Download The Advantages of ASTM International to the Materials Engineer

The Advantages of ASTM International to the Materials
Engineer
Edward L.Hibner
Special Metals Corp.
Huntington, WV 25705
ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials) International is the
largest organization in the world for developing and pub lishing voluntary, full-consensus
standards. The basics of ASTM’s process have remained unchanged for the past 100
years. A balance of users, producers and general interest members through strict balloting
and due process procedures insures the credibility of the standards developed through
ASTM.
ASTM’s process calls for the cooperation and participation of all who have a
stake in the outcome. Voluntary, full consensus standards are developed with the belief
that a broad range of input from consumers and experts from industry and academia will
insure their technical competency and credibility. Technical committees develop different
types of standard documents to meet the needs of the industries they represent. Everyone
has a right to participate and if dissatisfied, an appeal is possible at any step in standard
development. ASTM standards are continually reviewed to insure soundness, while
keeping them current.
For more than 30 years, ASTM Committee G01 on Corrosion of Metals has
served the engineering community in furthering the technology that aids in understanding
corrosion-related problems. ASTM has 32,000 members and 132 committees. Committee
G01 has a technical subcommittee organization structured to focus on specific types of
corrosion observed in service, techniques or tools to characterize corrosion behavior, and
environments such as natural waters or soils. These subcommittees are listed in Table 1.
Corrosion test methods have been developed to define procedures for identifying or
evaluating corrosion properties of a given product. An example known to most ASM
members is ASTM Test Method G48 for Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Resistance of
Stainless Steels and Related Alloys by Use of a Ferric Chloride Solution. ASTM
practices and guides, such as Standard Guide G4 for Conducting Corrosion Coupon Tests
in Field Applications and Standard Practice G31 for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion
Testing of Metals, provide instructions, options and recommend courses of action for
evaluating corrosion resistance of ma terials.
Materials engineers who use ASTM standards do not have to reinvent the wheel.
They are building on the knowledge of countless man and woman hours, and years of
practical experience that have gone into the standards development process. Standards
terminology creates a common language for corrosion knowledge. Standards, practices
and guides on wear, erosion and metal corrosion, found in volume 03.02 of the Annual
Book of ASTM Standards, contribute to the quality of materials, products, systems and
services used by materials engineers. Examples of new standards recently developed by
ASTM Committee G-1 are: (1) Standard Test Method for Evaluating Corrosion
Resistance of Chemically Passivated Aluminum Alloys by Electrochemical Impedance
Spectography (EIS), and (2) Standard Practice for Laboratory Simulation of Corrosion
Under Insulation. Examples of new standards currently under development by ASTM
Committee G-1 are: (1) Standard Test Method for Determining the Corrosivity of
Artificial Soil, and (2) Standard Test Method for Determining the Chloride Threshold
Value for Corrosion of Steel in Concrete.
In summary, the benefits of ASTM to the ASM member are:
Improved Communication - A common language promotes understanding between
customers, manufacturers and distributors, organizations and associations, and
government agencies.
Lower cost and time savings - Using the standards brings new products, processes and
plants on- line sooner, avoids duplication of effort, reduces lead time and increases
purchasing power.
A quick response to customers and markets - Standards development moves as quickly
as the need dictates: many committees have accelerated standards programs.
Competitiveness. Professionals can help maintain their companies’ competitive edge in
the marketplace by participating in the development of world-renowned standards.
Quality, safety and reliability of products - Standards that establish acceptable
requirements, include proven methods and practices and define levels of product
performance promote high quality goods and services.
Professional development - Members have the opportunity to work with colleagues and
recognized in their field.
Technology transfer - Discussions at ASTM meetings help to bridge the gap between
research and development of new products and processes and commercial liability.
Table 1
Technical Subcommittees of Committee G01 on Corrosion of Metal
G01.02
G01.04
G01.05
G01.06
G01.08
G01.09
G01.10
G01.11
G01.12
G01.14
Terminology
Atmospheric Corrosion
Laboratory Corrosion Tests
Stress Corrosion Cracking and Corrosion Fatigue
Corrosion of Nuclear Materials
Corrosion in Natural Waters
Corrosion in Soils
Electrochemical Measurements in Corrosion Testing
In-Plant Corrosion Testing
Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel