In your experience in the metal industry, you may have come across ASTM standard designations. You will find phrases like ASTM A106 for seamless pressure pipe but what exactly are ASTM standards?
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What is ASTM?
ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is a global leader in developing voluntary consensus standards used by individuals, companies, and organizations worldwide. Comprising over 30,000 volunteer members from more than 140 countries, ASTM meets the criteria for international standard development organizations set by the World Trade Organization. All ASTM members elect a board of directors to govern and make decisions.
How are ASTM safety standards developed?
Standards are detailed documents specifying quality and safety requirements for materials across various industries, such as metals, paints, plastics, textiles, petroleum, and consumer products. ASTM provides this information, outlining these identification characteristics and tests to let you know which products must comply with the standard.
Any interested party can submit a request for a new standard to ASTM International. An ASTM technical committee prepares a draft standard, which is then submitted to the parent subcommittee before being provided to all members for review. Any objections during this process must be considered before the document can move to the next level.
The ASTM International Standards Committee gives final approval after ensuring that ASTM procedures are strictly adhered to and the standard has been properly developed. This timely process ensures all interested parties have a voice and maintains a balance between competing interests.
Why are ASTM safety standards important?
Scientists, engineers, architects, and government agencies rely on ASTM safety standards to ensure the quality and consistency of materials. While these standards are voluntary, they become mandatory when governments need to cite them in contracts, codes, regulations, or government laws.
ASTM standards are crucial for evaluating the material, chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical properties of metals. This information guides product manufacturers towards appropriate processing and application procedures. Organizations and individuals can use the ASTM website to search for over 12,000 standards in any available industry.
For you, it’s important to know how to cite ASTM standards with ASTM PDF standards. It’s also crucial to be able to answer any customer questions about the standards. After all, your customers depend on you to provide them with consistent, high-quality products. When investing in your materials, you need to be able to trust that they will perform as they are supposed to. By using products that comply with ASTM standards and knowing how to reference ASTM standards, you can ensure you are purchasing high-quality materials.
If you’re looking for a great place to start, call Bao Tin Steel today at hotline +84932059176. We will provide you with a quick, free quote on several ASTM-quality metals that will keep your staff and buyers safe and satisfied.
