Designation: A 994 98

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS 100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428 Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Guide for

Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specications for Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys1
This standard is issued under the xed designation A 994; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 1.1 This guide covers the editorial form and style for product specications under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1.
NOTE 1For standards other than product specications, such as test methods, practices, and guides, see the appropriate sections of Form and Style for ASTM Standards (Blue Book).2

1.2 Subcommittees preparing new product specications or revising existing ones should follow the practices and procedures outlined herein, and be guided by the latest specication covering similar commodities. 1.3 This guide has been prepared as a supplement to the current edition of the Blue Book, and is appropriate for use by the subcommittees to Committee A-1. This guide is to be applied in conjunction with the Blue Book. 1.4 If a conict exists between this guide and the mandatory sections of the current edition of the Blue Book, the Blue Book requirements have precedence. If a conict exists between this guide and the nonmandatory sections of the current edition of the Blue Book, the guide has precedence. 2. Referenced Documents 2.1 ASTM Standards: A 370 Test Method and Denitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products3,4 A 488/A 488M Practice for Steel Castings, Welding, Qualication of Procedures and Personnel5 A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment6 A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products3,4

A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys4 E 6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing7 E 1282 Guide for Specifying the Chemical Compositions and Selecting Sampling Practices and Quantitative Analysis Methods for Metals and Alloys8 2.2 ASME Standard: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualications9 2.3 Military Standard: MIL-STD-163, Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Shipment and Storage10 2.4 Federal Standard: Fed. Std. No. 123, Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)10 3. Terminology 3.1 Denitions of Terms Specic to This Standard: 3.1.1 For denitions of terms used in this guide, refer to the Blue Book, Terminology A 941, and Terminology E 6. 4. Signicance and Use 4.1 The Blue Book provides mandatory requirements and recommended practices for the preparation and content of ASTM specications. In order to promote consistency in the style and content of product specications under its jurisdiction, Committee A-1 recognizes the need to provide a supplementary document pertaining to the types of products and materials covered by those specications. 4.2 This guide contains a list of sections to be considered for inclusion in a specication for steel, stainless steel, and related alloy products, and guidance or recommended wording, or both, for such sections.

1 This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.91 on Editorial. Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1998. Published April 1999. 2 Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. 3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. 4 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01. 5 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02. 6 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.

Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06. 9 Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 345 E. 47th St., New York, NY 10017. 10 Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Phila., PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
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4.3 It is expected that persons drafting new product specications under the jurisdiction of Committee A-1, or modifying existing ones, will follow the mandatory requirements of the Blue Book and this guide. 5. Subject Headings of Text 5.1 The various sections of a Committee A-1 product specication should be arranged in the following order. Not all of these sections will appear in every specication; however, those used should be listed in the order given. In some cases, a specication may require the addition of a section or sections not listed, in which case they should be inserted in the specication so as to preserve the logical sequence of sections, insofar as possible. 5.2 When only one requirement is used in a section having multiple possible subheadings, that requirement becomes the section heading (for example, Tension Test instead of Mechanical Properties).
Title Designation Scope Referenced Documents ASTM Standards Other Documents Classication Terminology Ordering Information General Requirements Materials and Manufacture Melting Practice Mechanical Working Practice Heat Treatment Welding Coatings Chemical Composition Heat Analysis Product Analysis Methods of Analysis Metallurgical Requirements Grain Size Decarburization Etch Test Micro-cleanliness Hardenability Corrosion Resistance Physical Properties Electrical Resistivity Thermal Conductivity Mechanical Properties Tension Test Hardness Test Impact Test Bend Test Flattening Test Flange Test Flare Test Proof Load Test Wrap Test Crush Test Coiling Test Pressure Test Requirements Hydrostatic Test Air-Under-Water Test Nondestructive Test Requirements Magnetic Particle Test Liquid Penetrant Test Radiographic Test Ultrasonic Test Eddy Current Test Flux Leakage Test Other Test Requirements Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations Flatness Straightness Out-of-roundness Camber Bowing Mating Length Diameter Thickness Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance Surface Finish Edges End Finish Rework, Retreatment, and Weld Repair Sampling Number of Tests, Retests, and Resampling Specimen Preparation Test Methods and Analytical Methods Inspection Rejection and Rehearing Certication Product Identication Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment Keywords Supplementary Requirements Annexes and Appendixes

