scope:

This specification provides a means of specifying the surface metallurgical quality, as related to grinding temper of steel parts, primarily heat treated parts such as gears, bearings and crankshafts. It is intended to be used at the discretion of the design and materials engineers in applications acknowledged to be sensitive to material alterations resulting from grinding temper. It should not be used indiscriminately for all ground parts. Test methods for evaluating this quality are also included. These methods are not intended for use on ground parts that have been hardened through the use of nitrogen-rich atmospheres.