ASTM A994-98
(Guide)Standard Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
Standard Guide for Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the editorial form and style for product specifications under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1.
Note 1-For standards other than product specifications, such as test methods, practices, and guides, see the appropriate sections of Form and Style for ASTM Standards (Blue Book).
1.2 Subcommittees preparing new product specifications or revising existing ones should follow the practices and procedures outlined herein, and be guided by the latest specification 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 conflict exists between this guide and the mandatory sections of the current edition of the Blue Book, the Blue Book requirements have precedence. If a conflict exists between this guide and the nonmandatory sections of the current edition of the Blue Book, this guide has precedence.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: A 994 – 98
Standard Guide for
Editorial Procedures and Form of Product Specifications for
Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed 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 A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Re-
lated Alloys, and Ferroalloys
1.1 This guide covers the editorial form and style for
E 6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Test-
product specifications under the jurisdiction of ASTM Com-
ing
mittee A-1.
E 1282 Guide for Specifying the Chemical Compositions
NOTE 1—For standards other than product specifications, such as test
and Selecting Sampling Practices and Quantitative Analy-
methods, practices, and guides, see the appropriate sections of Form and
sis Methods for Metals and Alloys
Style for ASTM Standards (Blue Book).
2.2 ASME Standard:
1.2 Subcommittees preparing new product specifications or
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX, Welding and
revising existing ones should follow the practices and proce-
Brazing Qualifications
dures outlined herein, and be guided by the latest specification
2.3 Military Standard:
covering similar commodities.
MIL-STD-163, Steel Mill Products, Preparation for Ship-
1.3 This guide has been prepared as a supplement to the 10
ment and Storage
current edition of the Blue Book, and is appropriate for use by
2.4 Federal Standard:
the subcommittees to Committee A-1. This guide is to be
Fed. Std. No. 123, Marking for Shipments (Civil Agen-
applied in conjunction with the Blue Book.
cies)
1.4 If a conflict exists between this guide and the mandatory
3. Terminology
sections of the current edition of the Blue Book, the Blue Book
requirements have precedence. If a conflict exists between this
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
guide and the nonmandatory sections of the current edition of
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to the
the Blue Book, the guide has precedence.
Blue Book, Terminology A 941, and Terminology E 6.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 The Blue Book provides mandatory requirements and
A 370 Test Method and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
recommended practices for the preparation and content of
3 ,4
of Steel Products
ASTM specifications. In order to promote consistency in the
A 488/A 488M Practice for Steel Castings, Welding, Quali-
style and content of product specifications under its jurisdic-
fication of Procedures and Personnel
tion, Committee A-1 recognizes the need to provide a supple-
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
mentary document pertaining to the types of products and
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
materials covered by those specifications.
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
4.2 This guide contains a list of sections to be considered for
3 ,4
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
inclusion in a specification for steel, stainless steel, and related
alloy products, and guidance or recommended wording, or
both, for such sections.
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 7
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Consho- Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
hocken, PA 19428. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
3 9
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 345 E.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01. 47th St., New York, NY 10017.
5 10
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.02. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. 700 Robbins Ave., Phila., PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
A994–98
4.3 It is expected that persons drafting new product speci-
Flatness
Straightness
fications under the jurisdiction of Committee A-1, or modify-
Out-of-roundness
ing existing ones, will follow the mandatory requirements of
Camber
the Blue Book and this guide.
Bowing
Mating
Length
5. Subject Headings of Text
Diameter
5.1 The various sections of a Committee A-1 product
Thickness
Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
specification should be arranged in the following order. Not all
Surface Finish
of these sections will appear in every specification; however,
Edges
those used should be listed in the order given. In some cases,
End Finish
Rework, Retreatment, and Weld Repair
a specification may require the addition of a section or sections
Sampling
not listed, in which case they should be inserted in the
Number of Tests, Retests, and Resampling
specification so as to preserve the logical sequence of sections,
Specimen Preparation
Test Methods and Analytical Methods
insofar as possible.