6. Section Contents 6.1 Title: 6.1.1 The title should be as concise as possible, but complete enough to identify clearly the product covered by the specication. Titles are also used in lists, table of contents, and indexes, and it is most important that they be brief but self-explanatory. 6.1.2 Two methods for establishing wording are considered acceptable and are at the option of the subcommittee. 6.1.3 One is to word as in ordinary conversation with the adjectives rst as is normal in the English language. For example, Standard Specication for Hot-Worked, Hot-ColdWorked, and Cold-Worked Alloy Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for High Strength at Elevated Temperatures. A general scheme for generating titles with this format is: 6.1.3.1 Type of document: Standard Specication for, 6.1.3.2 Special treatment of the material, if any: quenched and tempered, hot-rolled, seamless, welded, etc., 6.1.3.3 Material type based on chemical composition: carbon, high-strength low-alloy, austenitic stainless, etc., 6.1.3.4 Steel, 6.1.3.5 Product form: bars, pressure vessel plate, casting, sheet and strip, etc., 6.1.3.6 Special quality of the product, if any: with improved toughness, with mechanical property requirements, of commercial quality, etc., and 6.1.3.7 Specic application or use of the product, if any: for machine parts, for valves, for low temperature, for general use, for corrosive service, etc. 6.1.4 The key word in order of importance concept for specication titles is preferred by many subcommittees because it facilitates accurate indexing and provides rapid identication of specication subject matter. For example, Standard Specication for Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip, Alloy, Hot-Worked, Hot-Cold-Worked, and Cold-Worked, for High Strength at Elevated Temperatures. A general scheme for developing a title with this format is: 6.1.4.1 Type of document: Standard Specication for,
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6.1.4.2 Steel, 6.1.4.3 Product form: bars, pressure vessel plate, casting, sheet and strip, etc., 6.1.4.4 Material type based on chemical composition: carbon, high-strength low-alloy, austenitic stainless, etc., 6.1.4.5 Special treatment of the material, if any: quenched and tempered, hot-rolled, seamless, welded, etc., 6.1.4.6 Special quality of the product, if any: with improved toughness, with mechanical property requirements, commercial quality, etc., and 6.1.4.7 Specic application or use of the product, if any: for machine parts, for valves, for low temperature, for general use, for corrosive service, etc. 6.1.5 The use of temperature categories in the titles of specications should be avoided. When a subcommittee determines that temperature categories must be used in the title of a specic standard, numerical temperature ranges should not be used; the establishment of limits on the use of materials is not the responsibility of Committee A-1. When a subcommittee determines that a temperature category must be used in a title, one of the following should be selected: cryogenic, low, ambient, moderate, elevated, or high. 6.2 Scope: 6.2.1 When the specication covers multiple grades, classes, types, or combinations thereof, this should be stated in a separate section in the scope. The subdivision grade should be based upon chemical composition, a mechanical property, or application of the product. Further subdivision should be by class, based on some pertinent property or properties, and identied by arabic numbers. The subdivision type should be based on some major property, such as manufacture, product form, or generic classication. The precedence of grade, class, and type is the A-1 preferred style, and it should be used in the absence of any established preference. 6.2.2 In a general requirements specication, the scope should contain the following, or a similar, statement:
In the case of conict between a requirement of a product specication and a requirement of this specication, the product specication shall prevail. In the case of conict between a requirement of the product specication or a requirement of this specication and a more stringent requirement of the purchase order, the purchase order shall prevail. The purchase order requirements shall not take precedence if they, in any way, violate the requirements of the product specication or this specication; for example, by the waiving of a test requirement or by making a test requirement less stringent.

temperature ranges should not be used. The categories should be limited to the following: cryogenic, low, ambient, moderate, elevated, or high. 6.2.3.3 When a temperature category is used in the scope of a standard, the scope must cite the property or properties of the specied material that explain the selection of the temperature category with a statement such as:
Elevated temperatures are temperatures in the range where creep and stress rupture properties are important for the steels in this specication. Low (or cryogenic) temperatures are temperatures where fracture toughness is important.

6.2.4 Denitions of the various product forms should be addressed in the section on Terminology, rather than in the Scope section. 6.3 TerminologyThe standards to which the Terminology section should refer for denitions of terms are as follows: 6.3.1
A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related Alloys, and Ferroalloys E 6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing

6.4 Ordering Information: 6.4.1 In general, the following statement should appear in the Ordering Information section:
It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all requirements that are necessary for product under this specication. Such requirements to be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:

6.2.3 Temperature Categories: 6.2.3.1 Temperature categories should not be used in the scopes of specications, because that use may mislead users of standards by creating an implication that the scope reects engineering judgment on the temperature suitability of products for specic applications. The establishment of temperature limitations on the use of materials is the responsibility of code committees. 6.2.3.2 When a subcommittee determines that temperature categories must be used in a specic standard, numerical

6.4.2 This statement should be followed by a list of the appropriate items to be shown in the purchase order to adequately describe the product to be supplied under the specication. Each item should contain a parenthetical reference to the number of the appropriate part of the specication to which the item applies, to the extent possible and practicable. Typically, the list would include: 6.4.2.1 Quantity (mass, length, or number of pieces), 6.4.2.2 Name of material, 6.4.2.3 ASTM specication designation and year of issue to which the product is to be furnished and be certied as meeting, 6.4.2.4 Condition (hot rolled, cold rolled, cold drawn, annealed, heat treated), 6.4.2.5 Grade, class, and type designations, 6.4.2.6 Dimensions, 6.4.2.7 Shape and nish characteristics, 6.4.2.8 Requirements for certications and for reporting chemical analyses and test results, and 6.4.2.9 Supplementary or other special requirements. 6.5 General Requirements: 6.5.1 When a general requirements specication exists for the product specication under consideration, the product specication should contain a General Requirements section, if the general requirements specication is to apply in whole or in part.

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6.5.2 Appropriate wording for a General Requirements section is as follows:
Product furnished to this specication shall conform to the requirements of Specication A xxx/A xxxM, including any supplementary requirements that are indicated in the purchase order. Failure to comply with the general requirements of Specication A xxx/A xxxM constitutes nonconformance with this specication. In case of conict between the requirements of this specication and Specication A xxx/A xxxM, this specication shall prevail. Boron Columbium (Niobium) Columbium + Tantalum Tantalum Cobalt Selenium Lead Nitrogen Others alphabetically

