Form and Style for ASTM Standards - ASTM International

wording of orders. After the attention of the
purchaser is directed to all of the options in the
specification, his attention might be directed to
what would be furnished by the supplier if the
purchaser fails to specify one or more of the
options.
B9.3 It is recommended that this section be
included in all specifications as a checklist of
items to be included in a purchase order or
contract. If this list contains any ASTM designation
(including referenced documents), it is desirable
to specify “year date(s)” to avoid misunderstandings
between contractual parties.
B9.4 When citing a combined standard,
indicate the system of units to be applied. For
example:
X.X This material/product shall conform to the requirements
stated in SI units of Specification A36/A36M.
B10. Materials and Manufacture
B10.1 General requirements regarding the
materials and method of manufacture to be used
may be included when deemed helpful to the user
of the standard, such as the open-hearth, electricfurnace,
or basic-oxygen bessemer processes
generally specified for steel products. When the
material, product, or system specified is made
from two or more materials or products, this
section should state briefly the general requirements
of the materials or products to be used and
the process to be followed in manufacture,
including items such as the nature and character
of any alloys, fillers, saturants, antioxidants, coatings,
and plasticizers.
B11. Chemical Composition
B11.1 When necessary, detailed requirements
shall be given as to chemical composition
and other chemical characteristics for the material,
product, or system. Frequently these are
presented in tabular form. It is most important
that the following information be clearly indicated:
(1) name of each constituent specified, (2)
whether the requirement is a maximum, minimum,
or range, (3) whether an allowance for
measurement error is incorporated in these limits,
(4) the units applicable, (5) references to notes or
footnotes when necessary for further clarification,
and (6) appropriate analytical methodology.
FORM OF ASTM SPECIFICATIONS
B-4
B11.2 The sequence of items specified shall
be consistent within a related group of specifications.
B11.3 The preferred introduction for this
section is: “The material shall conform to the
requirements prescribed in Table 1.”
B11.4 Limits on Nonspecified Elements— It
is suggested that the following statement be
added to tables of chemical requirements as
applicable to replace the requirements and statements
presently being used regarding nonspecified
elements: “By agreement between purchaser
and supplier, analysis may be required and limits
established for elements or compounds not specified
in the table of chemical composition” (see
also Section B24).
B12. Other Requirements
B12.1 When necessary, detailed requirements
should be given as to characteristics to
which the material, product, or system shall
conform. Frequently these are presented in tabular
form. It is most important that the following
information be clearly indicated: (1) name of
each property or requirements, (2) whether the
requirement is a maximum, minimum, or range,
(3) whether an allowance for measurement error
is incorporated in these limits, (4) the units
applicable, (5) references to notes or footnotes
when necessary for further clarification, and (6)
appropriate test methodology.
B12.2 Physical Properties— Present the
requirements for electrical, thermal, optical, and
similar properties in this section, usually in tabular
form.
B12.3 Mechanical Properties— Present the
requirements for tensile strength, yield strength,
elongation, and similar properties in this section.
B12.4 Performance Requirements— Include
functional, environmental, and similar requirements
in this section when necessary.
B12.5 Other Requirements— Include additional
requirements as needed.
B12.6 In preparing a specification it is
essential to make sure that there is a test procedure
for determining conformance for each
requirement. These shall be listed in the specification
(see Section B18).