GOST 8233-56 PDF

Full title and description

ГОСТ 8233-56 — "Сталь. Эталоны микроструктуры" (English title: "Steel. Microstructure standards"). The standard defines reference scales and visual etalons for assessing principal microstructural constituents of steels (pearlite, martensite, nitrides, carbides) for metallographic examination and quality control.

Abstract

GOST 8233-56 establishes standardized microstructure etalons (reference scales) and basic rules for preparation and evaluation of metallographic samples of steel. It provides scales and visual references for the main structural components (pearlite, martensite, nitride and carbide precipitates), together with general sampling and specimen-preparation guidance to ensure consistent microscopic assessment across laboratories and production sites.

General information

• Status: Active (действует).
• Publication date: Introduced 01 July 1957 (approved 26 November 1956).
• Publisher: Approved by the Committee of Standards (Gosstandart USSR); published by the Standards Publishing (Издательство стандартов).
• ICS / categories: Metallurgy — steels; ICS / OKS classification: 77.080.20 (steels).
• Edition / version: Original standard 1956/1957; reprinted (reissue) March 2004; corrigenda and updates have been recorded in later catalogs.
• Number of pages: Approximately 12 pages (typical commercial/published copy length).

Scope

This standard applies to metallographic evaluation of steels and establishes visual etalons (reference scales) for the principal microstructural constituents: pearlite, martensite and precipitated nitrides and carbides. It also provides general requirements on sample selection, specimen size and placement for microscopic examination (guidance on cut-out specimen size and sampling locations is included in the general provisions). The standard is intended for use in production control, inspection and laboratory metallography of ferrous materials.

Key topics and requirements

• Reference scales (etalons) for pearlite — defining visual degrees/levels used to estimate pearlite content and distribution.
• Reference scales for martensite morphology and relative amount.
• Etalons for nitride and carbide precipitates (appearance, scale and relative dispersion).
• Basic specimen sampling and preparation guidance (recommended specimen size and number of samples depending on part size and manufacture method).
• Use of metallographic microscopy and comparison to visual etalons for standardized assessment and reporting of microstructure.

Typical use and users

Used by metallurgists, quality control and inspection laboratories, heat‑treatment shops, research and development laboratories, academic metallography courses, and steel producers for standardized microscopic assessment of steel microstructure and for production/acceptance testing and documentation.

Related standards

Complementary standards include other GOST/GOST‑R and ISO documents on metallographic preparation and examination, sampling, chemical analysis and mechanical testing of steels (standards covering specimen preparation, etching, microscopy techniques, hardness tests and sampling rules). Users typically apply GOST 8233-56 together with applicable GOSTs for sampling, etching reagents and test methods in the metallurgical product family.

Keywords

steel, microstructure, metallography, etalons, reference scales, pearlite, martensite, nitrides, carbides, GOST 8233-56

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 8233-56 is the national (interstate) standard titled "Сталь. Эталоны микроструктуры" (Steel. Microstructure standards) that defines reference microstructure etalons and basic metallographic assessment rules for steels.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers visual reference scales (etalons) and guidance for identifying and estimating the main microstructural constituents in steels—primarily pearlite, martensite and nitride/carbide precipitates—and provides general specimen sampling and preparation guidance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Metallurgists, inspection and quality‑control laboratories, steel manufacturers, heat‑treatment facilities, research labs and educators in metallography use this standard to harmonize microscopic evaluation and reporting.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The standard is recorded as active (действует) in current GOST catalogs and has been reissued/reprinted (notably in 2004); corrigenda/updates are tracked in national catalogs. It has not been broadly superseded and remains the reference for microstructure etalons for steels.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It belongs to the metallurgy group of national standards (group В09 / ICS 77.080.20) and is used alongside other GOSTs on steel testing, sampling, and metallography as part of the broader suite of standards for ferrous materials.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Steel, microstructure, metallography, etalons, pearlite, martensite, nitrides, carbides, reference scales, quality control.