6.6 Materials and Manufacture: 6.6.1 This section addresses such issues as melting, rening, and casting practices; mechanical working requirements; fabrication practices; heat treatment; and surface nishing. 6.6.2 Unless technical considerations dictate otherwise, restrictions should not be placed on manufacturing practices. 6.6.3 When lengthy sections are required describing annealing, heat treating, or other processing, they should be specied in a separate major heading; for example: 8. Heat Treatment. 6.6.4 This section should state briey the general requirements of the starting materials to be used. Reference appropriate ASTM specications, if available, and, if appropriate, the process to be followed in manufacture. 6.6.5 When welding is involved in the fabrication of the material or product specied, or to bring a product to the specication requirements, it is necessary to dene the processes and procedures that are permitted, either in this section or by reference to other codes and standards. The appropriate process and procedure qualications may be determined by the intended end use of the part. For example, for castings that are not intended for use under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, procedures and welders shall be qualied under Practice A 488/A 488M. For castings that are intended for use under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, procedures and welders shall be qualied under Section IX of that code. 6.7 Chemical Composition: 6.7.1 When limits on chemical composition are required, the section should be stated substantially as, The steel shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Table X. 6.7.2 This section should include detailed requirements of the chemical composition to which the steel must conform. These requirements should be listed in tabular form and include: 6.7.2.1 Name of each element spelled out, 6.7.2.2 Maximum, minimum, or range for each element, 6.7.2.3 The units applicable (percent or ppm), 6.7.2.4 The UNS number (if available) or common name for each grade of steel, or both, and 6.7.2.5 References to explanatory notes, when applicable. 6.7.3 The preferred order for listing elements for carbon and alloy steels is as follows:
Carbon Manganese Phosphorus Sulfur Silicon Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Copper Titanium Vanadium

6.7.4 The preferred order for listing elements for stainless steels is as stated in 6.7.3, except list chromium before nickel, nitrogen before copper, and columbium (niobium) before titanium. 6.7.5 Signicant Figures: 6.7.5.1 It is recommended that Guide E 1282 be consulted as a guide for specifying the chemical compositions for steels. 6.7.5.2 It is recommended that for specifying chemical composition limits the number of gures for each element to the right of the decimal point does not exceed the following:
Chemical Concentration Up to 0.010 % 0.010 to 0.10 % 0.10 to 3.00 % Over 3.00 % Composition Limits 0.XXXX 0.XXX X.XX X.X

NOTE 2This recommendation should be used to reduce the number of signicant gures, such as from 18.00 to 18.0 %; however a signicant gure should not be added unless there is a technical reason for so doing.

6.7.5.3 For those cases in which the composition range spans 0.010, 0.10, or 3.00 %, the number of gures to the right of the decimal point is to be determined by that indicated by the upper limit of the range. 6.7.5.4 Technical considerations may dictate the employment of less than the maximum number of gures to the right of the decimal point as previously recommended. 6.7.6 A product analysis may be required or be optional in a product specication. When permissible variations for product analysis are included, the following language is recommended:
The chemical composition determined by product analysis shall conform to the composition limits of Table X, within the permissible variations listed in Table Y.

6.7.7 The section on methods and practices for chemical analysis should be worded as follows:
Methods and practices relating to chemical analysis shall be in accordance with Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology A 751.

6.8 Mechanical Properties: 6.8.1 This section should include separate sections, where applicable, for tests such as tension, hardness, and impact. The heading Mechanical Properties will be used only when two or more properties are specied. When only one property is specied, the section will be given the heading for the specic test, such as Tension Test or Hardness Test. 6.8.2 Each section should include information on general requirements, including, but not limited to, number of samples, sample location (for example, width, length, thickness), specimen orientation, specimen size and shape (when relevant), and retest provisions. 6.8.3 Test Methods:
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6.8.3.1 Where appropriate, the test methods described in Test Methods and Denitions A 370 should be used and referenced. 6.8.3.2 When test methods other than those contained in Test Method A 370 are required, such methods shall be referenced or described. It is preferable that test methods that have been standardized by a consensus process be used. 6.8.4 When converting specied yield strength and tensile strength requirement values to SI units, convert to the nearest 5 MPa. When converting from SI units, convert to the nearest 1 ksi. 6.8.5 Specied ValuesThe recommended practice for specifying mechanical test requirements is to specify to the nearest value in accordance with Table 1. 6.8.6 The denitions of terms relating to mechanical testing found in Terminology E 6 should be used to the extent possible. 6.9 Metallurgical Requirements: 6.9.1 This section should include separate sections, where applicable, on grain size, decarburization, etch testing, microcleanliness, hardenability, corrosion resistance, or other metallurgical structure requirements. 6.9.2 Each section should include information on the requirements, including the test methods or reference to a General Requirements specication that contains this information. In addition, each section should contain the number of tests and the test locations. 6.10 Physical Properties: 6.10.1 This section should include, where applicable, requirements for physical properties, such as electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and other specied physical properties. 6.10.2 Each physical property should be covered in a separate section that includes the acceptance criteria. 6.10.3 The requirements for test procedures should be contained within the section addressing the physical property. The test procedure should either be dened completely within the section or by reference to another test procedure specication. All information required by the referenced specication should be provided. 6.11 Nondestructive Examination Requirements:
Test Quantity Test Data Range Yield Point, Yield Strength, and Tensile Strength Elongation Reduction of Area Impact Energy Under 100 ksi 100 ksi and over All values All values Under 30 ft-lbf 30 to 100 ft-lbf 100 ft-lbf and over All All All All scales Inch-pound Units Specify to 1 ksi 5 ksi 1% 1% 1 ft-lbf 2 ft-lbf 5 ft-lbf 1 mil 5%
A

