What Is ASTM Steel?

ASTM International is an organization that publishes documents and develops standards on a wide variety of materials and processes. ASTM steel is steel that has been graded by ASTM and meets certain performance requirements. Manufacturers follow ASTM standard voluntarily.

Significance

Steel manufacturers note in their catalogs and advertisements that they adhere to ASTM test guidelines, and that their products conform to the classifications. Buyers use these standards when they are researching steel products.

Testing

ASTM's steel testing covers many specifications, including alloy, size, toughness and composition. Those using steel products purchase the product that fulfills the requirements they need for what they are building.

Grades

ASTM grades steel according to alloy, stainless steel or carbon. It tests steel's properties, hardness, resistance to corrosion, pitting, heat treating processes and others. The results are listed in an alphanumeric system.

Society of Automotive Engineers

ASTM standards and SAE standards are compatible and overlap. Manufacturers usually note in their catalogs and advertisements all the standards a particular product meets.

Standards Associations

There are several groups that apply standards to steel production. Three of the most common are SAE, ASTM International and ANSI. These groups overlap each other, but are generally consistent.

References

• ASTM International: Standards
• Engineers Edge: Engineering Standards Specifications
• Engineers Edge: Steel Terms and Definitions

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish