Form and Style for ASTM Standards - ASTM International

C23. Significance and Use (Mandatory)
C23.1 Include in this section information
that explains the relevance and meaning of the
practice (or guide). State the practical uses for the
practice and how it is typically employed. Avoid
repetition of information included in the Scope
(see Section C19).
C23.2 Include separately any appropriate
comments on limitations of the practice. Indicate
any means of recognizing cases where the practice
may not be applicable.
C23.3 Include, where applicable, comparisons
of the practice (or guide) to other similar
procedures.
C24. Reagents
C24.1 See Section A12.
C25. Procedure
C25.1 Include in the procedure detailed
directions for performing the task outlined in the
practice.
C25.2 In some cases, to aid in clarity, a
diagrammatic, photographic, or schematic may
be of value to the user of the practice. These shall
be supplied to the ASTM editorial staff as originals.
An excellent example of this type of
approach is illustrated in ASTM Practice D2855,
for Making Solvent-Cemented Joints with Poly-
(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Pipe and Fittings.
C26. Test Methods
C26.1 List standard test methods for measurement
of all requirements of practices or
guides. Refer to the ASTM test methods used in
testing the material to determine conformance
with the practice or guide. This includes sampling,
chemical analysis, mechanical, electrical,
thermal, optical, and other testing procedures.
When alternative procedures are given in test
methods, it is important to state which particular
procedure shall be used as the basis for the
practice or guide requirement.
C26.1.1 Examples of standard practices that
include multiple test methods:
PRACTICES AND GUIDES
C-5
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping
Containers
E679 Practice for Determination of Odor and Taste
Thresholds by a Forced-Choice Ascending Concentration
Series Method of Limits
E795 Practices for Mounting Test Specimens During
Sound Absorption Tests
C26.2 When there is no ASTM test method
specified for a particular quality or property of a
specified material, describe the test procedure to
be followed in detail in the practice (or guide),
following the Form of ASTM Test Methods (Part
A of this publication). Include all mandatory
information listed in A1.1 (title, scope, significance
and use, hazards, procedure, precision and
bias).
C26.3 Where a method of some other organization
is being used and the committee has not
approved the test as an ASTM test method, then it
is preferable to describe the test in detail in the
practice or guide and to include a footnote reference
to the original source. Obtain appropriate
copyright releases.
C26.4 State all procedures in the imperative
mood.
C27. Report
C27.1 Include detailed information as to
calculating, interpreting, and reporting results in
this section.
C27.2 Depending upon the nature of the
practice, an entire section may, by necessity, be
devoted to calculation or interpretation of results,
or both.
C27.3 When a practice permits variance in
conditions under which the standard practice has
been performed, these conditions should become
part of the report.
C28. Keywords (Mandatory)
C28.1 In this section, identify the words,
terms, or phrases that best represent the technical
information presented in the standard. Select the
keywords from the title and body of the document
and include general, vernacular, and trade terms.
These keywords will be used in the preparation of
the ASTM Subject Index.
C28.2 Select three or more keywords that
describe the names of tests, procedures, special