6.11.1 This section should include, where applicable, requirements for nondestructive examinations, such as magnetic particle tests, liquid penetrant tests, radiographic tests, ultrasonic tests, eddy current tests, and ux leakage tests. 6.11.2 Each nondestructive test should be covered in a separate section that includes the acceptance criteria. 6.11.3 The requirements for test procedures should be contained within the section addressing the nondestructive test. The test procedure should either be dened completely within the section or by reference to another test procedure specication. All information required by the referenced specication should be provided. 6.11.4 Many specications require the individual performing nondestructive examinations to be certied. Wording similar to the following should be used in such cases:
Individuals conducting the examinations shall be certied in accordance with (state referenced standard) or an equivalent documented standard acceptable to both purchaser and manufacturer.

6.12 Other Test Requirements: 6.12.1 This section should include, where applicable, test requirements that are not addressed elsewhere in this guide. 6.12.2 Each test requirement should be covered in a separate section that includes the acceptance criteria. 6.12.3 The requirements for test procedures should be contained within the section addressing the test requirement. The test procedure should either be dened completely within the section or by reference to another test procedure standard. 6.13 Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations: 6.13.1 For clarity, details as to standard shape, mass, and size usually are presented in tabular form with a brief reference in the text. Separate sections with individual tables are preferred. Such a reference may be similar to the following:
The product form referred to (sheet, strip, bar, etc.) shall conform to the permissible variations in dimension and mass prescribed in Table X.

6.13.2 In tables of permissible variations, the following preferred usage should be adhered to as far as possible: 6.13.2.1 In general headings for columns for thickness, etc., the word specied is to be used in preference to nominalor
SI Units Test Data Range Under 1000 MPa 1000 MPa and over All values All values Under 40 J 40 to 140 J 140 J and over All All All All scales Specify to 5 MPa 10 MPa 1% 1% 1J 5J 10 J 25 m 5%
A

TABLE 1 Recommended Specication Increments for Specifying Mechanical Test Requirements

Lateral Expansion Percent Shear Area Brinell Hardness Rockwell Hardness

A

1 Rockwell no.

1 Rockwell no.

Select values corresponding to 0.002 in. [0.05 mm] indentation diameter increments.

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ordered. Where size designations are indeed nominal, for example, for some structural shapes, and for pipe, nominal is preferred. 6.13.2.2 The tables should clearly indicate where the various size ranges are divided, for example, ranges from 0 to 10 in., 10 to 20 in., 20 to 30 in. should be more properly stated as:
10 in. [250 mm] and under Over 10 to 20 in. [250 to 510 mm], incl Over 20 to 30 in. [510 to 760 mm], incl

