1.1 This specification covers untreated and heat-treated carbon and alloy steel forgings for general industrial use. Other ASTM specifications for forgings are available for specific applications such as pressure vessels, railroad use, turbine generators, gearing, and others involving special temperature requirements.

1.2 Hot-rolled or cold finished bars are not within the scope of this specification.

1.3 Six classes of carbon steel and seven classes of alloy steel forgings are listed (see Section 7), which indicates their required heat treatments, as well as mechanical properties.

1.4 Provision, with the suffix H for certification and marking, for the supply of forgings after hardness testing only.

1.5 Supplementary requirements, including those in Specification A788/A788M, of an optional nature are provided. These shall apply only when specified by the purchaser.

1.6 Appendix X1 lists the current classes corresponding to the various classes of Specifications A235, A237, and A243, which have been superseded by this specification.

1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard; within the text and tables, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.8 Unless the order specifies the applicable "M" specification, the forgings shall be furnished to the inch-pound units.

1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.