Specifications Committee

Issues arising out of the application of steel and high alloy casting specifications, including the drafting of suggested new or revised standard specifications, are submitted to the SFSA Specifications Committee for such action as it may deem necessary or helpful.

The SFSA Vice President of Technology, the Committee Chairman, represent the Society on all matters concerning specifications relating to steel and high alloy casting production before national and international specification writing bodies.

Specifications Committee activities include the following:

  1. Preparation of purchase specifications covering raw materials used by the foundry industry.
  2. Assisting in the preparation of specifications and recommended practices requested by other groups such as ASTM, ISO, government, etc.
  3. Continual revision of the SFSA Summary of Standard Specifications for Steel Castings.
  4. Assisting in the revision of standard ISO and ASTM specifications and the distribution of all amendments.
  5. Maintain awareness of specifications of interest to static and centrifugal cast steel and high alloy producers.

Carbon & Low Alloy Research and High Alloy Research Committees

The are two Technical Research Committees:

  • Research into carbon & low alloy steel casting technology is overseen by the Carbon & Low Alloy Research Committee.
  • Research into high alloy steel casting technology is overseen by the High Alloy Research Committee.

Research may be conducted as recommended by the committees:

  1. by individual member companies,
  2. by two or more member companies in cooperation, or
  3. by universities or other institutions having adequate research facilities for the projects assigned to them.

The committees, in cooperation with the Vice President-Technology, control and supervise the conduct of research projects and publish Research Reports to SFSA members.

Marketing Committee

The function of the Marketing Committee is to promote the use of steel castings by publicizing their properties and applications. The objective of this program is to broaden the market for the products of the Industry by bringing the advantages of steel castings to the attention of all levels of present and prospective consumers in an effective manner.

To carry out its mission, the committee maintains liaison with other committees of the Society through the staff, and directs the preparation of publicity material relating to technical information of interest to consumers. The committee also performs related market research to help guide the work of the Society and prepares an annual forecast of steel casting demand each year.

The committee is generally made up of about 15 members selected from member companies without regard to geographical location. Committee members are engaged in sales or marketing activities in their own companies and provide a balance among heat resistant, corrosion resistant, and carbon and low alloy casting producers.

All appointments are made by the Board of Directors. The Executive Vice President serves as Secretary to the committee.

The committee meets at least twice each year at times and places selected by the Chairman.

Technical & Operating Committee

The function of the committee is to promote improvement in the science of producing castings, and in the exercise of this function, the committee:

  1. Develops and disseminates to the industry information with respect to improvements in metallurgical and operating methods and practices.
  2. Promotes consideration and investigation by members of the Society and the industry, individually and collectively, with respect to questions pertinent to the development of improved production methods, new products and improved quality of existing products.
  3. Correlate and coordinate the activities of the Technical & Operating groups in the several districts of the Society.
  4. Develops a program of Technical and Operating educational activities for the Society each year.
  5. Develops a program for the National Technical & Operating Conference of members to be held each year, together with recommendations for the time and place for holding the Conference.
  6. Advises the Board of Directors with regard to Technical & Operating activities which might advantageously be undertaken by the Society.

Members of this committee are usually the Chairmen of the T & O groups in their respective Divisions plus one High Alloy product group member, one Safety Committee member and one Heavy Section product group member chosen by the appropriate groups and the Chairmen of the High Alloy and Carbon & Low Alloy Research Committees.

The committee holds three regular meetings during each year.

Members of the committee keep their National Chairman and other members of the committee informed regarding activities which have been found successful and helpful to members and the Industry.