6.14 Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance: 6.14.1 WorkmanshipExamples of workmanship requirements that might be used are presented below. Examples 6.14.1.1 and 6.14.1.2 could apply to any product form. Examples 6.14.1.3-6.14.1.6 could also apply, as appropriate for the product form and quality ordered. 6.14.1.1 For all product forms where surface nish is not specied elsewhere in the specication, The general appearance with respect to soundness and surface nish shall be consistent with good commercial practice, as determined by visual inspection. 6.14.1.2 For all product forms where surface nish is specied elsewhere in the specication, the statement of 6.14.1.1 should be preceded by the phrase, In addition to the surface nish requirements of . . . 6.14.1.3 For bars, Bars shall be commercially straight and free from twist. 6.14.1.4 For castings, Castings shall conform substantially to the dimensions on drawings furnished by the purchaser. If the pattern is supplied by the purchaser, the dimensions predicated by the pattern shall apply. 6.14.1.5 For tubular products, Tubular products shall have smooth ends free from burrs. They shall be free from defects, as determined by visual inspection. 6.14.1.6 For wire, The wire shall be uniform in diameter and shall be free from splits, scale, and similar imperfections. 6.14.2 Finish and AppearanceThis section should be used to specify the surface nish requirements, edge requirements, or end nish requirements. 6.14.2.1 Appropriate wording for a section on nish would be, The types of nish shall be as follows. (This statement is then followed by a list of the nishes and their individual descriptions. For clarity and uniformity, the nomenclature for the nishes and their respective descriptions should be according to recognized industry standards.) 6.14.2.2 When required, a section should be used to specify the type of edge required. Typical wordings for such sections are:
The type of edge required shall be specied as follows:

6.15 Rework and Retreatment: 6.15.1 This section should be used, when appropriate, to provide for rework, such as by grinding or repair welding, or retreatment of product represented by tests or inspections that fail to meet the requirements of the specication. Any limitations on the extent of such rework or the number of retreatments should be addressed in this section. 6.15.2 When welding is permitted to bring a decient product to the specication requirements, it is necessary to dene the processes and procedures that may be used, either in this section or by reference to other codes and standards. The appropriate process and procedure qualications may be determined by the intended end use of the part. For example, for castings that are not intended for use under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, procedures and welders shall be qualied under Practice A 488/A 488M. For castings that are intended for use under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, procedures and welders shall be qualied under Section IX of that code. 6.16 Sampling: 6.16.1 If a sampling section is included, the size, that is, mass, number of pieces, etc., of the lot to be qualied should be described for each required test. 6.16.2 When the qualication of the lot is dependent upon test results from an individual sample or samples, the number of tests necessary to qualify the lot should be dened. 6.16.3 The location of the sample or samples and orientation of the test specimen or specimens should be stated, as well as procedures for acquisition of the sample or samples. 6.16.4 When statistical sampling methods are used to qualify a lot on the basis of an examination of some individual units of the lot, references to appropriate sampling plans and procedures for implementation of such plans should be included in an annex to the standard. The sampling plans should include the lot size, the number of units to be sampled, and the number that must be acceptable for the lot to be qualied. 6.16.5 Specications may include provisions for the making and testing of new test specimens to provide for occasions when a specimen is damaged by defective machining, or reveals casting imperfections or other imperfections during preparation of the specimens that might cause failure upon testing for reasons not attributable to typical material properties or conditions. For example:
If in the course of preparation, a test specimen is made or found to be defective due to such things as machining errors or the presence of non-typical imperfections in the metal, the specimen may be replaced with another that shall be selected on the same basis as the one discarded.

No. 1 EdgeAn edge of a specied contour (round or square) that is produced when a very accurate width is required or when an edge nish suitable for electroplating is required, or both. No. 5 EdgeAn approximately square edge produced from slit edge material on which the burr is eliminated by rolling or ling. Cut EdgeAn approximately square edge resulting from the cutting of at-rolled steel into one or more desired widths by means of rotary knives (slit edge) or blade shears (sheared edge).

