1.1 This specification covers carbon steel flat wire in coils or cut lengths. Flat wire is classified as a cold-rolled section, rectangular in shape, 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) or less in width and under 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) in thickness.

1.2 Low-carbon steel flat wire is produced from steel compositions with a maximum carbon content of 0.25% by cast or heat analysis.

1.3 Carbon spring steel flat wire is produced to a carbon range in which the specified or required maximum is over 0.25% by cast or heat analysis.

1.3.1 Two types of carbon spring steel flat wire are produced:

1.3.1.1 Untempered cold-rolled carbon spring steel flat wire, produced to several desirable combinations of properties and

1.3.1.2 Hardened and tempered carbon spring steel wire.

1.4 Definite application flat wire is a product developed for a specific application and may be specified only by size and descriptive name.