ASTM B 498/B 498M

This specification covers round, zinc-coated (galvanized), steel core wire with three classes of zinc coating used for mechanical reinforcement in the manufacture of aluminum conductors, steel-reinforced (ACSR). The wire is furnished in three classes of coating, namely: Class A, Class B, and Class C. The base metal shall be steel produced by the open-hearth, electric-furnace, or basic-oxygen process. The wire shall be cold drawn and coated with zinc to produce the desired properties and the the slab zinc used for coating shall be high-grade or better. The steel shall conform to the chemical composition requirements prescribed for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon, as determined by chemical analysis. The following tests shall be performed: (1) tensile test to determine the mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and stress at extension, (2) wrap test, (3) coating test to determine conformity to the specified diameter and area density requirements, and (4) coating adherence test. Requirements for joints which may be made by electric butt-weld or flash-welding are detailed. The density and resistivity of galvanized steel wire are prescribed for the purposes of calculating mass per unit length, cross-sections, and so forth.