On February 28, 1991, the U.S. Army cancelled Federal Specification QQ-B-626, Brass, Leaded and Nonleaded: Rod, Shapes, Forgings, and Flat Products with Finished Edges (Bar and Strip). They recommended ASTM standards as replacements.

The federal specification covered binary brass and leaded brass alloys in rods, shapes, forgings and flat products used in ammunition shell casings and other applications, according to Douglas A. Bain, technical manager, Ansonia Copper and Brass Inc, Ansonia, Conn.

In their cancellation notice, the Army referenced the following ASTM standards developed by ASTM Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys:

• B 36/B 36M, Standard Specification for Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, And Rolled Bar;
• B 121/B 121M, Standard Specification for Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar;
• B 16M, Standard Specification for Free-Cutting Brass Rod, Bar, and Shapes for Use in Screw Machines [Metric] (Discontinued 2000), Replaced By B 16/B 16M;
• B 16/B 16M, Standard Specification for Free-Cutting Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes for Use in Screw Machines;
• B 124M, Standard Specification for Copper and Copper Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes [Metric] (Discontinued 2000), Replaced By B 124/B 124M;
• B 15, Standard Specification for Copper and Copper-Based Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes (Discontinued 1939), Replaced By B 124/B 124M; and
• B 124/B 124M, Standard Specification for Copper and Copper Alloy Forging Rod, Bar, and Shapes.

“Alloys to be included are C21000, C22000, C23000, C24000, C26000, and C26800 in rod and bar sizes up 4.250 inches in diameter,” says Bain.

“The above listed ASTM standard specifications do not cover in particular alloys C26000 and C26800 in rod and bar,” he explains. “As there continues to be a significant commerce in these products, a new product specification for Brass Rod, Bar and Shapes has been proposed in Subcommittee B05.02, Task Group 238D.” Bain is chairman of the task group.

The task group welcomes participation in this activity. To participate or comment, contact Douglas A. Bain, Ansonia Copper and Brass Inc, Ansonia, Conn. (phone: 203/732-6646). Committee B05 meets Oct. 14-16 in Norfolk, Va. For meeting or membership details, contact Bruce Noe, manager, ASTM Technical Committee Operations (phone: 610/832-9719). //

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