6.17 Number of Tests, Retests, and Resampling Procedures: 6.17.1 This section should address the number of tests for each test required by the specication. It should also cover the allowances for retesting and resampling, if permitted by the specication. For example, retesting might be permitted due to the mechanical failure of a specimen, for example, it broke outside the gage length during a tension test. Resampling is the securing of new samples because the tests failed to meet the limits of the standard but were within prescribed limits that allow resampling. Procedures for dealing with product between
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the original sample and additional samples should be described. 6.17.2 The number of test units and the number of test specimens necessary to qualify the product should be included, as well as the orientation of such test units or specimens. Following are examples of paragraphs that have been used to dene the number, location, and orientation of test specimens: 6.17.2.1 For structural steel plates:
Tension TestsOrientationFor plates wider than 24 in. [600 mm], test specimens shall be taken such that the longitudinal axis of the specimen is transverse to the nal direction of the rolling of the plate. Test specimens for all other products shall be taken such that the longitudinal axis of the specimen is parallel to the nal direction of rolling. Plates Provided from CoilsTwo tension tests shall be taken from each coil tested. One tension-test specimen shall be taken immediately prior to the rst plate produced to the qualifying specication and the second test shall be taken from the approximate center lap. . .
Hardness tests may be made on the grip ends of the tension test specimens before they are subjected to the tension test. Test coupons, from which tension test specimens are prepared, shall be attached to the castings where practicable. If, in the opinion of the manufacturer, the design of the casting is such that test coupons should not be attached thereon, these coupons shall be cast attached to separately cast blocks. The test coupons from which test specimens are to be prepared shall remain attached to the castings or blocks they represent until submitted for inspection, and shall be heat treated with the castings. Test coupons shall be provided in sufficient numbers to furnish specimens required in Section X. The width of strip for which bend tests can be made is subject to practical limitations on the length of the bend test specimen. For narrow strip, the following widths can be tested: Strip Thickness, in. [mm] Transverse 0.100 [2.0] and under 0.101 to 0.140 [2.1 to 3.0], excl. 0.140 [3], and over Minimum Strip Width and Minimum Specimen Length for Bend Tests, in. [mm]A [13] 1 [25] 1 12 [38]
12

6.17.2.2 For high-strength low-alloy sheet and strip:

Location and OrientationTension test specimens shall be taken at a point immediately adjacent to the material to be qualied. Tension test specimens shall be taken with the axis of the test specimens parallel to the rolling direction (longitudinal test).

A Bend test specimens for sheet and strip may be of any suitable length over the above minimum length.

6.17.3 If the specication allows retesting, the rules for such retesting and the procedures to be followed should be stated, including the number of additional test specimens required and the limits of acceptance. The following paragraph is an example of a paragraph describing retesting procedures:
If the percentage of elongation of any test specimen is less than specied, and any part of the fracture is more than in. [20 mm] from the center of the 2-in. [50-mm] gage length of a specimen, or is outside the middle half of the 8-in. [200-mm] gage length of a specimen, a retest is allowed.

6.19 InspectionThe following standard wording for this section has been adopted by Committee A-1:
The manufacturer shall afford the purchasers inspector all reasonable facilities necessary to be satised that the product is being produced and furnished in accordance with this specication. Mill inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere unnecessarily with the manufacturers operations.

6.17.4 If the specication allows resampling, the rules for such resampling, including disposition of product between the original test and the resample, should be included. The procedures to be followed, including the number of additional test specimens and the acceptance criteria, should be included. The following are examples describing resampling procedures:
If the results of an original tension test specimen are within 2 ksi (14 MPa) of the required tensile strength, resampling is permitted. The new sample shall be taken at random from the lot in question. If the results of this retest specimen meet the specied requirements, the lot will be accepted. If the result of an original tension test specimen is more than 2 ksi (14 MPa) from the required tensile strength, resampling is permitted, provided that product produced between the location of the original test and the new sample is discarded from the lot being qualied. Such discarded product shall not be qualied to meet the specication by the new sample. A total of two resampling efforts will be permitted. If the lot is resampled, two tests will be required. The rst shall be adjacent to the beginning of the lot to be qualied. If the results of both resampling test specimens meet the specied requirements, the lot will be accepted.