Inspection
5.2 When only one requirement is used in a section having
Rejection and Rehearing
multiple possible subheadings, that requirement becomes the Certification
Product Identification
section heading (for example, Tension Test instead of Mechani-
Packaging, Marking, and Loading for Shipment
cal Properties).
Keywords
Supplementary Requirements
Title
Annexes and Appendixes
Designation
Scope
Referenced Documents
6. Section Contents
ASTM Standards
Other Documents
6.1 Title:
Classification
6.1.1 The title should be as concise as possible, but com-
Terminology
plete enough to identify clearly the product covered by the
Ordering Information
General Requirements
specification. Titles are also used in lists, table of contents, and
Materials and Manufacture
indexes, and it is most important that they be brief but
Melting Practice
self-explanatory.
Mechanical Working Practice
Heat Treatment
6.1.2 Two methods for establishing wording are considered
Welding
acceptable and are at the option of the subcommittee.
Coatings
6.1.3 One is to word as in ordinary conversation with the
Chemical Composition
Heat Analysis
adjectives first as is normal in the English language. For
Product Analysis
example, “Standard Specification for Hot-Worked, Hot-Cold-
Methods of Analysis
Worked, and Cold-Worked Alloy Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
Metallurgical Requirements
Grain Size
for High Strength at Elevated Temperatures.” A general scheme
Decarburization
for generating titles with this format is:
Etch Test
6.1.3.1 Type of document: “Standard Specification for,”
Micro-cleanliness
Hardenability
6.1.3.2 Special treatment of the material, if any: “quenched
Corrosion Resistance
and tempered,” “hot-rolled,” “seamless,” “welded,” etc.,
Physical Properties
6.1.3.3 Material type based on chemical composition: “car-
Electrical Resistivity
Thermal Conductivity
bon,” “high-strength low-alloy,” “austenitic stainless,” etc.,
Mechanical Properties
6.1.3.4 “Steel,”
Tension Test
6.1.3.5 Product form: “bars,” “pressure vessel plate,” “cast-
Hardness Test
Impact Test
ing,” “sheet and strip,” etc.,
Bend Test
6.1.3.6 Special quality of the product, if any: “with im-
Flattening Test
Flange Test proved toughness,” “with mechanical property requirements,”
Flare Test
“of commercial quality,” etc., and
Proof Load Test
6.1.3.7 Specific application or use of the product, if any:
Wrap Test
Crush Test “for machine parts,” “for valves,” “for low temperature,” “for
Coiling Test
general use,” “for corrosive service,” etc.
Pressure Test Requirements
6.1.4 The key word in order of importance concept for
Hydrostatic Test
specification titles is preferred by many subcommittees be-
Air-Under-Water Test
Nondestructive Test Requirements
cause it facilitates accurate indexing and provides rapid iden-
Magnetic Particle Test
tification of specification subject matter. For example, “Stan-
Liquid Penetrant Test
Radiographic Test dard Specification for Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip, Alloy,
Ultrasonic Test
Hot-Worked, Hot-Cold-Worked, and Cold-Worked, for High
Eddy Current Test
Strength at Elevated Temperatures.” A general scheme for
Flux Leakage Test
Other Test Requirements developing a title with this format is:
Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
6.1.4.1 Type of document: “Standard Specification for,”
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
A994–98
6.1.4.2 “Steel,” temperature ranges should not be used. The categories should
be limited to the following: cryogenic, low, ambient, moderate,
6.1.4.3 Product form: “bars,” “pressure vessel plate,” “cast-
elevated, or high.
ing,” “sheet and strip,” etc.,
6.2.3.3 When a temperature category is used in the scope of
6.1.4.4 Material type based on chemical composition: “car-
a standard, the scope must cite the property or properties of the
bon,” “high-strength low-alloy,” “austenitic stainless,” etc.,
specified material that explain the selection of the temperature
6.1.4.5 Special treatment of the material, if any: “quenched
category with a statement such as:
and tempered,” “hot-rolled,” “seamless,” “welded,” etc.,
Elevated temperatures are temperatures in the range where
6.1.4.6 Special quality of the product, if any: “with im-
creep and stress rupture properties are important for the steels
proved toughness,” “with mechanical property requirements,”
in this specification.
