ASTM B48-00 (2021)e1 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM B48-00(2021)e1 — Standard Specification for Soft Rectangular and Square Bare Copper Wire for Electrical Conductors. This specification covers soft (annealed) bare copper wire in rectangular or square cross section with rounded corners, intended for electrical conductor applications and classified into Type A and Type B according to bending application requirements.

Abstract

Brief specification that defines material, form, classification, and basic processing and testing expectations for soft rectangular and square bare copper wire used as electrical conductors. It requires annealing after final sizing, limits on joints, classification into Type A (general applications) and Type B (edgewise bending applications), and uses inch‑pound units as the referee system (SI conversions provided for information). Table corrections were made editorially in October 2021 (e1).

General information

• Status: Active — B48-00 reapproved 2021 with editorial change (e1).
• Publication date: 1 October 2021 (reapproval date/issue showing e1 editorial correction October 2021).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: Electrical wires and cables (ICS 29.060) and copper products (ICS 77.150.30) — applicable classification areas for this wire specification.
• Edition / version: B48-00 (Reapproved 2021) superscript e1 (editorial correction).
• Number of pages: 6 pages (concise specification document).

Scope

The standard applies to soft or annealed bare copper wire produced in rectangular or square shapes with rounded corners. It addresses classification (Type A for general uses; Type B for applications involving edgewise bending), acceptable dimensional ranges (including limits on extreme width:thickness ratios for Type B), annealing requirements after final drawing/rolling, and the expectation of a clean, uniformly soft finished product without joints except those that have passed through drawing dies. Inch‑pound units are the referee units except where noted.

Key topics and requirements

• Material: soft (annealed) bare copper suitable for electrical conductors.
• Forms: rectangular and square cross sections with rounded corners; dimensional and shape tolerances specified.
• Classification: Type A (general applications) and Type B (edgewise bending); limitations on thickness and width:thickness ratios for Type B.
• Processing: annealed after the last drawing or rolling to produce a uniformly soft product; finished wire to be free of unacceptable joints.
• Referenced test methods: stiffness test for square/rectangular wire (B279), tensile testing (E8/E8M), resistivity/resistance tests and other referenced ASTM/NIST documents for verification.
• Units and measurement: inch‑pound units are primary; SI conversions included for information only (except as noted in specified sections).

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of rectangular and square copper conductors, magnet‑wire and coil fabricators, electrical equipment and component producers (transformers, motors, inductors), procurement and specification engineers, and testing/quality laboratories that verify mechanical and electrical properties for conductor applications.

Related standards

Standards referenced or commonly associated with ASTM B48 include ASTM B279 (stiffness of bare soft square and rectangular copper and aluminum wire), ASTM B193 (resistivity of electrical conductor materials), ASTM E8/E8M (tension testing of metallic materials), ASTM E29 (use of significant digits), and industry tables/handbooks such as NIST/NBS copper wire tables. Practitioners often consult related copper‑wire and conductor standards and regional wire specifications for dimensional and compositional alignment.

Keywords

ASTM B48, soft copper wire, rectangular copper wire, square copper wire, bare conductor, annealed copper, Type A, Type B, electrical conductors, wire stiffness, conductor resistivity.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B48-00(2021)e1 is the ASTM standard specification that defines requirements for soft (annealed) rectangular and square bare copper wire intended for electrical conductor uses.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers shape and form (rectangular/square with rounded corners), material condition (soft/annealed), classification into Type A and Type B (based on bending use), processing requirements (annealing after final sizing), limits on joints, units of measure, and references to relevant test methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Wire and conductor manufacturers, magnet wire/coil fabricators, electrical equipment makers (motors, transformers), procurement/specification engineers, and test/quality labs. This standard helps ensure consistent conductor form and performance for electrical applications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is the B48-00 designation reapproved in 2021 with an editorial correction noted as e1 (October 2021). Users should confirm with ASTM or their standards custodian for any amendments or newer revisions beyond the 2021 reapproval.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM’s wire and conductor suite of standards and commonly used alongside other ASTM ASTM B‑series and test‑method standards that address rod, wire, resistivity, stiffness, and mechanical testing for copper conductors. Specific cross‑references appear in the standard’s referenced documents section.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Soft/annealed copper, rectangular wire, square wire, electrical conductor, Type A, Type B, annealing, stiffness testing, resistivity, ASTM B48.