6.20 Rejection and Rehearing: 6.20.1 RejectionWhen a rejection section is to be included, the provisions under which the product will be rejected should be stated. Examples of rejection paragraphs, which may be used, as appropriate, are:
Product that is found to be defective subsequent to its acceptance at the manufacturers works may be rejected, and the manufacturer shall be notied. Product that is found to be defective following original inspection and acceptance at the manufacturers works may be rejected, and the manufacturer shall be notied.

6.20.2 RehearingProvisions should be stated for maintaining samples of product rejected by the purchaser, pending disposition. An example is as follows:
Samples representing product rejected by the purchaser shall be preserved until disposition of the claim has been agreed to between the supplier and the purchaser.

6.18 Specimen PreparationSpecications requiring the determination of the mechanical properties of the product should include the appropriate paragraphs to adequately describe the preparation of the required test specimens. Below are some examples:
The tension test specimens shall conform to the appropriate sections of Test Methods and Denitions A 370.

6.21 Certication: 6.21.1 When a specication is to include a certication section, the ordering information section should include 6.4.2.3 and 6.4.2.8 of 6.4.2 of this guide. The following are provided for guidance in preparing a certication section: a given specication could include one or more of the following, as appropriate:
Product MarkingApplication of the identication markings, as required under Product Marking, shall constitute certication that the product has been supplied in accordance with the requirements of this specication.

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Certicate of ComplianceWhen specied in the purchase order or contract, the producer or supplier shall furnish a certicate of compliance stating that the product was manufactured, sampled, tested and inspected in accordance with this specication (including year of issue) and any other requirements designated in the purchase order or contract, and has been found to meet such requirements. Test ReportsWhen specied in the purchase order or contract, test reports shall be furnished to the purchaser containing the results of all tests and chemical analyses required by this specication (including year of issue), and any other requirements designated in the purchase order or contract.

6.21.2 The certication section could also include one or more of the following, as appropriate:
A signature or notarization is not required; however, the document shall clearly identify the organization submitting it. Notwithstanding the absence of a signature, the organization submitting the document is responsible for its content. Copies of the original manufacturers test report shall be included with any subsequent test report. A certicate of compliance (or test report) printed from or used in electronic form from an electronic data interchange (EDI) shall be regarded as having the same validity as a counterpart printed in the certifying organizations facility. The content of the EDI transmitted document must conform to any existing EDI agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.

class may vary from one heat to the next with respect to chemistry and mechanical properties; and product with all these particularities the same may vary in properties with respect to their origin in the ingot or mold, or due to differences in heat treatment. Accordingly, product markings may need to contain enough designators to provide unique piece identication. The list of markings may be different for different products and may include the number, code, or symbol for the following, as applicable: heat number; specication designation and, if necessary, year of issue; type; grade; class; lot; manufacturers name, brand, or trademark; and any additional codes required by the specication. 6.23 Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment: 6.23.1 Where appropriate Practice A 700 should be referenced, as follows:
Where applicable, the packing, marking, and loading methods described in Practice A 700 shall be used.

6.22 Product IdenticationWhere identication of individual pieces is required, the product markings must include sufficient attributes to distinguish one piece from another. Even product from the same specication number, type, grade, and

6.23.2 For U.S. Government procurement, packaging, packing, and marking should be required to be in accordance with MIL-STD-163, to the level specied in the purchase order. Marking for shipment for civil agencies should be required to be in accordance with Fed. Std. 123. 6.24 KeywordsThis section lists appropriate terms for indexing. 6.25 Supplementary RequirementsFollow the Blue Book. 6.26 Annexes and AppendixesFollow the Blue Book.

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