“commercial quality,” etc., and
Low (or cryogenic) temperatures are temperatures where frac-
6.1.4.7 Specific application or use of the product, if any:
ture toughness is important.
“for machine parts,” “for valves,” “for low temperature,” “for
6.2.4 Definitions of the various product forms should be
general use,” “for corrosive service,” etc.
addressed in the section on Terminology, rather than in the
6.1.5 The use of temperature categories in the titles of
Scope section.
specifications should be avoided. When a subcommittee deter-
6.3 Terminology— The standards to which the Terminology
mines that temperature categories must be used in the title of a
section should refer for definitions of terms are as follows:
specific standard, numerical temperature ranges should not be
6.3.1
used; the establishment of limits on the use of materials is not
A 941 Terminology Relating to Steel, Stainless Steel, Related
the responsibility of Committee A-1. When a subcommittee
Alloys, and Ferroalloys
determines that a temperature category must be used in a title,
one of the following should be selected: cryogenic, low,
E 6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
ambient, moderate, elevated, or high.
6.4 Ordering Information:
6.2 Scope:
6.4.1 In general, the following statement should appear in
6.2.1 When the specification covers multiple grades,
the Ordering Information section:
classes, types, or combinations thereof, this should be stated in
It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all re-
a separate section in the scope. The subdivision grade should
quirements that are necessary for product under this specifica-
tion. Such requirements to be considered include, but are not
be based upon chemical composition, a mechanical property, or
limited to, the following:
application of the product. Further subdivision should be by
class, based on some pertinent property or properties, and
6.4.2 This statement should be followed by a list of the
identified by arabic numbers. The subdivision type should be appropriate items to be shown in the purchase order to
based on some major property, such as manufacture, product
adequately describe the product to be supplied under the
form, or generic classification. The precedence of grade, class, specification. Each item should contain a parenthetical refer-
and type is the A-1 preferred style, and it should be used in the
ence to the number of the appropriate part of the specification
absence of any established preference. to which the item applies, to the extent possible and practi-
6.2.2 In a general requirements specification, the scope cable. Typically, the list would include:
should contain the following, or a similar, statement: 6.4.2.1 Quantity (mass, length, or number of pieces),
In the case of conflict between a requirement of a product 6.4.2.2 Name of material,
specification and a requirement of this specification, the prod-
6.4.2.3 ASTM specification designation and year of issue to
uct specification shall prevail. In the case of conflict between a
which the product is to be furnished and be certified as
requirement of the product specification or a requirement of
this specification and a more stringent requirement of the pur- meeting,
chase order, the purchase order shall prevail. The purchase
6.4.2.4 Condition (hot rolled, cold rolled, cold drawn, an-
order requirements shall not take precedence if they, in any
nealed, heat treated),
way, violate the requirements of the product specification or
this specification; for example, by the waiving of a test require-
6.4.2.5 Grade, class, and type designations,
ment or by making a test requirement less stringent.
6.4.2.6 Dimensions,
6.2.3 Temperature Categories: 6.4.2.7 Shape and finish characteristics,
6.2.3.1 Temperature categories should not be used in the 6.4.2.8 Requirements for certifications and for reporting
chemical analyses and test results, and
scopes of specifications, because that use may mislead users of
standards by creating an implication that the scope reflects 6.4.2.9 Supplementary or other special requirements.
engineering judgment on the temperature suitability of prod- 6.5 General Requirements:
ucts for specific applications. The establishment of temperature
6.5.1 When a general requirements specification exists for
limitations on the use of materials is the responsibility of code
the product specification under consideration, the product
committees.
specification should contain a General Requirements section, if
6.2.3.2 When a subcommittee determines that temperature the general requirements specification is to apply in whole or in
categories must be used in a specific standard, numerical part.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new vers
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