data obtained on shipments of 

 commercial material. The limits for brass alloys A, B and E are considered 

 final, but the limits for the other metals are tentative until more complete 

 experience is available. 



Grain size limits are given for annealed brass and nickel silver sheet. 

 For inspection pui poses the grain size is estimated by comparison with the 

 standard photomicrographs reproduced in the 1929 report of Committee 

 E4 of the A. S. T. M. on Metallography. 



Refinements in the calibration of the Rockwell tester are given, as 

 well as the development of testing technique. An experimental model 

 of a motor-driven bend test machine is described. 



THE investigation which this paper covers was undertaken because 

 of the need for a simple method of test which would afford a 

 more definite determination of the properties of thin-sheet non-ferrous 

 metals than any which has yet been developed. Large quantities of 



1" Physical Properties and Methods of Test for Sheet Brass," by H. N. Van 

 Deusen, L. I. Shaw, and C. H. Davis, Proceedings of the American Society for Testing 

 Materials, 1927. 



In addition to the authors the following took an important part in the investi- 

 gational work. Messrs. H, N. Van Deusen C. H. Greenall and W. S. Hayford, of the 

 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Messrs. W. H. Bassett, R. M. Tree, Alden Merrill and G. 

 S. Mallett of the American Brass Co., and Messrs. L. I. Shaw, M. D. Helfrick 

 H. F. Culver and G. R. Brown of the Western Electric Co. Messrs. N. E. Newton 

 and W. H. Eastlake of the Northern Electric Co., Montreal, participated in the 

 conferences which were held as the work progressed. 



2 "Physical Properties and Methods of Test for Sheet Non-Ferrous Metals," 

 by J. R. Townsend, W. A. Straw and C. H. Davis, presented before A. S. T. M., 

 June 1929. 



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