Cast Steel Properties Dear Sir: The grade of ASTM A1478 you mention would typically have a microstructure of pearlite in ferrite. It is difficult to tell if it would develop a martensitic structure on heat treating as A148 does not specify the chemistry of the various grades. Hope this helps! David Hendrix The Hendrix Group Inc.

Hi Hendrix, Actually, as you said, ASTM does not specify the chemical composition of this cast steel, but only gives the final mechanical properties that it should have. I think that means that you are free to choose a chemical composition and a heat treatment that, in combination, give the final mechanical properties specified. For instance, we can choose a cast steel with low carbon content and temper or a high carbon content and anneal and, if the final properties are according the specified, both steels can be considered A 148 Gr 80-50. Is this correct? Thank you Luiz